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December 10, 2018
The University of Portland was recently ranked no. 18 in “The Top 25 STEM Colleges of 2018” by Forbes.com. STEM is an acronym used to identify fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The University of Portland was one of only five universities in the west to make the list, as well as the only university in Oregon or the Pacific Northwest.
The list, which includes schools where 50 percent or more students major in STEM subjects according to the Department of Education’s College Scorecard, is topped by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by California Institute of Technology, and Harvey Mudd College. View the complete Forbes STEM rankings.
“Quality STEM education is critical for students’ success both in the classroom and in their future careers,” said Dr. Thomas Greene, provost. “I am gratified that our STEM education has drawn national attention and the University is taking the lead in addressing the need for innovative, creative, and active learning environments.”
In 2017, the University received a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve teaching environments for undergraduate students in STEM classes by increasing student-centered, evidence-based learning methodologies. The grant-funded project, Redesigning Education For Learning through Evidence and Collaborative Teaching (REFLECT), will develop and facilitate teaching leadership institutes to expose faculty to innovative, active learning instruction methods and then assist them in implementing the practices in their classrooms. Faculty members in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and computer science will be participating in the three-year project.
In addition, a commitment to ongoing innovation in STEM teaching ensures the excellent academic experience students receive during their REFLECT Team and NSF grant. A graduate level biomedical engineering partnership with Oregon Health Sciences University give students first-hand experience in helping to design medical innovations of the future.
“STEM opportunities for students and faculty on our campus are rich, varied, and increasing in number,” according to Dr. Stephanie Salomone, Chair of the Mathematics Department and Director of the STEM Education and Outreach Center at UP. “Faculty from all STEM fields are participating in an NSF-funded program to infuse our curricula with evidence-based practices which engage students in inquiry and ask them to be active participants in their education. UP students work with community partners and K-12 schools as part of service learning programs, and we continue to send highly-trained STEM teachers into the workforce.
“The STEM Center has offered K-12 teacher professional development for several years, most recently through online modules on Natural Hazards in the Pacific Northwest,” she added. “We at UP want to give all of our students the opportunity to learn to be critical thinkers, problems solvers, and stewards of the University’s Mission, and the STEM programs at UP provide opportunities for students to meet all of these goals.”
The University of Portland’s academic and industry partnerships in manufacturing and technology contribute to the University’s strong appeal to STEM students. The Shiley School of Engineering, for example, is an active member of the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN), a select group of institutions invited by the Kern Family Foundation to be a part of an educational coalition committed to instilling future engineers with an entrepreneurial mindset. The Shiley School is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand Challenge Scholars Program. The University’s Franz Center further supports STEM education with innovation, entrepreneurial, and leadership opportunities that help students convert ideas into products.
Students also have hands-on opportunities to design innovative solutions with government and industry partners, including manufacturers like Hyster Yale and technology leaders like Tektronix. STEM opportunities are not limited to traditional science, technology, engineering or math students, but like the University’s maker space, are open to students across all disciplines who want to explore design and product development.
Student groups offering further STEM opportunities outside of the classroom include UPMars; which brings STEM education to neighborhood schools through camps and workshops; UP Robotics, which fosters interest in robotics, providing tools and resources that enable research and design through the development of a robot that will compete in NASA's Lunabotics Mining Competition; STEM Outreach Activities and Resources (SOAR), which spreads the awareness of STEM to the greater UP community and the local community; Society of Women Engineers; American Society of Civil Engineers, which promotes and expands the field of civil engineering in academic, social, and professional settings; American Chemical Society, UP's own connection to the national 125 year-old American Chemical Society; Association for Computing Machinery, devoted to promoting all forms of computer technology and science; Beta Beta Beta, an honor society for students in the field of biology; Biomedical Engineering Club; Ecology Club, which builds awareness on the environmental issues on campus and promotes individual responsibility with recycling, reducing and reusing; Engineers Without Borders, exploring how engineering can contribute toward improving health and reducing poverty levels throughout the world; UP Geology Club; Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which explores the theory and practice of electrical, electronics, communications and computer engineering; Math Club; Mechanical Engineering Student Association; Neuroscience Club; and others.
To learn more about UP’s work in STEM education, visit the STEM Education and Outreach Center.
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