Summer Academy Students Receive 21st Century Scholars Certificate /June 15, 2000

More than 1,600 students will receive 21st Century Scholars certificates as recognition for their participation in the State Regents Summer Academies in Math and Science. The certificates, signed by both President Clinton and Secretary of Education Richard Riley were provided by the U.S. Department of Education through Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) - a program designed to better prepare middle and high school students for college.

There are 35 academies being held this summer across the state on 22 college and university campuses. Sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Summer Academies in Math and Science are designed to enhance seventh through 12th grade students' knowledge of math and science by introducing them to new and exciting fields and concepts through hands-on learning experiences.

"GEAR UP is a program that advances community partnerships aimed at strengthening school systems and creating a pathway to college," said Chancellor Hans Brisch. "The Summer Academies are a natural Oklahoma asset to leverage into this program. In addition to fortifying math and science skills, summer academies strengthen student achievement across the curriculum and they give students a chance to familiarize themselves with the college environment."

The Summer Academies last from one to six weeks and depending on the type of program being offered, students either stay on campus or commute from home. Students were able to choose from a variety of challenging and exciting subjects including ecology, molecular biology, statistics, education, astronomy, environmental science, engineering, geoarcheology, architecture, physics, paleontology, robotics, telecommunications, veterinary medicine, encryption, health science professions and plant biology.

"While one of the goals of the Summer Academies is to allow students from all backgrounds to have a college experience, a primary goal is to supplement the students’ math and science knowledge," said Brisch. "These goals augment the early intervention component of GEAR UP by giving students an opportunity to glimpse how math and science is used in the real world. Through interaction with college professors, field professionals, scientists and mathematicians, students are introduced to new ideas which can be applied when they return to school in the fall and even when they pursue a professional career later."

"We chose to distribute the 21st Century Scholars certificates during the Summer Academies to recognize student achievement as well as reward the students' initiative in spending time this summer exploring college life and learning more about careers in math and science," said State Regents Chairman Bill W. Burgess Jr.

Academies being offered this summer are:

Connors State College, Warner

• Ecological Investigation and Wilderness Adventure," Session 1: June 4-9, Session 2: June 11-16, Session 3: June 18-23 (Grades 9-12)
  

East Central University, Ada

• "Molecular Biology in Forensic Science," June 5-16 (Grades 10-12)
• "Statistics, Technology and Meteorology: A Basic Connection," June 12-23 (Grades 9-10)

Eastern Oklahoma State College, Wilburton

• "Summer Science Institute in Ecology," May 30-June 19 (Grades 10-12)

Langston University

• "An Intensive Summer Academy in Math, Science and Technology: Featuring Quarknet," June 4-30 (Grades 10-12)
• "Future Educator's Summer Academy," July 9-22 (Grades 9-12)

Murray State College, Tishomingo

• "2000 Summer Astronomy Academy," June 11-30 (Grades 10-12)

Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa

• "Summer Academy for Math, Science and Multidisciplinary Studies," June 12-30 (Grades 10-12)

Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva

• "Mathematics Technology: An Applications Paradigm," May 21-26 (Grades 10-11)

Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Enid

• "OSU/NWOSU Science Summer Academy," June 19-23 (Grade 8)

Oklahoma City University

• "Prairie to Peaks 2000: Technology and the Environment," Session 1: June 3-10, Session 2: July 29 - Aug. 5 (Grades 10-12)

Oklahoma Christian University, Edmond

• "Engineering the Next Millennium," Session 1: June 5-9, Session 2: June 12-16 (Grades 10-12)

Oklahoma City Community College

• "Applying the Skills of Technology in Science," June 5-23 (Grades 9-12)

Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwell

• "Summer Academy for Geoarchaeology," June 4-11 (Grades 10-12)

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

• "Aerospace Education High School Student Summer Academy," June 4-23 (Grades 11-12)
• "Academy for Range and Wildlife Ecology," June 11-16 (Grades 10-12)
• "Exploring Quantitative Analysis: A Basic Introduction," June 11-18 (Grades 9-10)
• "Oklahoma Principals' Science Scholars Bridging the Past and Future: Science, Mathematics and Technology of Traditional Cultures," Session 1: July 11-30, Session 2: July 9-28 (Grades 9-10)
• "OSU/NWOSU Science Summer Academy," Session 1: June 5-26 (Grade 12); Session 2: June 19-23 (Grade 8)
• "Reaching Engineering and Architecture Career Heights 2000," June 4-17 (Grades 11-12)
• "Summer Astronomy and Physics Academy: Our Future in the Solar System," July 3-28 (Grades 11-12)
• "Summer Paleontology Academy," June 4-30 (Grades 10-12)

Oral Roberts University, Tulsa

• "Integrated Program to Enhance Mathematics and Science Skills Through Hands-On and Peer-Teaching Experiences," Session 1: June 5-16, Session 2: June 19-30 (Grades 8-9), Session 3: June 5-16 (Grades 10-12)

Rose State College, Midwest City

• "Summer Academy for the Environmental Sciences," June 1-30 (Grades 10-12)

Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant

• "High Tech Adventures with Robots, Telecommunications, Computer Assisted Design and Graphics, Interfaces and Meteorology," June 12-23 (Grades 10-12)

Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford

• "Academy for Future Math and Science Teachers," June 5-23 (Grades 11-12)
• "Science, Mathematics and Technology in Industry, Partnership in Problem Solving," June 4-30 (Grades 11-12)

Tulsa Community College

• "Solving a Veterinary Medical Mystery," July 17-28 (Grades 8-9)

University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond

• "Public Secrets: The Science of Encryption and Other Careers in Mathematics and Technology," Session 1: June 19-30 (Grades 8-9), Session 2: July 6-19 (Grades 8-10)
• "Team Physics 2000: A Team Approach to Science and Technology," Session 1: June 5-21, Session 2: June 26-July 14 (Grades 10-12)

University of Oklahoma, Norman

• "Field Studies in Multidiscplinary Biology," June 4-July 1 (Grades 11-12)

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City

• "Summer Academy in the Health Sciences Professions," Session 1: June 5-16, Session 2: June 19-30 (Grades 11-12)

The University of Tulsa

• "Osage Teaching Academy," June 12-30 (Grades 10-11)
• "Tulsa Mathematics Equity Academy," June 11-23 (Grades 8-9 and 10-12th graders who have participated before)
• "The Tulsa Summer Teaching Academy," June 12-30 (Grades 11-12)

Western Oklahoma State College, Altus

• "Summer Academy in Plant Biology and Transgenics," June 5-14 (Grades 8-9)

The U.S. Department of Education awarded Oklahoma with a state GEAR UP grant totaling $20.5 million in August 1999. The grant has been matched by more than $25 million from state and partner resources. With funds totaling $45.5 million, GEAR UP receives 45 percent of total funding from the federal government and 55 percent from other organizations.