Five Benefits (Interventions)

Internal Advisory Board

External Advisory Board

NSF I3

Personnel

 

 

 

 

The Five Possible iCubed Benefits...

iCubed study participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of the project’s five benefits (interventions), which are:

Community-based Study Groups - "Study with other students in your dorm or who also commute to UMBC" 

Study groups represent a proven learning strategy that promotes a deeper understanding of concepts, increased academic achievement, and improved analytical and collaborative skills.  Students assigned to this intervention receive special support and encouragement to form, join, and sustain study groups during their freshman year.  Dr. Tashauna Felix, the study group coordinator, sponsors various events throughout the academic year to assist students in establishing study groups, identifying study group members, finding study spaces, and addressing any study group challenges.  These events help participants meet other UMBC students who are majoring in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields.  Weekly office hours are also held to provide time for students to meet one-on-one with the study group coordinator.  Dr. Felix encourages students to “Get Smarties™“ and form study groups.  She can often be found with a basket of the wrapped candy treats and special bookmarks with her contact information: tfelix1@umbc.edu or (410) 455-3173.

Proactive Faculty Mentoring - "Direct mentoring from professors in your major"

The connection between highly accomplished faculty members in STEM disciplines and the students they mentor is a proven academic and career success strategy that is being explored in the iCubed project.  Students assigned to the Faculty Proactive Mentoring academic support initiative receive mentoring by a UMBC faculty mentor with expertise in their declared majors.  Faculty mentors hold several group mentoring sessions over the academic year to provide students with a variety of strategies for success in the major.  The academic progress of these students is monitored and students are encouraged to schedule one-on-one sessions with their mentors, as appropriate.  Faculty members, who receive administrative support from Dr. Tashauna Felix, will serveas iCubed mentor advocates for the 2012-2013 academic year.  Questions about the Proactive Faculty Mentoring intervention can be directed to tfelix1@umbc.edu or (410) 455-3173.

Staff Proactive Mentoring - "One-on-one guidance from professional staff specific to career goals"

The relationship between an experienced professional staff mentor and the STEM students she mentors is another academic success strategy that is being explored in the iCubed project. Students assigned to the Staff Proactive Mentoring academic support initiative receive support from Michelle Bulger, a professional life sciences advisor in the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences.  Like the faculty mentor initiative, Ms. Bulger will hold several group mentoring sessions over the academic year to provide students with a variety of strategies for academic success.  The academic progress of these students is being monitored and students are being encouraged to schedule one-on-one sessions with their staff mentor, as appropriate. Ms. Bulger’s contact information is mbulger@umbc.edu or (410) 455-5850.

Active Learning  - "Enrollment in a special active learning math course"

Active learning instruction in foundational mathematics courses is an established academic success strategy that is being explored through the iCubed project. Students assigned to the Active Learning initiative take one discussion section in the CNMS Active Science Teaching and Learning Environment (CASTLE) as part of a MATH 150, 151, 152, or 155 course.  These discussion sessions challenge students to take an active role in practicing and mastering course content to improve their overall success in other STEM coursework.  Questions about the Active Learning intervention should be directed to icubed@umbc.edu.

Treatment as Usual - "$50 UMBC Bookstore Certificate"

Students selected for the iCubed "treatment as usual" group receive a $50 gift card to the UMBC bookstore and have the opportunity to access existing UMBC programs that are available to all university freshmen. Questions about the 'Treatment as Usual" group should be directed to icubed@umbc.edu.

All iCubed participants will be asked to take an end-of-the-year survey about their first year activities at UMBC as part of the study.

Participants may opt out of the iCubed study at any time but they may not join the study after the fall semester begins. 

Advisors will help iCubed participants register for appropriate course sections in MATH 150, 151, 152, or 155 to protect the study’s integrity.

Questions should be directed to icubed@umbc.edu.