One of the activities in our approved Title V project includes the creation of a certificate in STEM Research.

The purpose of this certificate is to recognize students who have mastered research project design and management in a STEM field. All awardees are expected to have demonstrated, through project artifacts or acquisition of micro-credentials (badges), proficiency in STEM research skills and achievements through work done outside of (or across) existing academic courses. The typical experience would last 3 semesters or more, though the project and experience would dictate the exact timeline. These skills and achievements encompass:

• Preparing for work on a STEM research project
• Conducting research on the approved STEM project using appropriate methods and rigor
• Analyzing data and interpreting meaning from the approved STEM project
• Disseminating results from the approved STEM project to a professional audience for external validation

We’ve had four students nominated for this certificate so far, and hope to have more by graduation!