STEM careers are in high demand and CSN is working to meet Southern Nevada's need.
In October 2018, the Nevada Governor's Office of Science, Innovation and Technology awarded CSN a four year grant to directly address the need to increase the number of students who declare degrees in the STEM fields, to complete their degree, and ultimately enter the workforce in a STEM related job in our community. This grant will help address barriers that impede our students' success and increase the number of students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM that complete STEM degrees, credentials and/or certificates. To focus its energy and commitment, a STEM Innovation and Impact Fund has been created that will be used to help our students’ completion.
STEM Innovation and Impact Fund
The STEM Steering Committee is pleased to announce the Fall 2020 recipients of the STEM Innovation and Impact Fund: Dual Enrollment Courses in Rural Communities, led by William Thomas; Full "STEM" Ahead in Year One: Getting Black and African American Students on the Right Track, led by Karen Violanti; Health Care & STEM Earlier Exposure Program, led by David Shanton; and two student opportunities led by Kristen Dwyer - Conference Opportunities for Underrepresented Students in STEM and Target COVID-19 STEM Students for Completion.
The STEM Innovation and Impact Fund request for proposals is now open for faculty and staff to apply. The submitted RFP must be one PDF, with the supporting materials included to the application. All applications must be received by Friday, March 26 at 5:00 pm to be considered.
You can download the application files here. The final submission must include:
- Application
- Budget Form
- Approval Form
- Assessment Plan Approval
- Unit Plan
Helpful Resources:
- RFP Informational
- Evaluation Rubric
- FAQ
Please contact Kristen Dwyer with any questions.
The STEM Innovation and Impact Fund projects are:
Contact Kristen Dwyer
This project is to introduce underrepresented students to research opportunities through conferences and their associated organizations in 2021, with the hopes they are inspired to continue their interest and graduate CSN and transfer to pursue their research.
Contact Racquel Melson
This project is a new initiative that will address clothing insecurities for the CSN student population. The Closet will carry business attire to alleviate the financial burdens some students feel attempting to prepare for interviews for internships, jobs or career fairs.
Contact Doug Sims and Mark Garner
This project will create simple, scientifically-based education, with a Training Model to overcome student perceived obstacles that will improve the hands-on-experience in CHEM 121, 122, 220, 241, 242 and 298. This will include industry stakeholders, so training mirrors industry methods, and faculty will assist participants understanding through techniques developed with hands-on-training.
Contact William Thomas
This project is designed to ensure that students in rural schools in Nevada have the same access to high-quality, low cost dual enrollment courses as their urban counterparts.
Contact Pat Armour
The purpose of this project is to 1) Purchase marketing materials for the Ralph and Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences (ESHS) 16 programs; 2) Provide support for the 2020 Summer Camp (moved to 2021 due to COVID-19); and, 3) Purchase and install additional Zoom or similar virtual classrooms.
Contact Patty Charlton
Each of the Student Unions on the three main campuses have food pantries run by our Student Government. This project will establish the initial resources, provide toiletries, assess the need of our students and determine how to effectively address food insecurity for the long and short term.
To find out more and how to receive resources, visit Campus Life.
Contact Karen Violanti
This project will focus on creating a paid opportunity for new, first-year, Black and African American students at CSN. The positions will be created in both Student Affairs and Academic Affairs supporting student retention and intentional connection to the STEM fields.
Contact David Shanton
A two-part program focused on increasing the exposure of Healthcare/STEM fields and career opportunities for underrepresented students who are ninth grade students from select high schools. The students will attend a summer camp, receive presentations from various local Healthcare/STEM professionals and focus on a science project throughout the fall semester to present at an end of program symposium.
Contact Paula Michniewicz and Terry Norris
This project will begin to address the cost of textbooks as a barrier to student success and how OER can be a part of the solution. (OER is defined as teaching, learning, and research resources released under an open license that permits their free use and repurposing by others.)
To learn more or to be a part of the OER Task Force, visit OER.
Contact Christopher Collumb
This project will foster a collaborative environment between faculty and students, providing them both opportunities to engage in discovery and provide students with authentic undergraduate research projects early in their academic career.
Contact Brian Akins
This project will establish and provide limited emergency financial support to currently enrolled students who are unable to meet essential expenses due to a temporary or unexpected hardship.
To find out more and how to apply, visit Student Life.
Contact Kristen Dwyer
This project is to provide students impacted by COVID-19 a $2,500 scholarship to help them complete their degree/certificate so they can graduate from CSN and either go into the workforce or transfer to another higher education institution.
Contact Kristen Dwyer
This project will launch a Speakers Series by utilizing CSN Alumni who are working in STEM careers to stimulate more women’s interest in STEM related fields.
Upcoming STEM Events
When Women Don’t Speak: What It Takes for Women To be Heard | Black Feminist Health Science Studies Symposium | Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival |
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Friday, March 12th at 11:00 a.m. Learn more about event. | Thursday, March18th at 10:00 a.m. Learn more about event. | Saturday, April 24th through Friday, April 30th. Learn more about event. |
Upcoming Events at CSN
STEM Innovation and Impact Fund | Spring Convocation - What the STEM Innovation and Impact Fund Can Do | CAPE Sessions for STEM Fund |
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Applications are now open. More information is above. To be considered, proposals must be submitted by Friday, March 26th at 5:00 p.m. | Visit the Spring Poster Fair in Teams to view a presentation. Find out more on the Convocation page. | Open sessions held throughout February and March to help with your applications. Sign up through CAPE. |
If you are interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs at CSN, you can find our more by searching through our Areas of Study and Skills Certificates and Degrees, visiting our Schools, viewing Gainful Employment information and looking into the opportunities offered through CTE College Credit.
If you have any questions regarding our work in STEM, please contact Kristen Dwyer in the Office of Sponsored Projects. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!
STEM Related Helpful Resources