Over the past 20 years, student interest in science, math, and engineering (SME) education has dropped precipitously. Additionally, retention is a continuing problem for SME majors; the problem, according to research is not primarily the ability of "switchers" but instead is the lack of a cooperative environment and appropriate support. This project uses an Honors program, which has well prepared students and a demonstrated record of retention, to assist in increasing SME interest and retention. The project builds an Honors Communications and Simulation Laboratory to house a revised Honors curriculum which immerses freshman students in lab-based courses. The primary course fall term is a communications and simulation course in which students actively learn communications and the pleasures of simulating natural and imaginary phenomena. The rest of the revised curriculum uses the Lab as the primary classroom for the Program. If an Honors program can be effectively used this way, it can have national implications for how SME enrollments can be increased.
