SSC-9353164 Miami University at Oxford Oxford, OH DeLoach-Johnson, Iris, Roychoudhury, Anita and Carnes, Nate "Miami University-Science-Engineering Mathematics Project (MU- SEMP)" Miami University's minority summer science camp, referred to as Miami University-Science Engineering Mathematics Program (MU-SEMP), is carefully designed to build upon the experience of its principal investigators, to extend the scope and effectiveness of two major projects in Southwestern Ohio, and to provide a holistic approach to developing in minority youth the knowledge and skills needed for entrance to and retention in the scientific and technological pipeline. The project's location (Oxford, Ohio) will allow it to recruit from the large concentrations of minority, specifically African-American, youth in the Cincinnati and Dayton metropolitan areas as well as from minority youth who are isolated in rural schools surrounding those urban areas. In order to reach its goal of assisting people of color in becoming more active members of the science, engineering, and mathematics pipeline, both as American citizens and as potential employees in related career fields, MU-SEMP will combine inquiry-based content courses in science, mathematics, and computer science with a supportive living and learning environment for four weeks. Students will also attend field trips, receive training in technical writing, communications, and research and study skills. Guest speakers who work in science, engineering, and mathematics careers will also provide reflections from the real world. Furthermore, in order to assure that the supportive environment continues after the duration of the camp, parents as well as college students, college faculty, and middle and high school teachers will be involved as staff and mentors. MU-SEMP will build upon and expand the strengths of two systemic initiatives in its geographical area. First, Ohio's Statewide Systemic Initiative is also located at Mia mi University, and MU- SEMP will use teachers trained by Discovery as well as adapt Discovery materials and curricula. In addition, Discovery teachers will have opportunities to work with MU-SEMP youth while both groups are in residence in the summer. MU-SEMP staff have been involved previously in developing and teaching Discovery courses. Second, Minorities in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering (M2SE), one of the regional Alliances for Minority Progress centers is located in Cincinnati. Recruitment, sensitivity, and retention techniques used in that project will be adapted for the young teenagers who participate in the summer science camp. Two of the project's investigators have also been trained by this program. In summary, by combining rigorous education in science and mathematics with a supportive, pleasant, residential environment, MU-SEMP will attract, motivate, and retain more minority students in the education pipeline.
