Expanding Access to STEM: Directed Studies Program Flourishes at Pierce College

Expanding Access to STEM: Directed Studies Program Flourishes at Pierce College 

Pierce College is seeing growing success with its Plant Science Directed Studies and Projects courses, including PLNT SC 896 (Horticulture Projects) and PLNT SC 185, 285, and 385 (Directed Studies). Though these offerings have been part of the catalog for over a decade, they are now gaining recognition as a vital strategy to expand student access to hands-on STEM research. 

Designed to provide flexible, student-driven research experiences, the courses support a variety of academic and career goals while helping students meet unit requirements for financial aid. Dr. Savanah Senn, faculty in Plant Science, emphasized that the program is especially valuable for students who need a more adaptable, low-barrier way to engage with scientific learning and build resumes. 

Students are drawn to Directed Studies for a range of reasons, from gaining technical skills to improving their competitiveness for internships, jobs, and transfer programs. Many use the units toward timely graduation or to explore plant science from other majors. 

The program promotes critical thinking, research literacy, and equitable access to applied learning. While traditional research experiences often come with barriers like unpaid internships or travel, the Pierce College model brings research opportunities directly to students. 

This initiative is part of a broader effort at Pierce to embed undergraduate research across disciplines. Faculty from Plant Science, Physics, and Biotechnology are working to integrate Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) into STEM and Career and Technical Education programs, supported by a growing Community of Practice.