Article by Julie Waechter, special to Adams State
Adams State University recently concluded a very successful, five-year Title III HSI STEM grant that focused on developing a mechanical engineering program and providing outreach to area schools. Awarded in 2021 by the US Department of Education, the Centro Sierra Blanca Grant totaled $5,195,271, according to Ken Marquez, Project Director, Title III HSI STEM Grant (PO31C210066).
“Our main goal was to develop a new mechanical engineering program in partnership with Colorado State University. We accomplished that goal and last spring celebrated our first six graduates from the program,” Marquez explained.
Students earn a degree from Colorado State University while taking all courses on the Adams State campus. The first two years of coursework are taught by Adams State faculty, with the final two years taught by Colorado State University faculty.
Marquez said over the five-year grant, 132 students were recruited for the mechanical engineering program and persisted at higher rates than targeted in the grant. Adams State built a 1,200 square-foot addition to William Porter Hall, which houses the Mechanical Engineering manufacturing lab called the EMEC. The grant covered a portion of the construction costs for this Engineering Manufacturing Education Center (EMEC).
“The EMEC houses numerous educational pieces of equipment, including lathes, mills, CNC machines, and much more,” Marquez noted. “We also updated classrooms within the building to create additional labs.”
He said the project’s internship program, developed by the Adams State grant team, was a “huge success.” It has placed 127 students in paid positions with the following organizations:
- Alpine Veterinary Hospital
- US Bureau of Reclamation
- Trout Unlimited
- Monte Vista Fish Hatchery
- Native Aquatic Species Restoration.
- Denslow Cattle Company (aeronautical engineering)
- Mountain Engineering and Testing
- Pepper Equipment
- Spencer Architectural Engineering
- Ensco
Additional grant activities focused on developing an equity approach to student engagement and success. This included a four-day orientation for ME students to build relationships with each other and faculty. A new mentoring program provided training to student mentors and assigned a mentor to all first-year STEM students.
Another grant objective was providing faculty development in cultural responsiveness. Fifteen faculty member participated in training presented by ESCALA, the premier professional development organization for HSIs (Hispanic-Serving Institutions.)
Marquez explained, “We then tracked student satisfaction data through surveys to see if the changes were making a difference in the way students learn. Our data showed increased satisfaction in those classes.”
Stimulating interest in science
The grant also supported Adams State’s development of a robust outreach program to help cultivate younger students’ interest in STEM. “This past year, our outreach activities reached over 2,300 middle and high school students in the San Luis Valley and surrounding school districts,” Marquez noted.
Presented at Adams State and at the schools, outreach activities included LEGO Launchers, cardboard boats, air-powered LEGO carts, planetarium shows, Geology Museum tours, solar telescopes, and robotics. Adams State also created a high school Math Festival, bringing about 50 SLV students to campus for math games and puzzles.
Adams State hosted its fifth Discover Mechanical Engineering (ME) Day for high school students on October 21. “Over the last three years, 269 area students participated in a day of mechanical engineering activities on campus,” Marquez added.
