SSC-9450429 CUNY York College Jamaica, NY Schlein, Jack, Jason Finkelstein and Concepcion Wibrowski "CUNY Headstart for College Continuum Summer Science Camp" The office of Academic Affairs of the City University of New York and York College of CUNY, in collaboration with the New York City Public Schools, propose to develop and implement a Head Start for College Continuum (HSCC) Summer Science Camp (SSC) for underachieving minority eighth-grade students who aspire to go to college. The proposal request of $139,970 for three summers will serve 150 students--a cohort of 50 students each July--from 1995 to 1997. The HSCC Summer Science Camp (SSC) objectives will include 1) strengthening the commitment of early adolescents to remain in school and go on to college; 2) illustrating the importance of science, math and communication skills in our lives; 3) exposing students to a broad range of participatory activities in science, math, technology, age-appropriate research strategies and interactions with minority mentors, role midels and practicing scientists, engineers and mathematicians; 4) offering students information and guidance in the career exploration process including the academic preparation necessary for a variety of professions; and 5) heightening student awareness of science, mathematics and teaching as potential career choices. The HSCC summer camp will provide a 4-week total immersion in science, engineering and math (SEM). Students' perception of SEM in their daily lives will be guided through study of commonplace devices such as clocks, radios, and cameras. At camp's end, they will know why such devices are important scientific products. Motivation to learn will be driven by students' curiosity and their need to know why such devices work. During morning (interdisciplinary) laboratory classes, they will learn problem- solving strategies in small cooperative learning groups. In the afternoon, they will "do" research projects, telecommunicati on networking and construct devices related to each week's scientific theme. Parental involvement will be promoted throughout the program. HSCC campers will be enveloped in an ongoing supportive environment that rewards students' competence. They will gather information regarding SEM career options and requirements during interactions with practicing SEM role models at the college, on weekly trips, at the NY State Job and Career Center and at worksites. Students will be guided by undergraduate SEM mentors who will work with them daily. The two-year HSCC follow-up program of alternating mentoring and precollege experiences will reinforce, strengthen and extend SSC objectives and their impact on students. Campers ability to successfully negotiate significant turning points in their lives can begin the summer before they enter HSCC giving them a better chance to realize their potential in SEM and teaching careers. ***
