This project will provide women college juniors, who have an interest in science and/or engineering with an extensive research and mentoring program to stimulate their interest in SE careers, improve their opportunities for achievement, accelerate their advancement, and enhance their success for entering excellent graduate programs and then progressing to productive careers. Project components include: (1) a mentoring-career counseling program by women faculty and graduate students; (2) a ten week summer research program; (3) an option to work in a lab during the academic year; (4) seminars featuring women speakers; (5) a communications workshop; (6) attendance at a national scientific conference; and (7) GRE performance evaluation and preparation. The program will be coordinated by the Graduate School of Baylor College of Medicine (BCM). Undergraduate campus partners include Rice University, Texas Southern University, and the University of Houston. The proposed project will capitalize on resources of the existing SMART Program by including the participants in its summer activities. The impact of the 10 week summer experience will be extended and enhanced through additional formal mentoring and coordinated follow-up events at BCM and the home campuses. Women scientists or engineering faculty from several disciplines on each campus have expressed enthusiasm for helping young women reach their career goals. The undergraduate women will be incorporated into a mentoring/research program during their junior year. Each participant will be matched to a women faculty member and a graduate student mentor who shares her scientific interests. Students will participate in a 10 week summer research program between the junior and senior years of college. Preference will be given to placing participants in the labs of women scientists. Participants will be able to work part-time during their senior year in the same lab or in a lab on their home campus. Students wi ll broaden their knowledge of science through exposure to research topics in summer seminars and on their own campuses. A monthly seminar series featuring women scientists from the participating institutions will be rotated among the undergraduate campuses and open to the public. Students will develop communication skills through formal training and practice, discussing their research in groups and attending a national conference. Diagnostic exams for the GRE will be given to participants during the summer and a plan developed for improvement of performance when needed. Special tutoring sessions or formal review courses will be available. Counseling regarding graduate school applications will be provided by mentors.
