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Activities Supporting STEM Education at UA
Destination College is one of many programs for the pre-college community at The University of Akron. About 50 high school juniors are selected for the program and spend the summer focusing on skill development in mathematics, from arithmetic through trigonometry. Destination College prepares students who might not otherwise go to college for the college experience by providing ACT preparation, visits to colleges in northeast Ohio, and assistance in the college application process, with financial aid forms, and interviewing skills.
In Akron’s TRiO Math-Science Program, students who have completed the 8th grade and are at least 13 years old participate. The Program recruits from Akron Public Schools and serves 58 students who meet low income and first generation criteria, have an academic need for services and an interest in pursuing majors and/or careers in Math or Science. Over the past four years, Akron has had a 99% high school graduation rate. Of those graduating from high school 100% enrolled in college and approximately 48% choose the University of Akron. .
The Akron Early College High School is a unique partnership between Akron Public Schools and The University of Akron’s Summit College. The high school, located on The University of Akron’s campus, opened in the fall of 2007 with 100 first-year students. Each fall, a new entering class will be added until the high school reaches a maximum of 400 students. The high school is targeted at students who will be the first in their families to attend college. This four-year high school program allows students to earn a high school diploma and a significant amount of college credit through The University of Akron.
Summer Honors Institute. This program creates access to STEM careers for high school students. For over a decade, the University has challenged and engaged bright, inquisitive students with activities designed by our most creative faculty. The result is an experience where students and instructors are investigating, discovering, and creating new knowledge, new skills, and new friends. This is a full-day program, and students may commute to campus daily or take advantage of the residential option.
Through Project AMP: Selected Topics in Secondary Mathematics Akron offers in-service opportunities to secondary school teachers of mathematics. The individual university partners would be able to nominate teachers from their region to participate in this summer workshop opportunity.
The Akron Global Polymer Academy (AGPA) is a University of Akron program designed to help K-12 teachers improve the scientific literacy of their students. This program was showcased at the 2004 National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) 52nd National Convention. The Akron Global Polymer Academy has assembled fully developed lesson plans and videos of sample lectures, and links to science standards, best teaching practices and polymer resource materials. These teaching aids are available via the Internet at http://agpa.uakron.edu. Coordination will be done with area partner high schools to ensure that connections between the AGPA and the school systems are further developed, and to help integrate exposure of their students to polymer related activities in the Akron area. A partnership between the College of Education and Akron Public Schools, Explore Robotics aims to provide enrichment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to students at the sixth to eight grade level in urban public schools. Using the Lego Mindstorm system and hands-on, inquiry instructional methodology the program challenges students to solve various problems. Students design, construct and program their mechanical creations while developing observation, problem-solving, and reflective thinking skills. Incorporated lessons help students understand and effectively use STEM concepts related to the problems, and aligned with state standards increase learning opportunities. All of this is done in a supportive, academic yet playful environment stressing not only learning but also having fun in the process.
Igniting Streams of Learning. Through funding from the Ohio Board of Regents-Hiram College, Kent State University, and The University of Akron have designed an innovative Science Academy for students, teachers, scientists, agencies, and educators. The Summer Academy, a 12-day intensive residential summer learning experience is designed to inspire students to pursue careers in science education. Students will focus on ways to improve their own local Cuyahoga watershed Environment by using the latest technology for watershed analysis, by working with experts in the field, and by developing with scientists and teachers a high school curriculum that encourages local students to be active in improving the water quality of their local district. Ten school districts located within the middle and upper Cuyahoga watersheds were selected. Guidance counselors and teachers from these districts will nominate five 11th-12th grade students that have shown a strong interest in the field of science. The goal is to attract and retain academically capable high school students to careers in teaching and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics subjects, students who might not otherwise have considered teaching these subjects as a viable career. Because of its focus on critical thinking skills as well as the inclusion of other mathematics related topics delivered as part of an inquiry based approach, this effort is also expected to enhance student success in relevant mathematics courses.
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