Oklahoma students who will be in the eighth through
12th grade next fall can now sign up for free Summer Academies in
Math and Science sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education.
Summer Academies are designed to enhance students' knowledge of
math and science by introducing them to new and exciting fields
and concepts through hands-on learning experiences.
Academies last from one to six weeks on 22 college and university
campuses across the state. Depending on the academy, students either
stay on campus or commute from home.
Enrollment is limited, so students are encouraged to sign up early.
Students can obtain information about the academies from their school
counselors or math and science teachers or by calling 800.858.1840
or visiting Oklahoma higher education's Web site at www.okhighered.org.
Academy descriptions are listed under the Student Information section.
"Summer Academies give students a glimpse of how math and science
is used in the real world," said Chancellor Hans Brisch. "Through
interaction with professors, professionals, scientists and mathematicians,
students are introduced to new ideas, exciting career opportunities
and more. They gain experience that can be applied when they return
to school in the fall and even when they pursue a professional career
later."
Public and private colleges and universities compete to host Summer
Academies each year. The institutions submit proposals to the State
Regents. The plans are then reviewed by a committee of educators
representing both common and higher education.
Using the committee's recommendations, State Regents approved 36
programs for 2000, representing 22 Oklahoma college and university
campuses. The programs are funded through a $1.5 million appropriation
by the 1999 Oklahoma Legislature.
"Students who participate in Summer Academies find themselves immersed
in exciting areas such as aviation, space exploration, astronomy,
archaeology, computer technology, architecture, engineering, medicine
and more," said State Regents Chairman Bill W. Burgess Jr.
"Summer Academies are also an important component of Oklahoma's
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
(GEAR UP) initiative," Burgess added. "Last year, Congress awarded
Oklahoma a five-year grant totaling $20.5 million to better prepare
students for college.
"By attending academies on a college campus, students are not only
learning about real-world professions, but also learning more about
college life and what it takes to attend college," Burgess said.
Academies 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.
