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 2013 freshmen may sign up as Cohort 3 participants in the iCubed study beginning with New Student Day in April 13, 2013. Entering Fall 2013 freshmen may click on the following link to ENROLL.
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 2013 semester begins.
Student participants in iCubed@UMBC will receive one of five possible benefits (interventions):
- Community-based studying with other students (Team: Study Groups)
- Direct mentoring from professors in their majors (Team: Faculty Mentoring)
- One-on-one guidance from professional staff specific to career goals (Team: Staff Mentoring)
- Enrollment in a special active learning math course (Team: Active Learning)
- $50 UMBC Bookstore Certificate with access to the existing benefis and support available to all UMBC freshmen (Team: $ UMBC)
STEM Majors as defined by the iCubed project:
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Biological Sciences |
Computer Engineering |
* 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
For Cohort 2 - Spring 2013
Your input matters! Please plan to complete the very important iCubed end-of-the-year survey that will be sent to you electronically at the end of the semester. Thank you.
Team: Active Learning
Don't forget to provide your feedback in the end-of-the-year survey. Also, look for invitations to participate in Fall 2013 feedback sessions with Dr. Kathleen Dowell. Questions?
Contact Dr. Tashauna Felix at tfelix1@umbc.edu
Team: Faculty Mentoring
There is still time to work with your mentor if help is needed. Contact your mentor directly or Dr. Tashauna Felix at tfelix1@umbc.eduG.
Team: Staff Mentoring
Visit the group website at http://my.umbc.edu/groups/icubedstaffmentor and check your email for very important announcements and updates.
Team: Study Groups
Don't forget to register for the Study Group Raffle for free PIZZA on Study Day. Visit http://my.umbc.edu/groups/getsmartiesumbc or contact Dr. Felix at tfelix@umbc.edu.
Team: $ UMBC
There is still time for Cohort 2 participants to collect their $50 gift cards. Look for an email reminder soon or contact Mrs. Sutphin at sutphin@umc.edu to make arrangements. Don't forget to bring a photo ID for the pick up!
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Cohort 1 - iCubed Participants from the AY 2011-2012
Many thanks to those who participated in Spring 2013 focus groups about their freshman experiences with Dr. Kathleen Dowell. We appreciate your feedback!
Questions? Contact: icubed@umbc.edu