Over a three-year period, this program will refine, implement, and evaluate a four week intensive summer enrichment program in pre-algebra skills for eighth grade students who are in transition from elementary to high school. One hundred students will participate for each of three summers. It is based on a unique, successful experimental class held during the summer of 1987. The program is a collaborative effort involving scientists, engineers, and mathematicians from a number of local industries who will demonstrate practical applications of math in the work place. Students will be bused to nearby locations for on-site demonstrations as part of the program. In addition, faculty from Arizona State University will provide information on careers in science/math/technology as part of the partnership program. Student interest in mathematics, knowledge of careers in science/math/technology, student achievement in science and math and enrollment in upper division science and math courses are predicted to increase as a result of implementation of the proposed program. An extensive evaluation component with longitudinal tracking of students is included in the model. Also included in the model for transfer to other teachers and other school districts are ways to organize and operate such a program, and information on successful instructional practices and materials. Cost sharing by the corporate and educational partners will total 43% of the NSF funding.
