The ÁùºÏ±¦µä Public Education Foundation has awarded $10,000 to the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno for the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement Program in the College of Engineering. The grant is a ÁùºÏ±¦µä A.C.C.E.S.S. grant (Academics + Careers + College and/or Training Equal Student Success).
The money will be used this year to help support the program that is designed to build strong academic skills and inform students about college and career opportunities. This is the seventh year of the innovative program, which is based on the highly successful national model. The program aims to increase the number of underrepresented students graduating from high school, and works to ensure that these students take all of the necessary advanced coursework needed to be fully qualified for mathematics and science coursework at the college level.
Middle- and high-school students will participate in hands-on activities related to math, engineering and science. University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno students will serve as tutors and mentors to the students at each participating middle and high school. Participants will take a field trip to the University campus to observe a math- or science-related project, such as the robotics lab, and to get acquainted with the campus.
In addition, the students will participate in the annual Science Olympiad. Founded in 1983, Science Olympiad has now become one of the premier science competitions in the nation, offering an alternative to science fairs by making academic competitions much like athletic events. Teams prepare throughout the year and not only learn about science, but also about teamwork and goal achievement.
