STEM Living-Learning Community | Ball State Housing

Living-Learning Community

Students in STEM lab

How Does the STEM LLC Support Student Success?

The STEM Living-Learning Community (LLC) brings together students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a supportive residential environment designed to help them thrive academically and personally. Located in Beyerl Hall, students live alongside peers pursuing a variety of STEM majors while building connections with faculty, staff, and fellow students who share similar interests and goals. Through academic support, faculty engagement, study opportunities, and community programming, residents develop a strong foundation for success during their first year at Ball State.

Students in the STEM LLC have opportunities to explore career pathways, participate in hands-on learning experiences, connect classroom concepts to real-world applications, and build lasting relationships within the STEM community. Whether pursuing careers in research, healthcare, technology, industry, or education, residents benefit from a relationship-rich environment that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and personal growth while supporting their transition to college

Academic Peer MentorS:

Zaniya Rice
Charles ellis

Discover the vibrant life of our STEM Living-Learning Community on BeConnected! Stay updated on what's going on and see what makes the community special.

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Residence Hall

Beyerl Residence Hall

Located in the north residential neighborhood and established in 2020, Beyerl Residence Hall is the home of the STEM Living-Learning Community.

Beyerl Hall provides students close access to North Dining Hall, the Jo Ann Gora Student Recreation and Wellness Center, three other close-by residence halls, and several academic buildings.

This state-of-the-art residence hall has centralized air conditioning, a fitness room, a laundry facility, spacious lounges and study spaces, and a large resource room and makerspace for students to utilize.

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Signature Experience

The STEM Signature Experience is designed for first-year students interested in exploring secondary education in mathematics and the life sciences. Students do not need to have declared a teaching major. The experience is open to students in eligible STEM majors who are curious about STEM education and want to explore teaching as a possible career pathway.

Participants will be connected through MATH 150 or SCI 150. These courses create a cohort experience focused on mathematics, life sciences, secondary education, faculty connections, peer relationships, and career exploration.

Participants will complete an off-campus educational field experience that connects classroom learning with research-based ways mathematics and the life sciences are taught in secondary education settings; ways that engage students in active STEM practices and rich disciplinary discussions.

Students will live in community with other eligible STEM students. Accepted participants will receive a guaranteed bed space in Beyerl Hall with the STEM Living-Learning Community, provided they complete all housing and program requirements.

Learn More About Signature Experience

What are the requirements of joining the STEM Signature Experience?

Participants must be first-year students.
Participants must have an eligible STEM major listed in the Academics section of this webpage.
Participants must take part in the connected academic experience.
Participants must have a roommate who is also eligible for the STEM Living-Learning Community. Roommates do not need to have the same exact major, but both students must have eligible STEM majors.

What are the benefits of joining the STEM Signature Experience?

Guaranteed bed space in Beyerl Hall with the STEM Living-Learning Community.
Connected coursework through MATH 150 or SCI 150.
A close-knit community of students interested in mathematics and life sciences, education, and related STEM fields.
Opportunities to build relationships with faculty, staff, educators, and STEM peers.
Priority access to selected STEM Living-Learning Community programs, academic resources, and community-building opportunities.

How long do students have to accept their offers to the Signature Experience?

STEM Signature Experience students have five (5) days to accept their offer before it expires.

Can I live with a roommate in a different major?

STEM Signature Experience participants must have a roommate who is eligible to live in the STEM Living-Learning Community. Roommates do not need to share the same exact major, but both students must have an approved STEM major listed under the Academics tab.

How will the Signature Experience appear on my academic record?

MATH 150 and SCI 150 will appear on the student’s transcript like other courses in which the student is enrolled.

Is there an additional cost to participate in the Signature Experience?

There is no separate fee to participate in the STEM Signature Experience. The connected courses count as enrolled credit hours and are treated like other courses for tuition billing. Information about any optional or personal expenses associated with the off-campus experience will be shared with students in advance.

Experiences

Each Living-Learning Community has notable experiences for students. For the STEM LLC this includes:

Global Game Jam: The STEM LLC collaborates with the Computer Science Department in this worldwide competition. Participants create a video game in 48 hours and the competition winners have Global Game Jam fund and publish their game.

FBI Trip: In the past, the STEM LLC has visited the Indianapolis FBI Office to learn about career opportunities and internships for students in STEM.

Guest Speakers: The students of the STEM LLC love to hear from people in the field with similar experiences as themselves. Previously we brought in (virtually) someone who works for Amazon Web Services and was a 2019 Grad (non-BSU) from a Computer Science Program and students had a chance to ask questions about what it was like looking for a job in tech, the interview process, etc.

Resource Room

The STEM resource room is the second newest developed in our residence halls. This space is equipped with 3D printers, a glowfordge, several Mac computers, a printer, a virtual reality system, gaming PCs, and various available supplies for students to engage in their academic field of study.

The space was designed with functionality in mind and easily movable furniture to accommodate for programming and engagement opportunities for students in the LLC.

Academics