UTTC Community STEM Engagement Initiative

In 2019, United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) launched the Community STEM Engagement Initiative through support from the NSF Tribal Colleges & Universities Program’s (TCUP) Targeted STEM Infusion Project (TSIP) strand. The project brought UTTC individuals and departments together to transform the way that the institution approached STEM outreach and built a lasting culture of STEM community engagement. The project was managed by UTTC’s Intertribal Research & Resource Center (IRRC) and led by the IRRC’s Community STEM Outreach Coordinator.

Improved Outcomes for Undergraduate Students: The project enhanced STEM undergraduate training through their participation in formal and informal STEM outreach programming by supporting the vision of UTTC to build cultural, educated, and healthy leaders who empower and serve their communities. Undergraduates engaged in planning and designing STEM outreach programming, including developing lasting infrastructure such as the Interpretive Nature Trail, a Mobile STEM Outreach unit, and open-air sustainability classroom. Undergraduates led STEM outreach events by directing small groups, interacting with the public, and working one-on-one with K-12 students.

Significant outcomes were observed from undergraduate students who engaged with the IRRC and Community STEM Engagement Initiative as leaders and STEM module content developers. Of 33 student leaders who have participated at this level, 8 are completing their AS degree at UTTC, 21 graduated (17 attained a BS degree, 4 attained an AS degrees). Of 17 BS graduates, 5 entered graduate programs while 11 are employed in their field. Of the 4 AS graduates that did not yet complete a BS degree, 2 moved on to BS Engineering degrees and 2 moved to BS Environmental Science degrees.

Pass rates for all Mathematics courses were substantially higher for student outreach leaders (79.8%) than the rest of the institution’s students (61.5%), despite most participants taking much higher-level mathematics requirements than their peers.

Student outreach leaders also performed better in all courses during this time (88.5% pass rate) than those that did not participate in STEM outreach (70.9% pass rate).

Enhancing Research Infrastructure and Capacity: The project brought NSF STEM content to the communities we serve in innovative and impactful ways and at critical times. It also established UTTC’s first makerspace to encourage exploration and development of critical thinking skills. STEM outreach modules have been developed to communicate concepts and content to wide and varied audiences. These modules include unique topics pulled from active UTTC research that may be more relevant to our communities. STEM outreach modules will continue to be used into the future and are often easily adapted to various settings. The UTTC STEM outreach ecosystem has been energized as a new understanding of the value of STEM outreach to communities has been observed, making community members aware of the activities of the institution, and building new collaborations that lead to authentic, lasting partnerships. The project provided lasting impacts to UTTC’s physical STEM resources including the Solar Roller mobile outreach trailer, the Interpretive Trail, and open-air classrooms.

Broader Community Impacts

Through the efforts associated with the Community STEM Engagement Initiative (i.e., TSIP award), thousands of community members have received STEM programming highlighting the work of UTTC and the IRRC, general STEM awareness, and regional topics of interest.

The project contributed valuable knowledge regarding the impacts on undergraduates who lead and design STEM outreach efforts. Not only are UTTC students benefitting from exposure to research experience programs, but they are learning skills in communicating science to the public, working with K-12 students, and managing often busy situations.

The project brought together students and faculty from various STEM programs to design and develop new modules and programs. These interactions are proving to be beneficial in spurring new ideas and activities. For example, faculty from Environmental Science, Business, and Computer Science became involved in data science and coding activities which led to a partnership with STEM research faculty for a data science bootcamp and eventually to development of an environmental database.

The project established new networks, collaborations, and partnerships with local and tribal school systems and teachers, community groups, and industry partners. The Interpretive Trail continues to expand and flourish as new signage and new activities increase each year.