South Dakota Space Grant Consortium

Augustanas STEM Pipeline Program

Program Type: Research Program

Given expansions in the state of South Dakotas graduate programs that include a new graduate program in physics, there remains a need for new graduate students with a strong research background. Augustana University STEM Pipeline and Trustees Scholars Programs help fill this need by providing exceptional undergraduates with an opportunity to perform research that prepares them for graduate work. This project includes support for student stipends as well as other support, such as supplies or travel if warranted by the individual student project. Three (3) FY2018 female students were supported with $49950 in nonfederal matching funds under Augustanas competitive Trustees scholarship program ($18,000 to biology undergraduate Grace Aasheim, $13,950 to biology undergraduate Emily Delzer, and 18,000 to computer science undergraduate Carrie Kaiser). Additionally, $11,250 in FY2018 NASA funding was provided to support Augustanas STEM Pipeline program which benefited three (e) students majoring in math, physics, and engineering physics. Administrative Space Grant funds were also provided through Augustanas FY18 Space Grant subaward to support Dr. Drew Alton in supervising and mentoring the STEM Pipeline Program students.