For the win: Invest in your future with iCubed!

iCubed* is a unique opportunity at UMBC for eligible first year students who are pursuing majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). iCubed is a grant-funded study examining the relative effectiveness of four successful STEM student activities. The interventions represent tried and true initiatives employed by various high cost scholarship programs at UMBC.  The purpose of the study is to establish which activities are both successful and cost effective for scaling up to benefit large numbers of future first year STEM students.
 
Entering Fall 2012 freshmen may sign up for this year's iCubed study by enrolling online.

Final eligibilty to participate will be determine by the iCubed staff who will look at each enrollee's intent to declare a STEM major, placement in MATH 106 (Algebra) or higher, and the potential for receiving other structured scholarship support. Students will be contacted by email about their placement before the Fall 2012 semester begins.

Student participants in iCubed@UMBC will receive one of five possible benefits (interventions):

  • Community-based studying with other students
  • Direct mentoring from professors in their majors
  • One-on-one guidance from professional staff specific to career goals
  • Enrollment in a special active learning math course
  • $50 UMBC Bookstore Certificate with treatment as usual

STEM Majors as defined by the iCubed project:

Biological Sciences
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Chemistry Education
Mathematics
Statistics
Physics
Physics Education
Psychology

Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Chemical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Environmental Studies
Environmental Sciences
Geography
Information Systems
Business Technology Administration

 

* iCubed is the abbreviated project name for the "Evaluation, Integration and Institutionalization of Initiatives to Enhance STEM Student Success." The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding this important study over a five-year period beginning late Fall 2010 and we expect to invite more than 2,000 students to participate.  Dr. Philip Rous, UMBC’s Provost, is leading the study. Per the protocol, participants may opt out of the iCubed study at any time but they may not join the study after the fall semester begins. 

Questions should be directed to icubed@umbc.edu.

Announcements

Welcome Week Activities for the 2012-2013 iCubed@UMBC Cohort -
Monday, August 27
4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Bring campus IDs to get your free iCubed@UMBC Team t-shirts at the following campus locations

Team: Active Learning
University Center - Room 115D
Come learn why the CASTLE will be your round table at UMBC this year

Team: Faculty Mentoring
Academic IV Bldg. - Room 003
Come to Lecture Hall 4 to investigate the power of having a professor as your mentor this year

Team: Staff Mentoring
Physics Bldg. - Room 101
Please Note: *** NEW LOCATION ***
Come to Lecture Hall 6 to investigate the many advantages of having a professional staff advisor as your advocate this year

Team: Study Groups
Meyerhoff Chemistry Bldg. - Room 030
Come to Lecture Hall 2 to learn why you have a study group coach who often carries a large basket filled with SmartiesTM

Team: $ (Treatment as Usual)
Administration Building - Room 101
Come to Lecture Hall 3 to learn why you will not have far to search for a small treasure

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Attention iCubed Participants from the 2011-2012 Academic Year:

All Cohort 1 iCubed participants are urged to complete a voluntary survey regarding their freshmen year. Monthly prize drawings are being held through Sept. 1. Questions? Contact: icubed@umbc.edu