Northeastern University has received funding for a Type 1 five-year Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program – University Partnership (NU STEP-UP) to increase the number of students receiving degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) disciplines. STEP-UP is a collaborative effort between Northeastern University’s Science, Engineering and Mathematics departments, two NSF-supported Research Centers (CenSSIS, The Bernard M. Gordon Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems and CHN, The Center for High Rate Nanomanufacturing) and three Boston area Community Colleges, Massachusetts Bay Community College, Middlesex Community College and Northern Essex Community College). Using research as the catalyst for engagement, STEP-UP will:

1. Create a sustainable STEM partnership between NU’s Science, Engineering and Mathematics departments and local Community Colleges by leveraging its two NSF-supported research centers.

2. Create a Partner Faculty Network (PFN), with representatives from all stakeholders, who will:

a) participate in working seminars that will introduce them to the latest pedagogical approaches on Teaching Learning and Assessment and help them implement these new approaches in their
own classrooms
b) share innovative STEM instructional models and practice
c) collaborate to bring STEM courses at Community Colleges in alignment with comparable courses at four-year institutions and develop common assessment tools to be utilized by faculty teaching STEM courses at NU and the partner Community Colleges.

3. Provide CC faculty the opportunity to immerse themselves in the research environment of the partnering Centers through seminars, cross institutional visits, and participation in the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) initiative.

4. Provide CC students access to research laboratories through expansion of summer research experiences, cross-institutional visits throughout the academic year, and participation in two Co-op (twelve months) experiences upon transfer to NU.

5. Develop a Transfer Bridge Program for CC students transitioning to Northeastern University, using as a model the successful Northeastern University Summer Bridge Program for entering freshman. In addition CC partners will be encouraged and supported to replicate the Summer Bridge Program.

6. Provide academic mentoring and research activities for all STEM students and share best practices with local partner institutions.

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation Award Number 0653090