Georgia Tech’s Big Idea from Momentum Summit IV in 2021 was to link our Momentum work with our Institute Strategic Plan (ISP) by establishing an internal mini-grant program—the Amplify Momentum Project or GT-AMP. Evaluating the mini-grant projects and examining their impact was a key component of our 2023 Momentum plan.
By Summer 2023, all seven projects concluded, and the final deliverables were submitted to the program coordinator. In addition to progress videos submitted in January 2023 which were shared with campus stakeholders (https://completecollege.gatech.edu/2021-22-gt-amp-projects/), each project team submitted a final summary, self-evaluation, and responded to a summative evaluation survey. To conclude the GT-AMP initiative, our evaluation plan assessed both the individual project outcomes and the overall programmatic effectiveness to inform future mini-grant funding models.
Evaluation Plan and measures: Evaluating the mini-grant projects and examining their impact was a key component of our 2023 Momentum plan. Multi-level evaluation was conducted of both the individual projects awarded and the program as a whole. The following evaluation plan was employed. GT-AMP initiatives were assessed on their effectiveness meeting the intended project goals, and summative program assessment was conducted to determine if the Amplify Momentum Program met its intended goal of promoting the Momentum Approach at Georgia Tech and to appraise the viability of continued mini-grant programs.
Data sources: mid-project self-evaluations, end-of-project summaries, PI/co-PI survey, student/participant survey (as appropriate and feasible)
KPIs:
- Proposed project outcomes were fulfilled.
- Projected transformative impact was realized of each project.
- Projects created sustainable applications of Momentum Approach.
- GT-AMP mini-grant model was effectively designed.
- Alignment between Momentum Approach and Amplify Impact was achieved.
Baseline measure (for each KPI): N/A
Current/most recent data (for each KPI) See Appendix G for complete evaluation report
Goal or targets (for each KPI):
- 100% of proposed project outcomes were fulfilled, or justifiably adapted.
- Projected transformative impact was realized for 100% of the GT-AMP projects.
- Projects created sustainable applications of Momentum Approach.
- The funding increments and length of time provided for GT-AMP projects were adequate to achieve project goals.
- Alignment between Momentum Approach and Amplify Impact was achieved.
Time period/duration:
Summer 2023; all projects conclude
July 31, 2023; final project summaries submitted
August 14, 2023; program evaluation survey closed
September, 2023 – November, 2023; Evaluation and reporting
In fall 2021, the Office of the Provost provided more than $300,000 in support for GT-AMP proposals, ultimately funding seven projects for funding beginning in spring 2022. Six 18-month projects, and one 6-month project concluded in Spring 2023, prompting a program evaluation of the mini-grant model and the projects. Summaries of the projects are below:
Enhancing Student Self-Awareness, Resilience, and Engagement through Strengths-Based Learning
This project encourages student engagement through integration and expansion of Strengths-based practices in two AACU High Impact Practice areas: undergraduate research and the first-year seminar.
Developing a New Multi-Disciplinary Major in the Environmental Sciences
This project will support the development of a new College of Sciences interdisciplinary degree program in Environmental Science. Environmental Science draws on the biological, chemical, and physical sciences to better understand the Earth’s environment and human impacts upon it.
Science and Society Internship Program
The School of Psychology is creating a Science and Society Internship program that includes three tracks: 1) International Experience, 2) Virtual Experience, and 3) Local Impact, to help support students achieve full momentum towards graduation and their post-graduate career, improve academic engagement, and deepen purposeful choices for their careers in a global world.
Integrating Growth Mindset to JumpStart our Georgia Tech Student-Athletes
The goal of this expanded program would be to infuse this momentum/mindset into all practices within our day-to-day practices including but not limited to midterm advising, graduation planning, coach communication, coach education, and developing everyday champions.
Library Interactive Media Cross-Disciplinary Workshop
This project is centered around a unique pilot program for creating new multidisciplinary curricular pathways for Georgia Tech students and researchers.
Public Interest Technology (PIT) for First-Year Engineers
A collaboration of Serve-Learn-Sustain and the Writing and Communication Program, the project connects first-year engineers to community-based experiential learning themed around technology for the public good.
While GT-AMP is being retired, valuable lessons were learned on the viability of future mini-grant initiatives. The model ultimately proved to be an ideal approach to advance the Momentum framework within GT’s campus culture by empowering individual contributors to design initiatives specific to their discipline and student population.
