Description of the Montana Space Grant Consortium Hands-on STEM Certificate

Angela Des Jardins, Montana State University-Bozeman; Randal Larimer, Montana State University-Bozeman

Catalog Description

Many Montana higher education students don’t currently have good access to the real-world STEM experience employers desire. Therefore, Montana Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) has created a hands-on STEM certificate that will form a guided path to prepare the participants to start their careers. This certificate is not a traditional group of coursework that is recorded on a transcript, but is a set of guided non-coursework modules that leads to a participant-built professional portfolio. The resulting professional portfolio will increase the likelihood that the participants will receive the internship or job offer that they desire.

Summary

Many Montana higher education students don’t currently have good access to the real-world STEM experience employers desire. This is due to many factors, such as institutional focus on academic learning and relatively low number of local pre-graduation training and research opportunities. Therefore, Montana Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) has created a hands-on STEM certificate that will form a guided path to prepare the participants to start their careers. This certificate is not a traditional group of coursework that is recorded on a transcript, but is a set of guided non-coursework modules that leads to a student-built professional portfolio. Throughout the certificate process, the participants will be supported by a committee made up of their campus MSGC Affiliate Representative, their research group mentor(s), and a MSGC staff member. Students may start work toward the certificate at any time and can complete some parts in parallel.

MSGC is in a unique position to offer this certificate program because we have a decades-old collaborative network that includes all Montana higher education institutions with at least one STEM degree as well as industry partners. In addition, the main focus of MSGC is to engage Montana’s higher education students in hands-on workforce development programs for NASA and STEM industry.

The certificate consists of five parts. Each part incorporates, in the terms described by the NSF STEM Futures project, “humanistic” (to value), “meta” (to act) and “foundational” knowledge (to know). The first part is a set of preparatory modules that is completed asynchronously. The second part is an introductory hands-on research experience or workshop. The third is a deeper dive into a specific topic with a research group. Topics include high altitude ballooning, unmanned aerial systems, small satellites, and other active Montana space STEM projects. The forth part focuses on supporting the participants’ search for the right opportunity as well as helping them create a professional application that showcases skills and talents. Finally, the fifth part of the certificate is the completion of a focused paid internship or in-depth research experience. Successful certificate completion will result in a professional portfolio that will be used for industry internship or job placement processes. Building the professional portfolio will also help remind participants of the lessons they learned and will reinforce the participants’ confidence. The resulting professional portfolio will increase the likelihood that the participants will receive the internship or job offer that they desire.

To receive the certificate, the participant’s portfolio is formally reviewed by the student’s committee according to the assessment guide described in the Program Level Details. The portfolio will reflect the individual’s interests and values as well as their technical accomplishments.

Values and Anchors

1. Create safe environments to develop life and job skills without judgement or repercussions
2. Spend time to help students develop integrity and well as ethical and emotional awareness and to act on these core values
3. Create a civil, supportive environment where difference and diversity are sources of strength
4. Cultivate broad stewardship; care for and strive to conserve the human, economic, physical, and environmental resources entrusted to us

Goals of the Certificate Program

1. Prepare participants to start their STEM careers by guiding them through building a professional STEM-based portfolio that clearly demonstrates their abilities and perseverance
2. Help participants stand out from others when applying for STEM internships and jobs
3. Give participants the real world STEM experience employers desire
4. Develop participants’ soft skills for today’s workplace
5. Develop participants’ critical thinking skills
6. Develop participants’ problem solving skills
7. Develop participants’ teamwork participation and building skills
8. Develop participants’ conflict management skills
9. Develop participants’ understanding of professionalism and ethics
10. Provide Montana college researchers with pre-trained students
11. Generate a higher number of Montana-trained students who are prepared to succeed in hands-on efforts in research and industry

Outcomes

More information about the process to achieve these outcomes is given below.

Process Objective 1
Participants complete all certificate parts: preparatory knowledge modules, introductory hands-on research experience or workshop, a first hands-on research experience, finding the in-depth opportunity that fits, and the completion of a focused paid internship or in-depth research experience.

Process Objective 2
Participants create a Professional Online Portfolio.

Outcome Objective 1
Participants have the foundation they need to succeed in the workplace with respect to teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, conflict management, professionalism, and hands-on experience.

Outcome Objective 2
Montana mentors have access to prepared participants’ for their research programs.

Assessment

Participants have a Certificate Committee, made up of their campus MSGC Affiliate Representative, their research mentor, and a member of the MSGC staff. This Committee supports the participants’ throughout the process by meeting with them and reviewing their professional portfolio development at least every three months, and more often during their research project. The Committee will also conduct the formative assessments, which include:

1. Review inquiry and scientific processes learned through the RCR.
2. Discuss participants’ initial personal and career goals statement.
3. Discuss participants’ preparatory knowledge module journal.
4. Provide feedback on participants’ first research experience video.
5. Provide feedback on participants’ in-depth research presentation(s) and final report.
6. Conduct a mock job interview, using the draft professional portfolio.

The participants’ summative assessment is the formal review of the professional portfolio by the participant’s Certificate Committee.

Every year for five years after the participant receives their certificate, the certificate effectiveness will be assessed via student, Certificate Committee, and academic/industry surveys. (Like all Space Grant Consortia do for student NASA tracking).

Certificate path to professional portfolio

Summary

The certificate consists of five parts. Each part incorporates, in the terms described by the NSF STEM Futures project, “humanistic” (to value), “meta” (to act) and “foundational” knowledge (to know). The first part is a set of preparatory modules that is completed asynchronously. The second part is an introductory hands-on research experience or workshop. The third is a deeper dive into a specific topic with a research group. Topics include high altitude ballooning, unmanned aerial systems, small satellites, and other active Montana space STEM projects. The forth part focuses on supporting the participants’ search for the right opportunity as well as helping them create a professional application that showcases skills and talents. Finally, the fifth part of the certificate is the completion of a focused paid internship or in-depth research experience. Successful certificate completion will result in a professional portfolio that will be used for industry internship or job placement processes. Building the professional portfolio will also help remind participants of the lessons they learned and will reinforce the participants’ confidence. The resulting professional portfolio will increase the likelihood that the participants will receive the internship or job offer that they desire.

1. Required Preparatory Knowledge Modules 

These modules are done asynchronously and use a variety of platforms for information transfer – videos, online reading, thought/reflection exercises, etc. Successful completion of all of these modules, or having demonstrated similar experiences, is required for certificate completion. Participants must keep a digital journal about lessons they learn from each preparatory module.

Certificate Preparation

1. Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR; includes inquiry and scientific process skills)
2. Career interest exploration survey
3. Initial personal statement and career goals (to identify blind spots in positionality and can be used for future applications)

Soft and Career Skills Learning Modules (Meta Knowledge – to act – to support action)

1. Creative thinking
2. Problem solving
3. Critical thinking
4. Poster and presentation preparation

Life Skills, Values, and Interests Learning Modules (Humanistic Knowledge – to value – to develop and apply values)

1. Teamwork
2. Professionalism
3. Examination of personal and cultural interests
4. Ethics
5. Conflict management
6. School to job transition training
7. Resume and cover letter preparation

2. Introductory hands-on research experiences or workshops

These mentor-led experiences are meant to give the participant a feel for hands-on research. One activity of at least ten hours, or similar demonstrated experience, needs to be completed to achieve the certificate. This may be done via:

1. MSGC hands-on introductory workshops: variety of topics such as Remote Sensing with Snapping Turtles, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Astronomy, High Altitude Ballooning.
2. Other introductory research experience such as a MSGC Awards for Research in Engineering and Science (ARES) project, or participation in research group meetings.

3. First hands-on research experience – (Foundational Knowledge – to know)

These experience, done with a research group, are meant to prepare the participant for a successful paid STEM internship. Participants can join one or more areas, or demonstrate similar experience, for certificate completion. Participants must create a 3-5 minute video that presents their work from this stage. MSGC has established research groups in the areas below but we also support participants in many other STEM areas.

1. High-altitude ballooning
2. Radiosonde ballooning
3. Unmanned aerial systems
4. Small satellites
5. Remote sensing
6. Space Public Outreach Team (SPOT)
7. NASA student challenges
8. NASA Wavelength online resource repository with lectures and activities

4. Finding the in-depth opportunity that fits 

This stage focuses on supporting the participants’ search for the right opportunity as well as helping them create a professional application that showcases skills and talents.

1. Explore what kind of hands-on opportunities are beneficial
2. Research available opportunities through professional networking and online resources
3. Interview potential mentor and create a video about findings
4. Apply for the opportunity, asking Certificate Committee for assistance as needed

5. Focused paid internship or in-depth research experience

The final research experience module of the certificate is to conduct a student-led, mentor-supported research internship or in-depth research experience. Participants are required to give a presentation to peers and their Committee on their work and complete a final report. These activities may be accomplished through opportunities such as:

1. MSGC Local Internship
2. NASA field center internship
3. NASA Pathways program
4. MSGC Awards for Research in Engineering and Science (ARES)
5. MSGC Apprenticeship
6. Industry internship
7. Other appropriate experience

Professional public online portfolio of work

The portfolio is the culmination of the certificate and is the product that will be formally reviewed by the participants’ Certificate Committee. Portfolios should be websites using third party tools such as Wix, WordPress, or LinkedIn. Portfolios can be used by participants in a dynamic, adaptive way. The portfolio must consist of the following sections:

1. Detailed Path Plan

Description of the path the participant intends to follow to acquire their desired position.

2. Statement of current career or internship goals

Statement on why the participant is interested in the current position and how such participation benefits the participant (prospective employee) and the employer.

3. Resume and cover letter

Link to resume

Link to a cover letter

4. Demonstration of skills

1. List or description of relevant and potentially augmentative skill strengths
2. List of completed modules with reflection on what the lessons mean through the participants lens
3. List of relevant courses

5. Demonstration of experiences

Example work modified from final reports

Examples of teamwork

6. Presentations and Publications

1. Present research work at a conference (college student research conference, scientific conference, etc.)
2. Present research work to peers, especially to students interested in the certificate and communities that are important to your sphere of influence.
3. Make a brief research experience video that is understandable to the non-scientist for publication on Space Grant Consortia and NASA websites.

7. Awards and Honors

List externally recognized awards and honors

8. Description of personal interests and values

1. Provide examples that help employers identify fit for the company culture.
2. Describe any volunteer work.
3. Demonstrate understanding of professionalism.

9. Reference letters

Links to letters

10. Link to professional recruitment site

LinkedIn page (or similar), actively curated by the participant