HUNTSVILLE – The University of Alabama in Huntsville has launched a high-school-to-college transition program for eligible incoming freshmen who plan to major in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields.
Applications are open for the Rocket Booster Summer Bridge Program to be held July 10-21.
The two-week program aims to increase the number of students who complete STEM baccalaureate degrees at UAH. It is funded by a grant from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, a federal funding stream through the U.S. Department of Education.
Participants will live on campus for the two weeks, including a weekend, and attend three mini-courses so they can experience college life firsthand.
Participants will also have opportunities for personal and professional development through workshops and field trips to local employers as well as have a little fun.
To apply, students must meet these basic requirements:
- Be admitted to UAH.
- Indicated they would major in a discipline in the College of Engineering or College of
Science. - ACT of 24 or 3.5 high school GPA in math, science and English.
- Applicants must be part of at least one of the following groups:
– Attended a Title I high school.
– Not taken any AP science or math courses.
– Not taken calculus.
– First-generation college student. - Pell Grant eligible.
- Underrepresented race or gender in STEM.
“Studies show that bridge programs work,” said Dr. Sharifa Love-Rutledge, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry. “Previous work within the Alabama Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation Program (ALSAMP) has shown that UAH’s program is impactful with greater than 80% retention and graduation rates of our program scholars.”
“We want to give our promising students the best chance of succeeding in STEM courses and going on to work in STEM fields.”
Dr. Michelle Greene, director of UAH’s Enhanced Teaching & Learning Center and a lecturer in chemistry, said the program introduces incoming freshmen to the academic life in college.
“We’ll help the students learn how to take notes, how to manage their time, how to form a study group,” she said. “The expectations on a student outside a college class are very different than outside a high school class.”
To apply for the Summer Bridge Program or for more information, click here. For information, email [email protected].
For more information about ALSAMP, email [email protected] or click here.
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