CdeC Succes Stories Summer 2015

RESULTS OF THE SUCCESS STORIES SURVEY August, 2015 Highlights  After a Science Club, alum actively seek international opportunities such as the STARS program at the University of California San Diego.  Mentoring persists between CdeC instructors and students, encouraging pursuit of graduate studies .  Social media facilitates a network of CdeC scientists who continue to encourage educational growth and access to continued learning.

Introduction The Clubes de Ciencia program evaluation team designed and administered a survey to fifteen former Clubes de Ciencia (CdeC) participants who were accepted1 into a Science internship or graduate program outside of Mexico. The purpose of this survey was to understand if CdeC participation influenced participants’ decisions to apply to a program abroad as well as their interest in pursuing a scientific career.

In June 2015, former CdeC participants received a link to complete the survey. The survey was active for a month and all responses remained Students use cockroaches to study neurons and brain circuits anonymous. Sixty seven percent of invitees (n=10) completed the entire survey and one respondent partially2 completed it. The following report presents survey results — the first section presents respondents’ demographic information, while the second section exhibits responses to open ended items.

1. Participants’ demographic information CdeC participants’ backgrounds vary greatly in terms of school level as well as socioeconomic status. To better understand respondents’ backgrounds, the evaluation team asked several demographic questions. Most respondents were college students and the majority in their first five semesters of college (see Table 1). Six respondents had never traveled outside of Mexico and three had traveled abroad only once (see Table 2). When asked what was the highest degree that someone in their household had completed, two respondents reported middle school, one high school, five college and two reported graduate degree.

1 2

Survey par cipants were iden fied by CdeC staff and email contact informa on provided to the Program Evalua on team.

For the purpose of this analysis the par ally completed response will not be included in the analysis unless specified.

Table 1. What grade level did you complete in 2014‐2015?

First five semesters of college 6 Beyond fifth semester 2 Masters 0 Doctorate 2 Table 2. How many times have you traveled abroad?

Never 6 Once 3 More than once 2

Par cipants learning about drinking water treatment

2. Analyses of responses to open ended items Content analysis was used to analyze data to open‐ended items. Respondents’ answers were examined for themes and aggregated into broader categories. Frequencies for each theme were computed under broader categories allowing researchers to identify the strongest category. Results by item are presented below.

What motivated you to participate in Clubes de Ciencia?

The majority of respondents (n=8) reported that it was their desire to learn what motivated them to participate in CdeC. Some respondents were vague about what exactly they expected to learn while others expressed their interest in learning about a specific topic; for example, a respondent mentioned wanting to learn about programming. Three respondents mentioned their interest in obtaining practical scientific experience. In a respondent's words: “I wish to obtain more knowledge and experience in a laboratory.” Respondents also referred to their interest in meeting people akin to them, with interest in science and that have shaped the scientific community in Mexico and abroad. Finally, a couple of students decided to participate in CdeC because they were annoyed and frustrated with the opportunities provided in their institution and learning about the philosophy of CdeC motivated them to participate.

Do you keep in touch with your CdeC instructor or co‐ instructor? If so, please tell us about your relationship with your instructor (method of communication and nature of relationship).

“CdeC has taught me that Mexican

students abroad know how to fight for their ideals and help our country.” ~ CdeC par cipant

All respondents reported keeping in touch with their instructor. The most popular method to communicate with their instructor is email and Facebook, although a couple of respondents mentioned establishing occasional video calls and chatting. When asked about the type of interaction they establish with their instructor, most respondents seek professional support with letters of recommendation, assistance with applications to graduate programs and internships, and assistance with school projects. A couple of respondents reported that their instructor had served as a mentor with whom they discussed not only professional career topics, but also personal professional goals and opportunities.

Referring to a specific instructor, a respondent voiced that: “[instructor’s] opinion has always been important for me in my personal development.”

Do you keep in touch with students who participated in your CdeC workshop? If so, please tell us about your relationship with them (method of communication and how often you communicate).

Most respondents (n=9) keep in touch with their CdeC colleagues. The most common communication method is Facebook and other social networks, followed by face to face (when in the same city) and phone messaging.

Has your participation in CdeC influenced your desire to pursue a scientific career? If so, please tell us how CdeC has influenced your desire.

Six respondents acknowledged that their participation in CdeC influenced their desire to pursue a scientific career. The majority commented that CdeC incentivized and affirmed their interest to study a graduate degree in a scientific field. A respondent stated that: “participating in CdeC allowed me to participate in “Thanks to their valuable informa on [the] STARS [program] where I have found an excellent and help, I was accepted into the option to continue my graduate studies.” Several summer STARS program at The University of California San Diego.” respondents reported that CdeC increased their interest in doing research therefore they are considering applying ~ CdeC par cipant to graduate school. For example a respondent shared his/her interest specializing in “Tissue Engineering” research and later completing a masters or doctorate in neurosciences: “I would like to specialize in Tissue Engineering. And I would also like to complete a masters or doctorate in Neurosciences.”

Has your participation in CdeC influenced your desire to study abroad? If so, please tell us where you have applied and where you have been accepted.

Seven respondents stated that CdeC influenced their desire to study abroad. Of those who reported being influenced by CdeC, the majority (n=5) applied and were accepted to programs in the United States, one in France, and one respondent did not specify. Of those accepted into programs in the United States, four were selected in a summer research program (STARS) at the University of California at San Diego and one was admitted into Caltech.

Please tell us how CdeC has had a positive impact in your life.

Out of eight respondents, five stated that CdeC increased their desire to learn more about science. A respondent reported that: “CdeC changed my way of thinking and increased my scientific curiosity.” Another responded that: “CdeC has opened my mind to what science is.” A couple of respondents stated that CdeC gave their academic career a “spin” and in a respondents’ words: “it allowed me to dream and see that things can be done.” A group of respondents also acknowledged that CdeC gave them the opportunity to meet people with similar interests and form groups with colleagues that share the same goals. About the instructors, a respondent mentioned that “[instructors] are great since not only are they excellent Observing fluorescence during a scientists, but also offer help over time.” Another respondent acknowledged Mexican students that study abroad and their commitment catalyst reac on to help their country.

Conclusion The majority of CdeC alumni who participated in the first CdeC Success Stories Survey represent college students. Most respondents have not travelled abroad or have done so only once. Survey results suggest that although alumni are already majoring in a scientific field, participation in CdeC has encouraged them to seek opportunities internationally and consider enrolling in graduate degrees. Through continuous communication with instructors and fellow students, CdeC has facilitated a network of scientists that en� courages educational growth and access to continued learning.

Prepared by: Natalia IbaĂąez Cortina and Anne Mikelonis