Given the pivotal role that science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) play in our modern workforce and daily lives, it is critical that STEM careers and college degree programs draw the interest of talented students from diverse backgrounds. Middle school is a vital time to capture students’ interest, lay an essential foundation in mathematics, and help students form a STEM identity.
犹他谷大学’s PreFreshman Engineering Program (UVU PREP) engages middle school students in fun yet challenging STEM education. For six weeks every summer, students participate in authentic, hands-on experiences with highly qualified teachers in the fields of physics, engineering, math, technology, and more.
Participants also learn about a breadth of STEM careers and opportunities through guest speakers and field trips. They see the practical application of mathematics and scientific principles through engaging projects and contemporary technology. 学生s also get excited about math because they see how it works as a foundational building block. This program helps students envision themselves in STEM college programs and careers.
UVU PREP is free to middle schoolers with an interest and aptitude in STEM, making this pivotal program accessible to students from all backgrounds. I invite you to read more about UVU PREP and envision yourself as a STEM supporter. Help us make a strong STEM future a reality.
真诚地,
学校社区大学合作主任
在于
2013年至2021年的前UVU PREP学生正在上大学
这些学生中有一半曾就读或现在就读于弗吉尼亚大学
STEM工作岗位增长超过
2009年至2015年间非stem工作的比例
2013年，UVU PREP迎来了25名学生。 预计2023年的班级将有220名学生。
UVU PREP提供三年免费STEM教育：
第一年
第二年
第三年
来源: UVU关怀中心
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in early education play a key role in young students’ development. STEM education fosters critical thinking, increases scientific literacy, fuels curiosity, and produces the next generation of innovators.
STEM occupations are growing, and STEM workers have higher median salaries than their non-STEM counterparts. Even as the STEM workforce grows, critical educational challenges need to be addressed. Average mathematics and science scores among U.S. students lag behind those of other developed countries, and the lack of diversity in STEM professions is a national concern. In Utah, the need for STEM workers outpaces the number of qualified employees who can fill positions.
At 犹他谷大学, UVU PREP provides solutions by reaching students at a pivotal age and supplementing their STEM education. UVU PREP is a STEM summer program for middle school and junior high students from the Alpine, Nebo, and Provo school districts. The program provides three consecutive summers of rigorous academic instruction, hands-on educational projects, challenging homework assignments, and insightful field trips. The program, including lunch and learning materials, is completely free for admitted students.
Each summer, incoming seventh, eighth, and ninth-grade students interested in STEM are immersed in six weeks of accelerated curriculum on UVU’s Orem Campus. These students apply in sixth grade and are selected based on academic performance, teacher recommendation, and a short personal essay.
By reaching students early, UVU PREP nurtures students’ interests and builds their confidence — and this early intervention is imperative for students traditionally underrepresented in STEM classrooms and professions. UVU PREP not only generates future employees to fill Utah’s growing needs but also supports diversity in STEM education and professions.
1 图/ LBR-12 ncses.nsf.gov /酒吧/ nsb20212 /
2 pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/02/15/u-s-students-internationally-math-science
UVU预备目标
|
1 |
激励未被充分代表的中学生追求STEM职业 |
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2 |
让中学生参与STEM速成课程 |
Many students enrolled in UVU PREP come from populations that are underrepresented in STEM. 这些学生可能觉得自己在高等教育中没有一席之地。 UVU PREP shows participants that they belong and that their contributions are valued.
Women and people of color are underrepresented in STEM jobs relative to their presence in the U.S. workforce. The prevalence of stereotypical bias deters women from pursuing education and careers in STEM. A 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress survey found that young girls become interested in STEM subjects at age 11 but lose interest by age 15.
A 2017 Pew Research Center study found that people of color are underrepresented in STEM work primarily because of a lack of educational opportunities. This research also found that students of color were less likely to receive encouragement at an early age to pursue STEMrelated subjects.
UVU PREP reaches children of diverse backgrounds when they are most open to exploring STEM disciplines. The program provides advanced lessons, experiential learning opportunities, and exposure to diverse instructors and role models. At no cost to the students, UVU PREP strengthens STEM education and reinforces participating students’ self-assurance. The program unites unique, talented students from three school districts and allows students who share a love for STEM to make lasting friendships.
早期数据显示，UVU PREP的第一批学生取得了令人难以置信的成功。 A large percentage of students who have completed UVU PREP are currently earning college degrees, many at UVU. UVU PREP’s positive impact on middle school students is immeasurable — not only in education but also in building self-confidence, determination, and lasting relationships. Essential resources are needed to continue providing this unique educational opportunity to Utah students. Additional funding to increase UVU PREP’s reach, hire qualified staff, and purchase up-to-date technology will enhance students’ experience in the program.
有针对性的招聘
有针对性的招聘是UVU PREP持续成功的关键。 In the seven years since UVU PREP’s inception, demand for the program has grown tremendously. In 2013, UVU PREP accepted 25 students. 2022年，共有220名学生参加。 The uptick in interest is due to the staff ’s continuing outreach efforts to local sixth-grade classes and the program’s growing reputation and visibility.
Each year, program staff make a concentrated effort to share information about UVU PREP with sixth-grade students from diverse backgrounds, particularly in Title 1 schools. 这些课堂演讲需要时间和人力。 Further efforts include professional marketing materials that showcase what UVU PREP offers. With additional funding, staff can expand their current outreach and provide this opportunity to more students.
暑期助理:
UVU PREP依赖于其最重要的资源之一：充足的员工。 The program has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and AmeriCorps to hire outstanding summer associates who act as student mentors and UVU PREP instructor teaching assistants.
AmeriCorps grants funds for 31 summer associates who work 300-450 hours over the sixweek program. Many associates feel passionate about introducing younger students to the world of STEM, while others are natural instructors. These associates are undergraduates from UVU and other local universities, and most are majoring in STEM-related fields or education. Summer associates often learn concepts alongside middle schoolers and exchange ideas, talk through problems, and tap into younger students’ knowledge.
从实践经验中学习
UVU PREP teaches student-centered and experiential skills, as STEM education requires experiential learning. chromebook用于物理和工程课程。 By their third year, students are fully immersed in computer science work, which requires laptops with more advanced capabilities.
Right now, UVU PREP is working with an insuff icient number of laptops, making it difficult for students to use the technology needed for the program’s activities. Funding for additional technology will help students prepare for their journeys in higher STEM education.
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学生奖状
Jaxon乌鸦
今年我从自己身上学到的是，我可以做困难的事情。 I can basically do ANYTHING if I have a growth mindset.
乔恩·拉米雷斯
This program challenged me to the point that my head hurt, and I felt like quitting this program. 我没有放弃，一旦我解决了这个问题，我感到很有成就感，内心很好。 现在我觉得我可以了。
Tayla迈耶
I like to struggle because it makes me want to work even harder and pushes me to make my brain even bigger.
为未来做准备
Along with valuable instruction for learners, UVU PREP provides hands-on learning opportunities for UVU students who are hired as summer associates to help run the program.
Kason Binford came to UVU as a firstgeneration student, but he wasn’t sure what to study.
“我一直喜欢和孩子们一起工作，甚至在我上高中的时候，”他说。 “That sparked a desire to work in teaching.”
Kason first began working with UVU PREP as an undergraduate, and his experience in the program encouraged him as he pursued a degree in math education. He worked as a summer associate for the program for four years.
“UVU PREP helped me develop a teaching philosophy because I saw real teachers in the classroom,” Kason said. “I was getting to see professionals do classroom management, teach curriculum, engage students, all those things. 我必须承担自己的责任。”
临近毕业时，卡森知道自己想成为一名弗吉尼亚大学预科老师。
“It just so happened that a teaching position opened up the same year I got my degree,” he said. “所以我参加了面试，得到了这份工作。”
Along with a full-time teaching position as a math educator at the Utah County Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Kason has worked as a UVU PREP teacher for the past three summers. 他期待着继续教育未来的STEM学生。
UVU PREP的高级课程提供了在典型教室中找不到的独特机会。 One of the program’s most important missions is to provide the best education possible every summer. 为了实现其使命，该计划需要在以下几个方面提供援助：
科技T
During 科技T lessons, UVU PREP students are exposed to the latest innovations, including robot interactivity, 3D modeling, virtual reality goggles, and more. These hands-on experiences bring STEM concepts to life.
UVU professors continually develop dynamic curricula for 科技T, including 18 lesson plans emphasizing experiential learning. Involving these faculty members enriches UVU PREP students’ STEM experience, but significant funds are needed to sustain faculty mentorship. Increased funding will give UVU PREP students the best possible experiences with new technologies and UVU faculty members.3
更新课程
Technology evolves rapidly, and UVU PREP’s instructional materials must be regularly updated to ref lect this. UVU PREP employs a specialist who facilitates the necessary materials and curricula updates for the nine on-site courses and satellite locations inspired by the program. Through dynamic and agile programming, UVU PREP has built a reputation as a leader in STEM education. Funding helps the program employ a UVU PREP curriculum specialist who optimizes and designs learning experiences for participants.
远足
Field trips complement students’ rigorous classroom work and provide space for meaningful, formative experiences. Past cohorts have enjoyed engaged-learning trips to planetariums, museums, and aquariums and have toured workplaces of STEM industry leaders. This exposure is crucial in showing students potential STEM career paths.
为200多名学生和员工创造这些体验需要资金。 Busing and entrance fees to field trip destinations are costly, but students can continue participating in invaluable learning opportunities with additional financial support.
奖励措施及闭幕庆典
UVU PREP学生连续三个暑假都要上难上的课。 出勤率是强制性的，课程也很有挑战性。 These are huge sacrifices for incoming seventh, eighth, and ninth graders; however, most participating students find that, though the work is intensive, it is worth the effort. 学生s who complete all three years celebrate with a day of rock climbing, laser tag, and bowling.
At the Closing Celebration, UVU PREP staff and teachers hand out small gifts, such as UVU swag, to inspire these students in their future endeavors.
额外的资金可以减轻这些年度成本。
学生奖状
艾琳娜·辛普森
I learned that I am capable of so many things and that if I want to accomplish something I have to work hard at it.
Dallin Bertasso
我知道我可以做困难的事情。 而且，如果我挣扎，我仍然会学习。 This program was challenging, but I learned how to work through it.
大卫·洛佩兹
如果我足够努力，我可以完成很多事情。
玛丽Turgerelt
我明白了，即使有些事情很难，它也可以很有趣。 I look forward to class every day. Now, I feel like challenges are much more fun than they were before I came to this class. 这让我对自己有了信心。
从事STEM是一个激动人心的时代。 过y day, new scientific and technological discoveries are made. Engineers, programmers, and scientists are in higher demand than ever before. With your support, UVU PREP can continue its mission and grow to create an even greater impact. Your gift will enrich the lives of students who will drive development and innovation in our community and around the world.
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