Media Coverage
Universities Love Interdisciplinary STEM Programs, but What About Students?
A recent study, led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and appearing in the Journal of Higher Education, reveals how undergraduate students engage with interdisciplinary learning throughout their college careers and beyond—and how universities should respond to support such learning.
Science program at UMass Amherst awarded $1.25M to expand
UMass Amherst iCons Program Poised to Transform STEM Education
“The iCons program has invented a revolutionary approach for teaching that fosters innovation, integration and impact,” said UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy. “This generous gift from the Mahoney family enables UMass to provide national leadership in this 21st century way of learning.”
Expanding the Cure Model: Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience
This document is the report that grew out of the topics discussed at the December 2016 RCSA meeting. iCons is mentioned in Chapter 4 (which iCons instructor Mark Tuominen helped to write). Most CURE type courses do involve research, but most often it is the professor selecting research problems for the students to work on. iCons is unique in that it cultivates the skill in students to scan the real-world for interesting research opportunities and engage in research on a problem that they have selected.
‘Student Showcase’ Videos Explain iCons Students’ Research
Looking at the effect of urbanization on the reproductive success of birds, improving breast cancer risk assessment, and cooling solar panels to increase efficiency – these are just a few of the real-world challenges that students are tackling.
Seniors Hannon and Keezer win new Crowley-Nowick Award for iCons Student Philanthropy and Leadership
“Community is such a vital part of the iCons program,” said Dr. Crowley-Nowick, founder and president of Zipher Medical Affairs. “I created this award to recognize students who are leaders among their peers and can inspire a culture of philanthropy and community in their class.”
Passing the scientific torch: Five Colleges researchers share love of profession
A feature story about students from the Amherst Regional Middle Schools science club, which is modeled on UMass Amherst’s Integrated Concentration in Science program, notes that the students were assisted and encouraged in their project Dhandapani Venkataraman, chemistry. He says he was encouraged to be a scientist by one of his teachers when he was in middle school in India.
ARMS club encourages young scientists to tackle practical problems
The science project was one of three that students here are conducting as part of a science club modeled on UMass Amherst’s Integrated Concentration in Science program, in which students use a multidisciplinary approach to solve real-world problems.
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