SSC-9450289 Cal State U Hayward Fnd Hayward, CA Harper, Charlie "Summer Physics Enrichment Camps (SPECS)" Summer Physics Enrichment Camps (SPECS) is an SEM enrichment program designed to serve 40 minority seventh graders and four junior high school science teachers per year. Twenty students and two teachers from each of two school districts (Oakland and New Haven) will participate in the 4-week residential summer camp and academic-year follow-up activities. The goals of SPECS are to provide a foundation for a lifelong interest in SEM for participants and to encourage the consideration of SEM as a possible career. Some specific objectives of SPECS are to (a) strengthen students' commitment to remain in school and complete their university entrance course requirements, (b) illustrate the importance of SEM skills in our daily lives, and (c) offer students information and guidance in the career exploration process. SPECS seeks to reverse the pattern of minority students being under-motivated and unprepared to consider science-based careers or to enter higher education. SPECS will provide students with (a) residential experience on a university campus, (b) an opportunity to explore science by use of hands-on and visual activities, (c) mentors and role models who will encourage the students to pursue higher education, (d) enhanced parental support for students' pursuit of higher education, and (e) academic year activities and guidance. The success of the program will be evaluated by tracking participants' scholastic achievements in high school and beyond and by comparing this cohort to a non-participant group. ***
