And Others the National Science Foundation Summer Science
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
DOCUMENT RESUME ED 408 164 SE 060 236 AUTHOR Denoya, Leila E., Ed.; And Others TITLE The National Science Foundation Summer Science Camps: Leaving a Legacy of Successes. INSTITUTION National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA. Directorate for Education and Human Resources. PUB DATE 97 NOTE 211p.; Photographs may not reproduce well. CONTRACT HRD-9601978 AVAILABLE FROM National Science Foundation, Directorate of Education and Human Resources, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC09 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Calculus; *Career Awareness; Computer Uses in Education; Educational Strategies; Elementary Secondary Education; Field Trips; Graphing Calculators; Hands on Science; Interdisciplinary Approach; Mathematics Activities; Mathematics Instruction; Science Activities; *Summer Science Programs; Technology IDENTIFIERS National Science Foundation ABSTRACT This book contains descriptions of the 122 Summer Science Camps (SSC) funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) from 1992 to 1996. This program is employed as an early intervention strategy that reaches out to a large number of disadvantaged children who are underrepresented in scientific and technical careers. The main goal of the SSC is to enable students to develop a lifelong interest in science and mathematics and to encourage the consideration of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology as possible career choices. This book describes the legacy of successes of these SSCs which are no longer funded by NSF. The successful programs are listed in alphabetical order by state. The camps engage young participants in the process of learning by doing, encourage students to think of mathematics and science as disciplines connected with their lives and communities, and construct experiences that promote uniquely personal scientific knowledge. (DDR) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** 0 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL GRANTED BY t THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES .' INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 0 "." (INDAIN 11"'"i 4911 The National Science Foundation SUMMER SCIENCE CAMPS U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Thi -document has been reproduced as ceived from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Leavinga Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. Legacq of Successes BOOK STAFF LAILA E. DENOYA, Ph. D. Tableof Contents Executive Editor SSC Principal Investigator Director of Upward Bound Program State University of New York College Special Dedication 2 at Fredonia, New York KERSTIN CRINNIN Assistant Editor What Who Where How? 3 Jamestown Community College, New York ARMY LESTER III, Ph. D. What is a Summer Science Camp? 4 Contributing Editor SSC Principal Investigator Kennesaw State University, Georgia Who are we? 6 JOSEPH W. SCHWABENBAUER Vice President of Sales Seneca Printing Et Label, Inc. ROBERT DEWOODY Where are we? Production Coordinator Seneca Printing Et Label, Inc. R. PAUL KINSMAN How do we achieve our goals? 10 Graphic Designer Seneca Printing Et Label, Inc. Summer Science Camp Sponsors 14 This book is published by Seneca Printing & Label, Inc., recipient of ISO 9002 certification, the international business communi- Let me tell tin who I am ty's highest standard for quality, is located at Sandycreek Industrial Park, De Bence Drive, Franklin, PA 16323. Phone: 1-800-372-1313. Summer Science Camp Program Descriptions 16 This publication was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, Directorate of Education and Human Resources, Division of Human Resource Development (HRD) (grant //HRD- 9601978). The views expressed Communicating with "Camp Talk" 200 in this book are those of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect those of their institutions, agencies, or the Foundation. The editors assume full responsibility for any errors that remain. Summer Science Camp Directorq 201 All rights are reserved by the Summer Science Camps' principal investigators. S P E Dear Summer Science Camp Investigators: Special Congratulations to you, your staff and students for an outstanding job well done!! This book represents a legacy worth saving and sharing. It is a significant Dedication resource guide that highlights effective strategies and models of more than a hun- The Summer Science Camp investigators dred successful science camps throughout would like to dedicate this book to the this country which were designed to provide a foundation following outstanding individuals at the and encourage precollege students to consider careers in National Science Foundation: science, mathematics, engineering and technology. We hope this book will become a reference guide to a broad- DR. LUTHER S. WILLIAMS based audience of educators, policymakers, communities, Assistant Director corporations, industries, and activists who are working to Directorate for Education and Human Resources increase access to all for careers in SMET. Again congratu- lations and we thank you for your dedication. Sincerely, la .°11 DR. ROOSEVELT CALBERT Dr. Betty Ruth Jones Division Director Senior Program Director Division of Human Resource Precollege Programs Development National Science Foundation I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS DR. BETTY RUTH JONES Special thanks are due nationwide to the 122 Principal Senior Program Director Investigators and Project Directors of the Summer Science Precollege Programs Camps. Their collective energies have made this project an Division of Human Resource enriching and intellectually rewarding experience. Development A very special recognition is given to Dr. Betty Ruth Jones, Senior Program Director, Precollege Programs, Division of Human Resource Development (HRD), National Science Foundation, whose professional vision and support DR. COSTELLO L BROWN in education, especially sciences education, commendably Former Senior Program Director encouraged us to make this book a reality. Thank you. Precollege Programs Division of Human Resource Appreciation is extended to Mrs. Kerstin Crinnin, Development Assistant Editor, and Dr. Army Lester III, Contributing Editor. Without their assistance this book would have been difficult to complete. Many thanks. Deep gratitude goes to Dr. Luther S. Williams, Assistant Director, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, DR. WANDA WARD and Dr. Roosevelt Colbert, Division Director, Division of Former Senior Program Director Precollege Programs Human Resource Development (HRD), National Science Division of Human Resource Foundation. Their views on educating the next generation Development in the fields of mathematics, sciences, and technology surpass the limits of what is needed for the education of tomorrow's scientists and engineers. Our most sincere thanks for being visionary leaders for our country. 2 Nationwide, bright minds came together from their diverse educa- tional and scientific arenas to offer and share their expenences with their National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Summer Science Camps (SSC) as the successful early intervention strategy of reaching out to a large number of disadvantaged children who are under represented in scientific and technical careers. These SSC Pnn- I cipal investigators made this early intervention strategy their first pn- I A ority in their quest for educating the next generation, and requested funding from primanly the NSF to implement the SSC as an educational tool. There is compelling evidence that the achievement gap in mathematics is still a major problem in the United States of Amenca. in a recent report by the National Center for Statistics, preliminary findings indicate that. The U.S. is far from being among the top nations of the world in Math and Sciences: I') The proportion of students who are qualified to select math, science and technology fields grows smaller each year as they progress through the precollege education system. The NSF has taken on an aggressive role in ensunng the vitality of the U.S.A. in the scientific and technical enterprise by providing leadership and support for the nation's efforts to improve scientific literacy. Pnmary responsibility for the NSF's educational activities, precollege education being one of them, is assumed by the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (DR), supported by the Division of Human Resource Development (HRD) under the Career Access Program, to increase the representation of disadvantaged students in sciences, engineering, mathematics, and technology (SMET) at all levels. The SSC became an initiative program address- ing the precollege education level, particularly middle school grades (grades 7-9). The main goal of the SSC is "to provide a foundation for a lifelong interest in science and mathematics for all participants and to encourage the consideration of SMET as possible career choices."(2) A total of 122 SSC were funded nationwide by the NSF from 1992 to 1996, engaging the young participants in the process of learning by doing, encouraging them to begin to think of math and science as disciplines con- nected with their lives and communities, constructing experiences that yield toward uniquely personal scientific knowledge with