Research Overview and Goals
Research Knowledge
The collaborative research efforts at the Institute for Supporting Pathways and Research Knowledge in STEM (SPARK STEM Institute) increase participation in STEM colleges and schools regionally, nationally, and globally; and the research-based models being tested in K-12 schools in the Greater Alabama Black Belt involving various colleges and schools and in partnership with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) provide a unique opportunity for academic departments to be directly involved in strengthening pathways for students to ensure that students are college ready and succeed in STEM and in their STEM careers.
Pertinent Goals
1. Establish a researcher-practitioner-community partnership to foster research-based technical assistance in schools in the Greater Alabama Black Belt Region.
2.Study the barriers and issues faced by schools and develop sustainable solutions to prepare students for college and STEM workforce.
3.Study the barriers and issues faced by students and examine the feasibility of supplemental instruction and academic year programs, and tailor interventions to improve their college readiness, especially in English, mathematics, and science.
4.Engage STEM faculty to create and evaluate innovative research-based models for improving academic performance and social integration of students in STEM disciplines.
5.Serve as a hub for the incubation, development, and implementation of ideas for complex grant proposals and major projects and initiatives and their institutionalization.
6.Evaluate and disseminate SPARK STEM Institute interventions and their impact.