NSF RAMP: RaMP: Mentoring and Research Opportunities for Careers in Coastal Science
IWH, in collaboration with the College of Sciences and Mathematics and College of Engineering received a National Science Foundation grant to train the next generation STEM workforce.
The MROC2S program brings together a network of scientists, educators, and experts from various sectors to support participants from groups traditionally underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. In addition, it trains individuals with limited research experience in a cohort setting to develop the next generation of natural resource professionals.
The goal is to provide year-round mentoring, professional development, and diverse research training opportunities in natural resource science for postbaccalaureate participants. By doing so, MROC2S aims to develop an inclusive research and technical skills program that produces a more diverse STEM workforce. Program participants are integrated into a diverse network of natural resource professionals devoted to research, management, and conservation efforts in the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Gulf Coast regions to expose them to careers and opportunities in this field. Network partners contribute to a common scientific theme that centers on the restoration, conservation, and management of natural resources in the southeast. As participants, program fellows contribute to the rich history of collaborative work and long-term data that helps guide and inform research efforts in this ecologically resource-rich and diverse region of the US. Using long-term data from core sites coupled with skill training and mentoring resources to guide the research, our collaborative network will lead to the professional development of participants to pursue careers in coastal and natural resource science. Furthermore, the activities and experiences provided by the program are guided by a theoretical framework that leads to scientific integration and a sense of belonging to the scientific community among participants. This framework incorporates critical environmental agency to develop participants’ science self-efficacy, identity, and sense of belonging.
Last updated: 11/17/2023