VCU awarded $1.8 million grant to advance math, science learning

By Mike Frontiero and Sally Hunnicutt

RICHMOND, Va. – The United States Department of Education has awarded Virginia Commonwealth University a five-year, $1.8 million grant to advance learning in introductory math, chemistry and biology courses at VCU. The grant proposal, titled “Project PRISM:  Producing Results in Science and Mathematics,” also received funding to centralize campus learning support resources to assist students in these classes.

"Project PRISM represents a concerted effort to expand and coordinate efforts that enrich student learning in the critically important areas of math and science," said Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., VCU President.  

It is not unusual for freshmen and transfer students at any university to struggle academically in their general education courses, particularly their introductory science and mathematics courses, according to John H. Borgard, Associate Dean of the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences. These gateway courses serve as the entry to all allied health, science and engineering related majors at VCU. Nearly all VCU undergraduates are required to complete at least two of these courses to fulfill general education requirements.

The grant will advance undergraduate education in science and math through faculty development, academic programs, technology and student services. VCU will revise gateway science and math courses and establish a campus-wide learning center in the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences.

The revisions are intended to improve student retention rates, increase six-year graduation rates, and improve academic achievement in the gateway science and math courses. In the process, students will learn more, learn better and learn more persistently. 

The objectives of Project PRISM include:

·        Improving student performance in gateway science and math courses by integrating revised course outcomes, learning objectives, and computer assisted personalized assignment assessment system and linking assessment activities to course outcomes and learning objectives.

·        Increasing the rate of students who succeed in class by incorporating learning support activities.

·        Improving the academic performance of students by incorporating active learning and upgraded technology in gateway science and math lecture classes.

·        Increasing the percentage of students who complete general chemistry by restructuring math and chemistry placement testing and establishing an integrated introductory math-science course. 

·        Improving the freshman retention and six-year graduation rates.

The grant proposal was developed and written by College of Humanities and Sciences Assistant Dean and Director of Academic Advising Jon S. Steingass, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry Assistant Chair and Associate Professor Sally S. Hunnicutt, Ph.D., and Department of Mathematics Instructor Kim Jones.