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Health & Fitness

Summer STEM Activities at PSC Open to Area High School Students and Grads

The Prairie State College (PSC) STEM@PSC program is hosting two summer programs for area high school students and graduates interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines.

The Science and Math Camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Mondays through Thursdays, from July 7 through 31, and the deadline to apply is April 30. The Summer Bridge Program will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30, Mondays and Wednesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from July 7 through 31. The deadline to apply for the Bridge Program is May 30.

The Summer Science and Math Camp is a free four-week experience for students in the PSC district entering their senior year of high school in fall 2014 who are interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) majors after graduation. The goal is to help them advance their understanding in science and math, learn about current science and math research areas, and research STEM career paths.

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Among the highlights for students who participate in the Science and Math Camp are Field trips to see professionals in different science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers, group projects, and college style lectures and labs.

The Summer Bridge Program is a free program intended for incoming freshman students interested in STEM majors who are enrolled or enrolling at PSC, and whose COMPASS Placement Test math scores were lower than expected. The goal is to assist these students in preparing to retake the math section of the test and get placed into the correct course, thereby decreasing the amount of time it takes to graduate from PSC. Once they’ve received their new scores, students meet with their STEM advisors to work on a degree completion plan.

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Of the 25 students that participated in last summer’s program, half increased their COMPASS Placement Test math scores, with some jumping more than one course, saving $464 for each class skipped.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for these students. I do not know anyone who wants to spend hard earned dollars unnecessarily, said PSC President Dr. Terri L. Winfree. “This is such an abundant learning opportunity to spend time with such high quality faculty while saving time and money." 

Both the Summer Science and Math Camp and Summer Bridge Program are STEM@PSC programs made possible by funds from U.S. Department of Education grants.

STEM@PSC is dedicated to student success by building a supportive learning community, beginning with first-year students and guiding them throughout degree completion and the transfer process.  

For more information, contact Paula Bulaon at (708) 709-3798 or email pbulaon@prairiestate.edu.


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