Tag: Novel Program/Resource Proposals

EMT Certification Class at Amherst College

The Problem: I am trying to solve the issue that EMT-B Certification is unfairly gated behind a multitude of hurdles that the student has to jump through. At most of the universities that offer a certification class (which is only about 700 in the US, and 500 of those are two year institutions), the classes…

Re-Imagining Pre-Orientation

This workshop fleshes out the basics of the academic structure at Amherst College to international students. The hope is that students who take part in this workshop will be in a better position to thrive in Amherst classes….

Peer Mentorship Project Proposal

In this draft of the final proposal, we outline the motivation, implementation, and structure of a peer mentorship program in mathematics aimed at guiding students through their academic
journey by scheduling meetings between upperclassmen (mentors) and underclassmen….

Orientation Workshop

Learn about an orientation program designed to help first-year students at Amherst College navigate STEM education, particularly in light of its historical challenges related to race and socio-economic status. The workshop encourages self-reflection and peer conversations about the role of academic interests, such as STEM, in shaping personal identities and experiences, with a focus on fostering inclusivity, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting retention in STEM fields. It also includes interactive activities to facilitate these discussions, with the ultimate goal of creating a supportive, inclusive academic environment at Amherst….

DEI Outline For Athletic Teams

A reader of this project will learn about the creation of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) outline for varsity athletic teams at Amherst College, aiming to foster inclusivity and collaboration. The project emphasizes the importance of DEI education in athletic settings to improve performance and team cohesion, highlighting the role of recognition and belonging in preventing exclusion and enhancing athletes’ success. The outline encourages team-building, DEI-focused discussions on race, gender, and economics, and engagement with campus and community events….

Supporting New Students in a New Way

This project proposes revamping the FYS curriculum and course material to focus on providing students with necessary skills, opportunities, and resources to succeed in STEM and other subjects. Students will be able to choose a FYS that caters most to their needs, whether that be more STEM or humanity-oriented or a combination of both…

Philosophy of Science

This document outlines a workshop proposal focused on exploring the philosophy of science through feminist and indigenous perspectives. It emphasizes the importance of valuing diverse ways of thinking and creating knowledge in STEM, challenging the dominance of Western scientific methods. The workshop aims to encourage participants to reflect on their own contributions and the value of inclusivity in shaping more equitable and innovative scientific communities….

Best Practices: Sample Workshop

A workshop with case studies created by the HSTEM 2016 student cohort to help participants understand that diversity in STEM is essential; that aspects of our identity whether race, gender, sexual preference, socioeconomic status, and previous academic background make each student unique. We need to recognize that we all come into learning space with biases and assumptions that affect the way we teach and learn. …

Seeing the Forest for the Trees

This HSTEM student essay challenges the traditional perspective of prioritizing the “forest” over the “trees,” advocating instead for recognizing and valuing individual contributions within a collective, analogous to the relationship between individuals and society. It explores how scientific objectivity, often thought to be impartial, is inherently social and strengthened by incorporating diverse perspectives, drawing on insights from Helene Longino and Sandra Harding to argue for a more inclusive and human-centered approach to STEM….