The California State University, Chico proposes to conduct a residential summer science camp on its campus for 50 Native American youth from rurally isolated, northeastern California, in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades. Over a three year period this amounts to 150 students being served. The camp will be composed of two, two-week sessions each summer. These sessions will take place during the month of July. This program will be delivered by University faculty and staff, and American Indian youth counselors will be role models. The curriculum will be conducted through the College of Natural Sciences. Because the world of the Native American student is relatively limited in the science and mathematics areas, this camp will provide exercises and experiences that students can relate to. The activities will be hands-on, involving students in learning practical aspects of design, analysis, and manufacture while learning and reinforcing the content and principles of chemistry, biology, physics, math, and engineering which apply. This SSC program will follow students through a tracking program to establish completion of middle school. The University will also provide individual career counseling to each of the students to determine their individual interests and goals and determine the most appropriate path to achieve these goals. Finally, this SSC program would be the only one of its kind in the Western Region, focusing entirely on Native American youth. ***
