STEM
2,526 Biology Students
500 Chemistry Students
3,242 Computer Science Students
2,003 Engineering Students
60 Geology Students
126 Physics Students
STEM Education is in Demand
The emphasis on encouraging students to choose STEM fields is in response to a national need for STEM graduates. A 2012 report recommended that post-secondary institutions produce 1 million more STEM graduates in the next decade so the United States could remain a viable innovator and economic competitor internationally.
STEM Education Strategic Plan
The STEM Education Strategic Plan, Charting a Course for Success: America’s Strategy for STEM Education, published in December 2018, sets out a federal strategy for the next five years based on a vision for a future where all Americans will have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education and the United States will be the global leader in STEM literacy, innovation, and employment. It represents an urgent call to action for a nationwide collaboration with learners, families, educators, communities, and employers—a “North Star” for the STEM community as it collectively charts a course for the Nation’s success.
History
In 2006, a national debate ensued about the declining state of STEM education in the United States. It was noted that if the United States was going to continue to be a major contender in the world market place, the talent pool of scientists, engineers, mathematicians and technologists not only needed to be replenished but also expanded. In 2007, the America COMPETES Act became law. The act was designed to create opportunities and meaningfully promote excellence in technology, education and science, with a specific emphasis on promoting research in science and engineering and STEM education from kindergarten through postdoctoral education.
In 2007, the University System of Georgia announced its STEM Initiative led by the Office of Educational Access and Success. The USG STEM Initiative is designed to improve student access and success in the STEM fields and enhance instructional capabilities of STEM faculty in Georgia’s postsecondary institutions. USG institutions and partners in Prekindergarten through 12th-grade systems work to implement the goals of the STEM initiative, which are to increase:
- The number of P-12 students who prepare for and are interested in STEM majors in college.
- The success rates and number of students in college who pursue STEM disciplines.
- The number of teachers who are prepared in science and mathematics.
STEM INITIATIVES
MESA Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement MESA is an academic preparation program that assists educationally disadvantaged students to excel in mathematics and science and to complete baccalaureate degrees in STEM. Faculty advisor: Dr. Janna Blum jblum@gsu.edu
PLSAMP Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation This scholars program has helped propel the academic pursuits and careers of countless Perimeter College students and alumni. Peach State LSAMP, funded by the National Science Foundation, is an ambitious initiative aimed at increasing the number of Georgia’s underrepresented minority students who complete undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Faculty advisor: Margaret Major mmajor@gsu.edu
Popular STEAM Talks (YouTube)
S-STEM This S-STEM Scholarship program at Georgia State University provides financial, academic, and professional development support to Juniors, and Seniors Majoring in Biology, Chemistry or Neuroscience.
STEM Resource Centers (SRC)
Decatur
Room SC-2140
The SRC at Decatur Campus is open to all Perimeter students for co-curricular and extracurricular activities. The STEM Resource Center has many resources including 3D printing, computer stations, white boards, TV for screensharing, and more. The computers provide access to printing (limited per student) and access to extensive software provided by the university. It is also available for tutoring sessions, study group reservations, clubs’ weekly meetings, and spotlight events.
Contact Lyly Nguyen (lnguyen106@gsu.edu) if you are interested in 3D printing at Decatur or if you would like to use the room for your club or meeting.
Clarkston
Room CC-1180
The SRC at Clarkston Campus serves as an ideal meeting place form STEM students and their professors. Whenever the doors are open, students are welcome to use any of the nine available computers or use the common area for study groups. The STEM Resource Center is hosted by faculty holding their office hours and they are happy to help students with any STEM course. The three 3D printers housed are free to use once you’ve passed an online quiz in iCollege. Contact Dr. Scott Tichenor (stichenor@gsu.edu) if you are interested in 3D printing at Clarkston or if you would like to use the room for your club or meeting.
Newton
Room N1-3
The SRC at Newton Campus provides 3D print services for students and faculty of Newton Campus. The STEM Resource Center is staffed by faculty and trained work study students. All personnel can help people with print requests, aiding them as they formulate project ideas Training services also are accessible online through EXLAB Makerspace website or on a walk-in basis. The SRC is available for tutoring services, study hours or faculty office hours. Faculty can also schedule projects or class hours in the space.
Contact Professor Mary Beth Davison (mdavison@gsu.edu) if you are interested in 3D printing at Newton or if you would like to use the room for your club or meeting.
STUDENT STEM-FOCUSED CLUBS
- Pre-professional Chemistry Club—Faculty advisor: Luise Strange DeSoria, lstrangedesoria1@gsu.edu
- Pre-Med club –Faculty advisor: Dr. Sylvester Burton sburton@gsu.edu
- Pre-Dental club—Faculty advisor: Mark Graves mgraves1@gsu.edu
- Earth Club/Earth Week (Decatur Campus) Faculty advisor: Susannah Lomant, slomant1@gsu.edu
- SPACE Club— Faculty advisor: Dr. Jay Dunn, jdunn1@gsu.edu
- Women in STEM Experience (WiSE)-Faculty advisors: Dr. Janna Blum, jblum@gsu.edu, Dr. Melody Kelley, mkelley21@gsu.edu Sahithya Reddivari, sreddivari@gsu.edu,
- Young Physicians Initiative (YPI) — Faculty advisor: Mark Graves mgraves1@gsu.edu
FAQs
All Perimeter College students who have selected one of the STEM pathways are eligible to participate in STEM-related activities.
Are scholarships available for students?
Yes, scholarships are available through various STEM programs at Perimeter College. Check “Resources for Students” under the “Resources” tab to see some of the available programs.
There are three STEM Centers located across the college. If you are interested in working as a tutor in one of the centers, please contact the STEM Office for more information and the application process.
Please check the calendar of events.
Can I participate as a part-time student?
Yes, you can participate. Many of the STEM activities (i.e., STEM Week, Popular STEAM Talks, on-campus presentations, etc.) are open to all students.
Please visit the Atlanta Campus STEM Office website – http://cas.gsu.edu/stem/
Please see the iCollege page for the schedule of when AEWs and tutoring are available
Please see the iCollege page for the paperwork to complete and the criteria. Submit required forms to either Professor McGinnis or Professor Fitzpatrick by the deadline.
STEM Contacts
Phone: 678-891-2895
Dr. Paulos Yohannes
History
In 2006, a national debate ensued about the declining state of STEM education in the United States. It was noted that if the United States was going to continue to be a major contender in the world market place, the talent pool of scientists, engineers, mathematicians and technologists not only needed to be replenished but also expanded. In 2007, the America COMPETES Act became law. The act was designed to create opportunities and meaningfully promote excellence in technology, education and science, with a specific emphasis on promoting research in science and engineering and STEM education from kindergarten through postdoctoral education.
In 2007, the University System of Georgia announced its STEM Initiative led by the Office of Educational Access and Success. The USG STEM Initiative is designed to improve student access and success in the STEM fields and enhance instructional capabilities of STEM faculty in Georgia’s postsecondary institutions. USG institutions and partners in Prekindergarten through 12th-grade systems work to implement the goals of the STEM initiative, which are to increase:
- The number of P-12 students who prepare for and are interested in STEM majors in college.
- The success rates and number of students in college who pursue STEM disciplines.
- The number of teachers who are prepared in science and mathematics.
Goals of the Permieter College STEM Initiatives
The goals of the Perimeter College STEM Initiatives align with the USG STEM Initiative. The goals of the office are to:
- Increase the success rate of students in STEM “gatekeeping” courses.
- Provide educational opportunities and support for students choosing STEM disciplines as an academic pathway.
- Deepen student and faculty engagement in college-wide STEM activities.
- Support, connect and strengthen collaborations to advance STEM preparation for students and faculty at all levels of education.
- Develop and support exemplary practices and policies in STEM education at the two-year college level.
Popular STEAM Talks (YouTube)
STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP)
STEM Study Centers
- Clarkston
- Decatur – SC 2140
- Newton Campus
Fundamental to the Mission of the STEM Initiatives are deepening faculty engagement in college-wide STEM activities and supporting faculty in developing exemplary practices and policies in STEM education. The following list includes opportunities that are available to GPC faculty. To receive a brief overview of the opportunity, click on each title.
USG STEM Initiative II
The goal of the USG STEM Initiative II grant is to improve student access and success in the STEM fields and enhance existing instructional capabilities of STEM faculty in Georgia’s postsecondary institutions. At GPC, faculty can benefit from the following:
- Faculty Mini-Grant Program: The STEM Faculty Mini-grant program is geared toward engaging faculty at the participating institutions in developing novel methods for improving instruction approaches or content delivery focused on student achievement in postsecondary STEM education or STEM teacher preparation. Mini-grants also should meet challenges specific to that institution’s culture or mission. To learn more about the program or to apply for a mini-grant, click here.
- STEM Workshops and Symposia: The STEM-related workshops and symposia are designed to deepen engagement by providing College faculty and K-12 faculty with opportunities for professional development. Topics vary and workshops are held throughout the academic year on different GPC campuses. Visit the Calendar of Events for the workshop schedule.
STEM Faculty Travel Award
The STEM Initiatives offers a limited number of faculty travel awards up to $500.00 to enable faculty members to attend STEM-related professional meetings/conferences/workshops. Travel awards will be provided on an as needed basis, pending availability of resources and are available for tenure track faculty in one of the eligible programs of study (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geology, Mathematics, and Physics). Please see the following form to apply:
STEM Faculty Travel Award Application
STEM Faculty Research Award
The STEM Initiatives offers a limited number of faculty research awards up to $500.00 to enable faculty members to conduct scientific independent research projects. Purchasing supplies, instruments and/or software in order to conduct the research is allowable. Awards will be provided on an as needed basis, pending availability of resources and are available to tenure track faculty in one of the eligible programs of study (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geology, Mathematics, and Physics). Please see the following form to apply:
STEM Faculty Research Award Application
FAQs
All Perimeter College students who have selected one of the STEM pathways are eligible to participate in STEM-related activities.
Are scholarships available for students?
Yes, scholarships are available through various STEM programs at Perimeter College. Check “Resources for Students” under the “Resources” tab to see some of the available programs.
There are three STEM Centers located across the college. If you are interested in working as a tutor in one of the centers, please contact the STEM Office for more information and the application process.
Please check the calendar of events.
Can I participate as a part-time student?
Yes, you can participate. Many of the STEM activities (i.e., STEM Week, Popular STEAM Talks, on-campus presentations, etc.) are open to all students.
Please visit the Atlanta Campus STEM Office website – http://cas.gsu.edu/stem/
Please see the iCollege page for the schedule of when AEWs and tutoring are available
Please see the iCollege page for the paperwork to complete and the criteria. Submit required forms to either Professor McGinnis or Professor Fitzpatrick by the deadline.
Campus Contacts
Testimonials
After getting his master’s degree in urban planning from New York University, Joshua came south, following love—and a desire to recapture a long-held dream to become an aerospace engineer. He came to Perimeter College to start that dream, acquiring his prerequisite classes to help him apply to Georgia Tech.
“I’m really genuinely impressed by Perimeter, especially from the Clarkston Campus math and computer science departments. I feel like they’ve really pushed us. They had high expectations. I like that I was getting a well-rounded education—it was challenging, and provided a good taste of what I’m going to be in for at Tech.”
Joshua Dulle
University System of Georgia STEM Scholarship recipient
Accepted into the aerospace engineering program at Georgia Tech for fall 2017
TESTIMONIALS
After getting his master’s degree in urban planning from New York University, Joshua came south, following love—and a desire to recapture a long-held dream to become an aerospace engineer. He came to Perimeter College to start that dream, acquiring his prerequisite classes to help him apply to Georgia Tech.
“I’m really genuinely impressed by Perimeter, especially from the Clarkston Campus math and computer science departments. I feel like they’ve really pushed us. They had high expectations. I like that I was getting a well-rounded education—it was challenging, and provided a good taste of what I’m going to be in for at Tech.”
Joshua Dulle
University System of Georgia STEM Scholarship recipient
Accepted into the aerospace engineering program at Georgia Tech for fall 2017