SSC-9353279 Kennesaw State College Marietta, GA Lester, Army "Summer Science Camp For Precollege Minorities in Science and Engineering" The underrepresentation of African Americans, women and other minority groups in science, engineering and math (SEM) is growing at an alarming rate. While much effort is directed toward this problem relative to inner city populations, the omission of rural and suburban students excludes a valuable source of potential scientists, teachers and engineers. This proposal is designed of offer a four-week college/community operated summer science camp that will foster the efforts of Kennesaw State College, local school systems and community organizations to (1) help break the negative stigma of SEM related subjects; (2) help students develop the skills and motivate them to do well in these courses; and (3) to provide less targeted students with information on career opportunities in SEM. Twenty-five 7th -9th grade students of suburban Atlanta (Cobb County and Marietta City School Systems) will take part in this program. Six staff members and several volunteers will coordinate activities that include lectures and seminars, guest speakers, laboratory studies, group research projects, career exploration, academic enrichment and field trips. Course work will cover a board range of SEM related courses, with an emphasis on how such courses impact living organisms. Special emphasis will be placed on the teaching of science as a process. The science camp component will start on June 13, 1993 and end on July 9, 1993. Tutoring and mentoring will continue throughout the academic year. The effectiveness of this program will be determined by the students' attitudes and behaviors toward science, success of the participants in science classes and science fairs, and major/career selection in college.
