African American, American Indian, and Latino students are severely underrepresentated in the Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) advanced math and science sequence. Of the approximately 640,000 minority student who start out in the educational pipeline, 1% transition to calculus, and fewer than 3% take physics. Of those who complete these courses, few students meet scholastic standards for admission to an engineering or science major in the University of California system. The UCLA School of Engineering and Applied Science and the LAUSD Urban Systemic Initiative will implement a six-week summer and 12- week academic year, commuter and Summer Science Camp for 40 African American, American Indian, and Latino students in eight and ninth grade. Our major goal is to increase students' access to educational experiences that: 1) set high expectations; 2) enhance competence in advance math and science; 3) provide a instructional approach that unifies the learning of math, science, and technology; and 4) promote aspirations for professions in technical careers. Proposed activities include: Math Connections: A math curriculum emphasizing the interrelationship algebra, geometry, and technology through group discussions, computer exercises, and collaborative problem-solving workshops. Science Project: Rocketry and Sea Vessels. Two projects will form the thematic focus to introduce the scientific process and explore applications in team-oriented physics, math and related careers. Each project will involve students in physics demonstrations, interactive hands-on laboratory activities, field excursions to industrial sites, and lectures from quest speaker and specialists in various fields. Career Explorations and Parent Involvement: Major features: Educational planning sessions, career fair, college day, mentorships, role model quests speakers, and five family day events. Follow-up: Support from the Information Technology Division of the LAUSD wi ll ensure long-range tracking through the first year of college. Academic year Saturday Academies will reinforcement and feedback on student course enrollment and performance. ***
