Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences
Our mission is to increase underrepresented students’ success in STEM degree programs and careers, and deliver high-quality teacher professional development.
Our vision is to provide a broad range of pipeline programs to help underrepresented students succeed in STEM degrees and careers. We provide professional development resources that create better teachers.
Retrieved from http://smile.oregonstate.edu/mission
Our mission is to increase underrepresented students’ success in STEM degree programs and careers, and deliver high-quality teacher professional development.
Our vision is to provide a broad range of pipeline programs to help underrepresented students succeed in STEM degrees and careers. We provide professional development resources that create better teachers.
Retrieved from http://smile.oregonstate.edu/mission
My Projects:
SMILE Summer Bridge Program
SMILE's Summer Bridge Program at Oregon State University gives incoming freshmen the opportunity to prepare themselves for their transition to college. The program especially focuses on serving students from underserved groups, helping them to gain the skills needed to be successful in college and allowing them to think critically about the importance of higher education. Additionally, students learn about the research and resources available at OSU in order to promote the support and retention of students.
My role in the Summer Bridge program involved reviewing applicants, designing the field day activities, and reaching out to guest speakers. I managed the extensive list of students who applied, sorting and carefully reading through their applications. I also created activities and managed the logistical aspects of planning a field day celebration for the students. Additionally, I contacted members of the OSU community to serve as guest speakers for this program, thoughtfully selecting those who would impart valuable information and encouragement to the students.
My role in the Summer Bridge program involved reviewing applicants, designing the field day activities, and reaching out to guest speakers. I managed the extensive list of students who applied, sorting and carefully reading through their applications. I also created activities and managed the logistical aspects of planning a field day celebration for the students. Additionally, I contacted members of the OSU community to serve as guest speakers for this program, thoughtfully selecting those who would impart valuable information and encouragement to the students.
Reflection
As I worked on this project, I began to reflect on how this experience related to my personal goals. When choosing participants for this program, we had to focus on students who met specific criteria. These included students who were racial/ethnic minorities, low-income, from rural areas, and who were first generation students.
An important question arose as I considered the applicants to this program; Why are these criteria used?
Thinking about this question, I became aware that each of these factors are barriers to education. By supporting students who face these challenges, our program helps students to overcome the barriers they face in their pursuit of higher education. This related very closely to my personal passion for promoting the equitable access to education. By helping students build community at OSU, become familiar with the university system and experience, and provide financial assistance, our program provides the support that these students need to fulfill their potential as college students.
An important question arose as I considered the applicants to this program; Why are these criteria used?
Thinking about this question, I became aware that each of these factors are barriers to education. By supporting students who face these challenges, our program helps students to overcome the barriers they face in their pursuit of higher education. This related very closely to my personal passion for promoting the equitable access to education. By helping students build community at OSU, become familiar with the university system and experience, and provide financial assistance, our program provides the support that these students need to fulfill their potential as college students.
Teacher's Workshop and Curriculum Kits
I also lead an ecology lesson with elementary and middle school teachers, utilizing lesson materials that I developed. These experience really taught me a lot about how to engage individuals in learning experiences, group interaction, and how to lead large groups in constructive discussion. In each of these activities, the lessons and team building, it was essential that I took in the feedback of the teachers as they experienced the lesson.
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The biggest event of my internship was the August Teacher's Workshop. In this 3-day program, my mentors and I guided elementary, middle, and high school teachers through interactive workshops focused on ecology and bioengineering.
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Overall, I have to say that the best part of the teacher's workshop was getting to meet the teachers and hear their experiences. It was pretty amazing to hear how passionate they were about their work, the success of their students, and the challenges they faced in their schools. Talking to the teachers really impacted me and gave me a greater understanding of how essential their roles are to students.
Reflection
This project, in particular, gave me a clearer understanding of the wider purpose of my role here at the SMILE Program. SMILE often refers to their program as a "pipeline" that leads underrepresented students to college, but what exactly does that mean?
The answer lies in the work we do with the teachers through programs such as the Teacher Workshops. By reaching out and supporting teachers, we are able to make an impact on students from the elementary level all the way through high school. The support that we provide elementary through high school teachers allows these teachers to then better prepare their students for college. Once these students begin their college transition, SMILE is there again with programs such as their Summer Bridge to help support these students every step of the way. When looking at the wider picture, it is clear to see how SMILE is able to make an impact on student's success in getting to college by not just supporting them once they get there, but also preparing them early on through the influence of their teachers.
Being a part of this project really developed my understanding of what goes into creating an outreach program focused on supporting students on their journey to college. I found it especially relevant to me because programs such as this are exactly what I hope to be a part of in my professional career. The knowledge I gained of how to reach out to the students, how to make the biggest and most meaningful impact, and how to measure the success and efficacy of a program will be extremely valuable to me as I move forward in my career. The main takeaway that I gained from this experience was the importance of getting teachers involved. Initially, my focus was on reaching out and supporting students. In working with the SMILE program, however, I realized that bringing teachers on board is an essential piece in helping prepare students for college. By educating teachers on ways to support their students, especially underrepresented student populations, a program generates a much wider and more constant impact on the students. It also creates a sense of community among the teachers, the students, and the program that aims to support them all.
The answer lies in the work we do with the teachers through programs such as the Teacher Workshops. By reaching out and supporting teachers, we are able to make an impact on students from the elementary level all the way through high school. The support that we provide elementary through high school teachers allows these teachers to then better prepare their students for college. Once these students begin their college transition, SMILE is there again with programs such as their Summer Bridge to help support these students every step of the way. When looking at the wider picture, it is clear to see how SMILE is able to make an impact on student's success in getting to college by not just supporting them once they get there, but also preparing them early on through the influence of their teachers.
Being a part of this project really developed my understanding of what goes into creating an outreach program focused on supporting students on their journey to college. I found it especially relevant to me because programs such as this are exactly what I hope to be a part of in my professional career. The knowledge I gained of how to reach out to the students, how to make the biggest and most meaningful impact, and how to measure the success and efficacy of a program will be extremely valuable to me as I move forward in my career. The main takeaway that I gained from this experience was the importance of getting teachers involved. Initially, my focus was on reaching out and supporting students. In working with the SMILE program, however, I realized that bringing teachers on board is an essential piece in helping prepare students for college. By educating teachers on ways to support their students, especially underrepresented student populations, a program generates a much wider and more constant impact on the students. It also creates a sense of community among the teachers, the students, and the program that aims to support them all.