SSC-9450336 U of Tennessee Memphis Memphis, TN Moore, Leroy "Summer Science Camp" The University of Tennessee, Memphis Summer Science Camp (SSC), a four-week, computer science and mathematics discovery project, increases the awareness and curiosity of 50 underrepresented 7th graders for Science, Engineering and Mathematics (SEM) careers. based on the concept of "learning by doing," the SSC project design is driven by the objective to increase their students' factual knowledge and skills about algebra and science concepts via a series of computer-based, interactive physical science experiments. Assigned mentors, in an apprenticeship relationship, demonstrate how the mathematics and science concepts are utilized in finding solutions to problems in their research laboratories. Student support activities, including a parental component, increase the students' perceptions about their own abilities, resulting in a feeling of "I can do it." Exposing students to a variety of SEM practitioners (role models) and work sites, and demonstrating the role of science and mathematics in work settings, further stimulates students' interest in and enthusiasm about SEM careers. An academic year Saturday Camp maintain student interest heightened during the SSC, by engaging them in a "research" activity related to minority health and social concerns. The UT Memphis SSC feeds into a local high school science/mathematics intervention, Project ACHIEVE, designed to increase the pool of minorities prepared to enter health professions. Such collaboration with the project "Project ACHIEVE" creates an educational pathway that fosters students' continued interest in and excitement about science and math. Following their SSC experience, students are tracked, via the UT Memphis Minority Student Tracking System. Given the continued paucity of Black youth in this local setting who elect to pursue science and math studies, the SSC is an important step in stimulating them to become aw are of and become interested in careers in science and math.
