Cleveland State University Operation STEM Welcome Students Teaching

Cleveland State University Operation STEM Welcome! Students Teaching Students: Really, Why? Operation STEM A National Science Foundation (NSF) STEP Grant Tim Lorion & Matt Lysyj The Youngstown State University Undergraduate Mathematics Conference February 22, 2014 February 22 nd, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM Purpose of NSF STEP Grants & Operation STEM National Science Foundation-STEP* grants: to increase the number of STEM graduates in U. S. Colleges and Universities. Operation STEM: to increase the number of students who successfully complete the Pre-Calculus to Calculus II sequence and graduate with a STEM degree. February 22, 2014 *STEM Talent Expansion Program

Cleveland State University Operation STEM Problem � Pre-calculus and Calculus are the “choke point” for STEM Majors � For the past 6 years at Cleveland State University, the highest Pre-calculus I pass rate was 66%. February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM MTH 167 Pre-calculus I Pass Rates by Term Enrollment * Withdrawals (Percentage & Number ) Pass Rate (Percentage & Number Passed with C or >) Fall 2007 140 14% (19) 49% (69) Spring 2008 105 9% (9) 50% (52) Fall 2008 138 19% (26) 46% (64) Spring 2009 126 17% (21) 49% (62) Fall 2009 134 16% (21) 51% (68) Spring 2010 121 17% (21) 60% (73) Fall 2010 122 16% (20) 56% (68) Spring 2011 94 23% (22) 51% (48) Fall 2011 127 17% (22) 57% (72) Spring 2012 73 30% (22) 40% (29) Fall 2012 134 9% (12) 66% (89) Spring 2013 93 13% (12) 57% (53) *Includes all official and unofficial withdrawals for MTH 167. February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM CSU’s Math Department Solution Target FTFT* Freshman who plan to major in STEM, and we provide them with: • preparation & assistance in Pre-calculus and Calculus • mandatory 2 extra hours/week in supplemental class (SPT Session) • STEM Peer Teacher (SPT) instruction, mentoring and attention and fun! February 22, 2014 *FTFT = First Time Full Time

Cleveland State University Operation STEM Students Teaching Students Mentoring Instruction Attention February 22, 2014 Fun!

Cleveland State University Operation STEM SPT Semester Responsibilities 10 paid hours per week per semester § 3 contact hours with professor & Precalc students in lecture § 2 contact hours with students in SPT session § 5 hours outside lecture & SPT Session, planning, creating study/practice materials, mentoring, etc. February 22, 2014 May 10. 2013

Cleveland State University Operation STEM How DO Students Teach Other Students? • They act as SPTs (STEM Peer Teachers)! • Assist professor during the scheduled lecture class • Assess students’ strengths and weaknesses through observation and prerequisite assessments. February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM How do Students Teach Other Students? Continued… • Target weaknesses and improve strengths during 2 one-hour mandatory sessions per week. • SPT sessions consist of helpful review, as well as mentoring, all from student peers who have had previous success in Pre-calculus & Calculus courses. February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM How does Peer Teaching work so well? • This is a new approach for CSU’s Math Department. • Different than any other “study session. ” • Students respond extremely well to learning from their peers. • Find it easier to ask questions to other students. February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM How does Peer Teaching work so well? Continued… • Act as somewhat of a liaison from student to professor. • Seen as an authority figure and respected, yet also seen as a colleague on their level. February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM Benefits of Being a Peer Teacher • Networking • Relationship with fellow SPTs and students • Interaction with professors, chair and university administrators • Reinforcement of own learning by instructing others February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM Benefits of Being a Peer Teacher Continued… • Teaching education experience • Personally rewarding • Resume builder February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM Benefits of Peer Teaching for the Students: • More personal relationship. • Been there, done that! • Day-to-day support. • Mentor, not just a teacher. February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM MTH 167 Pre-calculus I Pass Rates by Term Enrollment * Withdrawals (Percentage & Number ) Fall 2007 140 14% (19) 49% (69) Spring 2008 105 9% (9) 50% (52) Fall 2008 138 19% (26) 46% (64) Spring 2009 126 17% (21) 49% (62) Fall 2009 134 16% (21) 51% (68) Spring 2010 121 17% (21) 60% (73) Fall 2010 122 16% (20) 56% (68) Spring 2011 94 23% (22) 51% (48) Fall 2011 127 17% (22) 57% (72) Spring 2012 73 30% (22) 40% (29) Fall 2012 134 9% (12) 66% (89) Spring 2013 93 13% (12) 57% (53) Fall 2013** 152 5% (8) 81% (123) February 22, 2014 Pass Rate (Percentage & Number Passed with C or >) *Includes all official and unofficial withdrawals for MTH 167.

Cleveland State University Operation STEM 2013 MTH 167 Pre-calculus I Survey Feedback If you took another mathematics course, would you take it with or without the SPT session? sessions? WITHOUT February 22, 2014 66% 34%

Cleveland State University Operation STEM 2013 MTH 167 Pre-calculus I Survey Feedback Did you benefit from the SPT sessions? 83% 17% YES February 22, 2014 NO

Cleveland State University Operation STEM Op. STEM Scholars & SPTs January 2014 February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM Who We Are? Matt Lysyj Tim Lorion Sophomore Junior Mathematics Major Civil Engineering Major Education Minor First Semester with Operation STEM 2 nd Semester with Operation STEM February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM THANK YOU! February 22, 2014

Cleveland State University Operation STEM Questions and Answers February 22, 2014