HSI Pilot Project: Applying a Research-Based Learning Approach to Enhance Biomanufacturing Skills

HSI 试点项目：应用基于研究的学习方法来提高生物制造技能

• 批准号: 2345033
• 负责人: Jikai Zhao
• 金额: $ 19.98万
• 依托单位: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2024-03-15 至 2026-02-28
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2345033&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: HSI; Pilot; Project; Applying; Research; HSI; Pilot; Project; Applying; Research

With support from the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program), this Track 1 pilot project aims to expose students to fundamental knowledge of biotechnologies at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. There is a considerable and growing demand for a biomanufacturing workforce in the United States. Biomanufacturing serves as a source of high-paying jobs and can support strong supply chains. This project's research-based approach will use active learning practices to involve students in a sequence of engaging experiences across three semesters. Students will take a leading role in identifying a biomanufacturing problem, gathering information from existing sources, conducting research activities, analyzing experimental data, and proposing reasonable solutions. By shifting the emphasis from passive learning to active engagement, this approach aims to encourage STEM participation, collaboration, critical thinking, and the practical application of theoretical knowledge to address real-world research challenges. Students will be equipped with the skills necessary to become problem solvers and enduring learners in a variety of fields.The goal of this project is to foster a knowledgeable, engaged, and empowered workforce committed to applying biomanufacturing technologies to solve challenges in food and agricultural fields. The development of environmentally sustainable and cost-effective methods for upgrading biomass will be introduced as a research theme. Students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of biotechnologies through a twelve-week spring seminar series. They will then spend eight weeks during the summer learning how to design experiments, operate equipment, analyze data, report results, and employ theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems. Finally, a six-week symposium will be organized in the fall to showcase research discoveries and gather feedback. The project will host a career workshop designed to assist students in preparing for graduate school or the workforce. By engaging in this program, the students will enhance their ability to enter the STEM workforce and make valuable contributions to society. In addition to promoting a sustainable economy, the project intends to expand STEM students' involvement in biomanufacturing, thereby cultivating their capacity for critical thinking and collaboration. Project evaluation efforts will identify effective practices and allow the project team to refine promising approaches, strengthening the potential for adoption at other institutions. This project is funded by the HSI Program, which aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education, broaden participation in STEM, and build capacity at HSIs.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

在不断改善的本科STEM教育的支持下：西班牙裔服务机构（HSI计划），该曲目1试点项目旨在使学生在德克萨斯州里奥格兰德大学的生物技术知识中接触基本知识。在美国，对生物制造劳动力的需求不断增长。生物制造是高薪工作的来源，可以支持强大的供应链。该项目基于研究的方法将使用积极的学习实践，使学生参与三个学期的一系列吸引人的经验。学生将在确定生物制造问题，从现有来源收集信息，进行研究活动，分析实验数据并提出合理解决方案方面发挥领导作用。通过将重点从被动学习转变为积极参与，这种方法旨在鼓励STEM参与，协作，批判性思维以及理论知识的实际应用以应对现实世界研究的挑战。学生将具备成为解决问题者并在各个领域中持久学习者所需的技能。该项目的目的是培养知识渊博，参与和有能力的劳动力，致力于应用生物制造技术来解决食品和农业领域的挑战。将作为研究主题引入环境可持续性和成本效益的升级生物量的方法。学生将通过为期十二周的春季研讨会系列获得有关生物技术的全面知识。然后，他们将在夏季学习如何设计实验，操作设备，分析数据，报告结果并利用理论知识来解决现实世界中的问题。最后，将在秋季举办一次六周的研讨会，以展示研究发现并收集反馈。该项目将举办一个职业研讨会，旨在帮助学生为研究生院或劳动力做准备。通过参与该计划，学生将增强他们进入STEM劳动力并为社会做出宝贵贡献的能力。除了促进可持续经济外，该项目还打算扩大STEM学生参与生物制造的参与，从而培养他们进行批判性思维和协作的能力。项目评估工作将确定有效的实践，并使项目团队能够完善有希望的方法，从而增强在其他机构中采用的潜力。该项目由HSI计划提供资金，该计划旨在增强本科STEM教育，扩大参与STEM并在HSIS上建立能力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并被认为是值得通过基金会的知识分子优点和更广泛的影响审查标准通过评估来获得支持的。