"Expanding access to engineering, science, and technology with an online pre-matriculation program"

There have been numerous calls to increase the number of students interested in, matriculating to, and graduating from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) bachelor's degree programs.In terms of expanding access at the K-12 level, stakeholders focus largely on promoting math and science achievement, while also nurturing interest in STEM through curricular activities (e.g., science experiments, competitions, computer classes).Postsecondary institutions generally expand access to STEM by identifying and recruiting students who meet admissions criteria and already have an interest in STEM.However, current K-12 STEM programs and focused undergraduate STEM student recruitment neglect students who may be interested in STEM bachelor's degree programs, but are underprepared for college level studies in these fields.In this paper, we describe an online pre-matriculation mathematics intervention, the e-Math Forum, which was developed to expand access to STEM bachelor's degree programs at one university.The e-Math Forum was used to strengthen mastery of mathematics concepts considered critical for success in STEM degree programs.However, it also presents an opportunity for increase access to STEM among students that may not have otherwise been accepted to the institution, but who can succeed.This particular initiative involves collaboration among admissions, academic affairs, student support services, the mathematics department, and the Faculty Innovation in Teaching and Learning Center.In addition to describing the program, we also present preliminary data that suggests the intervention does expand access to STEM bachelor's degree programs, and in more ways than one.Expanding access to engineering, science, and technology with an online prematriculation program I.