Durham Tech receives $25,000 Ribbon of Hope Grant to launch new Project-enhanced Active Learning

A North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Ribbon of Hope grant is providing funding for a new Project-enhanced Active Learning (PAL) program at Durham Technical Community College.

The Project-enhanced Active Learning program will open new opportunities for active, hands-on learning activities in lab settings and help the College retain more women and students of color in STEM programs. It will also help students build their scientific knowledge and lab skills and discover the many options available for further studies and careers in STEM. 

Dr. Kathy Zarilla, Undergraduate Research and Project-based Learning Coordinator, at Durham Tech will be spearheading the project at the College.

“The students will have the opportunity to do entry-level science research projects which can influence course engagement, career discernment, and college major, and provides the opportunity to establish a connection with a university scientist,” said Zarilla. “Successful outcomes will allow this model to be expanded beyond science labs and identify projects and partners in many other subject areas.”

Project-enhanced Active Learning will take a two-pronged approach: Project-enhanced Active Learning Semester and Project-enhanced Active Learning Summer.

Project-enhanced Active Learning Semester targets STEM and non-STEM student majors by embedding active learning projects in introductory science courses during the fall and spring semesters. Durham Tech fellows, science graduate students, or postdocs from UNC and NC State will develop projects while paired with a Durham Tech Faculty Mentor.

Project-enhanced Active Learning Summer targets students pursuing an education or careers in STEM who can apply to be included in a short-duration scientific research project that lasts two to eight weeks that is not connected to the class curriculum. Graduate students or postdocs will serve as Durham Tech Summer Project Leaders.

"The partnering of a Durham Tech faculty member with a university grad student or post-doc is mutually beneficial  -- the university partner benefits from the mentorship of a faculty member and has the opportunity to enhance their own career options by improving instructional skills and the faculty member gets an opportunity to collaborate on new lab project material. The College benefits by providing engaging, real-world lab activities to a large number of students and creating connections at nearby universities," said Zarilla.

The Project-enhanced Active Learning program being introduced at Durham Tech will help to diversify the STEM workforce and increase graduates’ social and economic mobility.

Project-enhanced Active Learning will be launching at Durham Tech in Spring 2022.

The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation is an independent self-funding 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting activities that help meet the educational and health needs of today's society and future generations. Since its creation in 1986, the foundation has granted over $80 million to support North Carolina projects and programs that emphasize the understanding and application of science, health and education at all academic and professional levels. Visit at NCGSKFoundation.org.

For more information, contact Desiree Towson, M.S., Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, at allisontowsond@durhamtech.edu.