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July 17, 2007
Summer boot camp provides academic boost for incoming freshmen
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - |
Fifty-six incoming freshmen who are registered in the colleges of engineering, technology and science are participating in Purdue's STEM Academic Boot Camp, which runs through Aug. 3. Founded by the Minority Engineering Program, the camp features intensive seminars that provide tools for succeeding in and outside of the classroom.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.
The students have come from throughout the nation, including the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.
"We know that the foundation for academic success is set in the first three semesters of college," said Virginia Booth-Gleghorn, director of Purdue's Minority Engineering Program. "Our goal is to help incoming students adjust to campus life and make a smooth transition from high school."
During the boot camp, students are staying in campus residence halls and working on an academic preview that covers the core concepts of first-semester courses in college algebra, calculus, trigonometry, chemistry, engineering and English, along with discipline-specific courses. They also will conduct cross-disciplinary scientific experiments on a remote-controlled on-road car.
"They will perform experiments on emissions, braking distance and handling to improve overall vehicle performance," Booth-Gleghorn said. "Student teams will then compete at the Grand Prix race track for best overall performance, handling and speed."
The competition will take place from 2:30-5 p.m. Sunday (July 29).
Booth-Gleghorn said the campers will continuously put their engineering, science, math and technology skills to the test.
"This is not a remedial program," Booth-Gleghorn said. "These are outstanding students that meet or exceed Purdue's aggressive entrance criteria. Our focus is African American, Native American and Hispanic American students, but any first-year Purdue student in a science related discipline is invited to participate."
The STEM Academic Boot Camp helps students in several key areas:
• Adjusting to the social and cultural differences as they move from high school to college.
• Helping them understand the differences in the way academic courses are taught at the university level, college learning styles, classroom size and ethnic mix.
• Experimenting with lab equipment at a university and applying textbook concepts to academic problems.
Antonia Munguia, College of Technology diversity director, said last year's camp had a positive impact.
"I definitely saw the different in the students," Munguia said. "They were more confident, familiar with their surroundings and could tackle the academics. It was neat to see the transformation."
Sponsors include the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and corporate sponsors of the Engineering, Science and Technology minority programs.
Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu
Sources: Virginia Booth-Gleghorn, (765) 494-3974, vboothgl@purdue.edu
Antonia Munguia, (765) 494-7522, amunguia@purdue.edu
Zenephia Evans, Multicultural Science Programs director (765) 494-1760, zevans@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
PHOTO CAPTION:
College of Technology students (from left) Aaron Coleman and Darren Robinson, both of Indianapolis, and Charles Robinson of Chicago work on their math skills at Purdue University's 2006 STEM Academic Boot Camp. The 2007 camp, which runs through Aug. 3, is designed to help incoming freshmen registered in the colleges of engineering, technology and science get a jump start in adjusting personally, socially and academically to college. Fifty-six students have come from throughout the nation, including the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of the Minority Engineering Program.)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2007/STEMbootcamp.jpg
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