Lane College Awarded National Science Foundation Grant
(Jackson, TN-September 1, 2016) Lane College has received notification that it has been awarded a $400,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to fund a project designed to improve learning and retention of students in General Biology and Chemistry courses. The project, entitled Targeted Infusion Project: Infusion of Research and Peer-Led Team Learning to Enhance Student Engagement in Foundational Courses at Lane College, is under the direction of Project Director and Lane Biology Professor, Dr. Melanie Van Stry. The award begins on September 1, 2016, and ends August 31, 2019.
These dual goals of the project will be accomplished through the implementation of high impact, student-centered activities, including peer-led, team-learning within the lecture portion of each course, and course-based undergraduate research within the laboratory portion of each course.
In further explaining the details of the project, Dr. Van Stry stated, “Each year, we will select a group of upper-class students to serve as peer mentors. These students will receive leadership training through the Office of First-Year Experience and research training with faculty in the Biology and Chemistry Departments. Selected students will then serve as peer mentors for first and second-year students enrolled in General Biology and General Chemistry courses. The lecture courses will be changed from the traditional lecture style to a more student-centered approach, using peer-led team learning. Additionally, laboratory courses will be transformed from the traditional "cookbook" lab exercises, where the result is already known, to a real research project where students will make novel scientific discoveries. Moreover, this project will benefit the Lane College Biology and Chemistry faculty by providing an opportunity for them to pursue their research interests.”
Lane President Logan Hampton added, “I am thrilled and proud of the success that Dr. Van Stry and her faculty collaborators have achieved in preparing such an outstanding proposal. I thank the Lord for all of the knowledge and skills that they bring to Lane College. This project will significantly increase the number of our students participating in undergraduate research, improve student-learning of foundational skills and concepts, and provide students with the qualifications necessary for graduate and professional school.”
This project is a collaboration between the Lane College Biology and Chemistry Departments, and the Office of First-Year Experience.
