The College Ambition Program: New Perspectives on STEM Preparedness

• In Event: Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: Science Teaching and Learning SIG Poster Session

Abstract

This paper highlights the College Ambition Program (CAP), a NSF-funded study that aims to create college-going cultures in urban and rural Midwestern high schools. Specifically aiming to create participation within STEM fields, CAP serves predominantly low-income and minority students who are underrepresented within these fields. CAP’s success rate in its current form is discussed, as well as the innovative improvements that will be implemented throughout 2017-2018. Though CAP increased overall college attendance in CAP schools by eight percentage points from 2013 to 2014, CAP aims to improve its impact by measuring student social and emotional experiences via ESM through a digital platform and providing a tiered network of support which connects students with businesses, universities, and near-age college mentors.

Authors

• Lindsey Young, Michigan State University

• Christopher R Klager, Michigan State University

• Sandra Lynn Waldron, Michigan State University