By: bryan

bryan — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:01:50 +0000

As someone who has worked along side a STEM dept (literally next door) and had many lunches and discussions with workers, I’d say those findings are close to representative in my old institution, however, I’d debate if they are necessarily bad… especially since there are no comparison stats to non-STEM students. First, point, regarding the weeding out classes: every institution has different reasons for intro classes with high academic standards. My institution emphasized the need for students getting into the program to actually succeed. They wanted the percent of students one year in to be the percentage that graduate. They did this by requiring high level classes in the beginning to turn away undecided students, they wanted dedication from the beginning. The second point was more student oriented. They wanted students to know the student next to them was equally dedicated if not more so than they are. So when the inevitable group projects came around, you knew you could count on the seriousness of all who are involved. This was also touted as the college’s way of dealing with any slacker problems. On the other issue of students getting discouraged… again, i’d like to see factual comparisons to non-STEM students. But I can tell you this…Many students do get discouraged at some point through their program, it could be the first year or final year or anywhere in between. It’s all part of college and pushing through it. Highlighting stats of one group without comparing it to another proves nothing.

Comments on: American Universities Hinder Diversity Among STEM Students

By: bryan