Findings and Mysteries of the ACES S-STEM Project on Undergraduate Atmospheric Science Students at a Public Liberal Arts University

The ACES Project at the University of North Carolina Asheville ( http://www.aces.unca.edu/aces.shtml ), a scholarship project funded by NSF (S-STEM, Division of Undergraduate Education), is winding down after nearly five years of activity. The presentation will focus on project findings and curiosities (mysteries) associated with attracting and retaining undergraduate students in the challenging atmospheric sciences major. In addition, methods intended to build a sense of community and illuminate various career opportunities will be discussed with an examination of their effectiveness. Finally, advantages and disadvantages of matriculating through the challenging STEM curriculum at a public liberal arts university will be examined.