OSU Precollege Programs Blog and News

The newly formed Oregon Regional MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Program is designed to provide hands-on instruction and support for educators seeking to integrate STEM while engaging their students in authentic, inquiry-based, experiential learning.  Last year, Oregon Sea Grant’s Marine Education Program worked with University of Washington staff to establish the Oregon Regional MATE ROV Program which is expected to grow this year.  In the program, students work in small groups to design and build underwater robots to accomplish missions based on real-world activities, while learning about the engineering design process, ocean exploration, and forces such as buoyancy, drag and thrust.  Students then compete regionally and   nationally against other teams while interacting with marine technology professionals and college students who act as mentors throughout the process.  The program is designed to reach, engage, and support the participation of middle school students, at a critical point in the educational pathway where students, particularly ethnic minorities, are most likely to lose interest in math and science.

On May 4th, 2013, the regional MATE ROV competition was held at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.  24 middle school teams from Lincoln county competed in the event which focused on ocean observing systems.

Check out this additional article: http://www.beachconnection.net/news/rovwar040713_904.php

From LIFE@OSU

Under the watchful eye of Oregon State University student Vanessa Robinson, a Lincoln School student carefully combined tape, a plastic spoon and some small sticks to make his unique version of a catapult. Robinson’s eyes widened as she saw his technique.

“That is a creative solution I’ve never seen before,” she said. “Let’s show your dad.”

Around the pair, dozens of other elementary students and parents were crowded around, working on their own experiments. The gymnasium of Lincoln School was abuzz with laughter, shouting and intense discussions during their once-a-term Family Math and Science Night. A similar event is held at Garfield Elementary. The goal is to have children, families and teachers work together as partners to engage in learning science.

The event is facilitated by a group of enthusiastic soon-to-be teachers who are enrolled in Assistant Professor SueAnn Bottoms’ class on scientific methods. These pre-service teachers don’t get a lot of time to spend actually working with students, which is why Bottoms makes sure that in her class, working with elementary students at Garfield and Lincoln Schools is one of the requirements in her class.

The family night events are coordinated between the College of Education faculty, and the OSU-affiliated programs 4-H and SMILE (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences). 4-H holds once-a-week afterschool science and math programs at Garfield and Lincoln, and during fall and spring term, Bottoms’ students usually spend about four or five sessions working one-on-one or in small groups with participating children. This allows them to practice their teaching skills, specifically in the area of science education.

Read the whole story on LIFE@OSU.

Nyssa, Ore., is located on Oregon’s eastern border, much closer to Boise than Portland. The town’s only high school has about 300 students. Many of the students are Latino, most come from rural, lower income families, and few have parents who attended college (less than 7 percent of adults in Nyssa have a degree).

But in the last 25 years, the idea of attending college has become more of a reality for Nyssa High School students. In part, that’s because of a strong relationship they’ve formed with Oregon State University through an afterschool program called SMILE (Science & Math Investigative Learning Experiences Program).

SMILE provides educational programming through its afterschool science and math clubs for more than 650 underserved youth, and training and support to 55 teachers in 34 rural grade and high schools in Oregon. The teachers attend workshops held at OSU where they learn to serve as after-school club advisors, are provided curriculum and engaging activities to foster interest and engagement in to participating students which emphasizes math, science, engineering and health. A majority of those students are Latino and Native American, and the rest are low-income white students.

Read more on LIFE@OSU

How Do We Explore 5-12th Grade Educator Workshop: Saturday, November 10, 2012

Join us at the Hatfield Marine Science Center for How Do We Explore? Volume 2 of the Okeanos Explorer Education Materials Collection from NOAA.  During this day long professional development for educators of 5-12th grade students, participants will learn how to use standards-based lessons and other online resources that guide classroom investigations into the innovative exploration and equipment on the Okeanos Explorer research vessel.  Registration is required and space is limited.  Educators who participate the full day will receive a $50 stipend as well as education materials, a continental breakfast and lunch.  To download a registration form visit http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/visitor/education-programs/teachers.

Careers in Science Investigations: Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Students in the 9-12th grades visit the Hatfield Marine Science Center from 9:30 to 3:30 to hear from researchers about upcoming projects and assist in data collection, explore science through hands-on activities and experience behind-the-scenes tours.  The cost is $20.00 per student or $25.00 with a t-shirt.  For a flier and registration form visit http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/visitor/education-programs/career-day.  Pre-registration is required and space is limited!

OSU’s Precollege Programs is lucky to participate in the PROMISE internship program. PROMISE stands for Professional and Managerial Internships in State Employment and pairs OSU juniors and seniors with paid work experience at a variety of state and local government agencies. The program, which is operated out of the OSU Office of Equity and Inclusion, lasts for 10 weeks each summer, and many of its participants are from historically underrepresented groups. Learn more about the PROMISE program and our intern Kas’ experience on Life@OSU.

Kasra Asizian, right, Ralen Jones, center, and Sophie Wilson, left, help clear weeds in the SAGE community garden as part of a community service project. Photo: Theresa Hogue

The Talented and Gifted Programs (TAG) at OSU just completed their two-week day camp experiences. One of the programs, Outside the Box was featured in the Gazette Times.

Check out the article here: http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/education/osu-program-catches-bright-kids-early/article_617e79fe-d31e-11e1-8077-0019bb2963f4.html?comment_form=true

Do you like working with kids? Want a job on campus? Apply to be a Campus Field Trip Leader!

Job Description: Student will lead K-12 students during their sponsored field trips to OSU, provide campus tours and work with the Precollege Programs Coordinator to organize activities for the groups. Schedule permitting assistance with the actual visit to OSU will be required.  When there are no groups, the student will do light office work assisting the Office of Precollege Programs and other youth outreach programs.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Providing campus tours to visiting school and community groups, escorting groups to activities/presentations and answering applicable questions.
• Acting as an ambassador and representative for both OSU and Precollege Programs.
• Working in the office, creating information packets for groups, assisting with advertising opportunities, helping with mailings and other organizational tasks.
• Assisting other precollege programs at events and in the office.
• Being flexible to do a variety of tasks that may arise, with a schedule that might change week-to-week.

Job Qualifications: Must have experience working with youth, especially middle school students, and have demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to lead large groups.  Students should be able to effectively communicate with K-12 students, as well as teachers and faculty.  Should be self-directed and motivated individuals who are able to adapt to changing circumstances.  The job also requires extensive walking, familiarity with campus, and a flexible schedule.  Spanish language skills are a plus.

Department: Precollege Programs – Supervisor: Katie Neiert – Dates: Academic Year 2012-13

Please email cover letter describing why you are interested in and qualified for this position. Also attach resume with 2-3 professional references and an unofficial transcript. If chosen for an interview, you will be required to submit your fall class schedule.

Email all materials to katie.neiert@oregonstate.edu by Friday, June 8th.

120 middle school girls plus their parents were at OSU on Saturday for the annual “Discovering the Scientist Within” program put on by a collaborative group across campus and the community.  The event is designed to foster teenage girls interest in science and engineering in addition to connecting with parents about ways to continue encouraging their daughters in these fields. Attendees came from all over the state; check out coverage from Corvallis’ Gazette-Times.

Oregon State University awarded $64,583 grant to increase college access

Contact:   Di Saunders, Oregon University System – Office: 503-725-5714

Source:    Adrienne Enriquez, CACG Program Manager – Office: 503-725-2914

Portland, OR, November 11, 2011 – The State of Oregon announced that it has awarded a $64,583 grant to the Oregon State University (OSU)’s College Access Initiative through the Office of Precollege Programs that offer a wide range of college access and academic enrichment opportunities for Oregon’s youth. Funded through a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education received by Oregon in August, this award is part of the College Access Challenge Grant (CACG) program that awarded grants to 20 pre-college preparation programs across the state for a total of $915,000 in support.

The College Access Initiative project will expand the capacity of six key outreach programs at Oregon State University that form a continuous pipeline between elementary school and college. These programs represent a broad range of topics, formats, and student opportunities, including afterschool clubs (SMILE and AWSEM), day camps (Saturday Academy and Outside the Box), summer residential camps (SESEY), and school field trips (Campus Field Trips). Together these programs will provide college access programming to over 1,000 additional students from low-income, first-generation, and underserved minority backgrounds.

“This grant will significantly increase the capacity of our programs, allowing more students to participate,” said Kate Peterson, assistant provost of enrollment management at Oregon State University. “These programs have a high impact on students because they are fun, exciting, challenging learning experiences coupled with information on preparing for college, applying for scholarships and financial aid, and where to get answers and assurance that there are caring individuals ready to support their success.”

Precollege programs at OSU serve elementary, middle and high school students across the state through partnerships with local school districts, GEAR UP schools, TRiO programs, 4-H International Programs, and Boys & Girls Clubs. Besides the $64,583 provided by the grant, Oregon State University will be providing an additional $53,450 in matching funds to run the program.

Stephanie Carnahan, director of college access programs for the Oregon University System, said, “There is a great need in Oregon for pre-college programs that help students and families understand how to access college in a comprehensive way, from academic preparation to understanding how financial aid works. OSU’s College Access Initiative is a great example of the type of support that all Oregon students need in order to ensure that they can access college and be academically and otherwise prepared to succeed in their education and career goals.”

The College Access Challenge Grant Program (CACG) is a formula grant program that is designed to foster partnerships among Federal, State and local government entities and philanthropic organizations to significantly increase the number of underrepresented students who enter and remain in postsecondary education. CACG provides grants to States to meet the needs of underrepresented students and families. In Oregon, all education sectors and the Governor’s Office are involved in the CACG, and the Oregon University System is the fiscal agent for the grant.