The College Crusade Partners with URI to Provide Afterschool Science Workshops
Aim of collaboration is to increase student readiness for careers in science and technology
Providence, R.I., November 10, 2008 – The College Crusade of Rhode Island is pleased to announce that it is partnering with the University of Rhode Island to provide afterschool science workshops for Crusaders at Nathanael Greene Middle School, Oliver Hazard Perry Middle School, and Roger Williams Middle School, all located in Providence. This innovative program is funded by a grant from the USDA’s Cooperative Extension Children Youth & Family At Risk Program and awarded to URI’s Children, 4-H and Families Program. The effort is also supported by URI’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) and the College of Human Science and Services (HSS).
The multi-year grant project, called “Pathways for Success in Science and Technology,” engages URI faculty, staff, and students in a coordinated long-term outreach effort to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in science and technology. As a partner in the project, The College Crusade is integrating URI science workshops into its afterschool programs for Providence middle school students. Through this program, students will explore a variety of topics, including food chemistry, human health, and urban environmental issues such as recycling and pollution, by performing experiments, practicing laboratory techniques, and learning about mapping using a GPS system.
“We know that young people who have early experiences with science and technology are more prepared for high school and beyond,” says Lauren Schechtman, middle school manager for The College Crusade. “These hands-on workshops designed by URI are exactly the kind of enrichment they need to gain an understanding of the role science plays in everyday life and to get them excited about learning more.” An additional aspect of the project aims to help parents of Crusaders learn how to foster their child’s academic success in school, especially in the areas of science and technology. Parent workshops are held in the evenings at the College Crusade office in Providence.
What is most unique about this collaboration is that undergraduate Natural Resource Science students from the University are engaged as instructors and mentors for the participating middle school students. This delivery model is supported through the collective efforts of URI Cooperative Extension outreach staff, including Phyllis Bocage (project leader and CYF specialist), Kim Pond (4-H science educator), Marcia Morreira (state 4-H program leader) and Marilyn Martin (CYF specialist). The involvement of key URI faculty is also essential to the success of this effort, involving professors David Abedon and Anthony Mallilo. Undergraduate student Beth McArdle coordinates the activities of the URI student mentors working in the three afterschool programs.
This collaborative effort is focused on preparing tomorrow’s workforce – in particular, a diverse workforce – so it is ready to engage in the many exciting, emerging careers requiring strong backgrounds in science and technology.
About The College Crusade of Rhode Island
The College Crusade of Rhode Island is the state’s most comprehensive college-readiness and scholarship program for middle school and high school students in low-income urban school districts. It serves approximately 3,800 students per year and rewards the efforts and achievements of financially eligible students with up to four years of college scholarships. From grade 6 through grade 12, Crusaders experience the steady, nurturing presence of caring adults and participate in activities that focus on academic enrichment, social and personal development, career awareness and exploration, and readiness for college. Students who are members of The College Crusade graduate and go right on to college at much higher rates than their peers in the state’s urban school districts. Since 2001, The College Crusade has awarded over $18 million in college scholarships to more than 2,500 graduates from Rhode Island high schools. For more information, please visit www.thecollegecrusade.org.
The College Crusade is a nonprofit organization funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP program, by the State of Rhode Island, and by private corporations, foundations, and individuals.
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Karen Donovan
Marketing and Communications Officer
The College Crusade of Rhode Island
134 Thurbers Avenue
Providence, RI 02905
phone 401 854 5506 ext 120
fax 401 854 5511
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