Howard Community College

THE CRITICAL INGREDIENT: ATTRACTING & RETAINING STUDENTS will include phasing in engineering education at the elementary school level. As part of STEM Start, students take a summer course at HCC prior to their < < < community that are nurturing students' interests in STEM. These include: senior year in high school. The course Firing up Young Imaginations Educators agree that it is important to is designed to strengthen their college STEM Business and Education readiness skills and prepare them to take Coalition (STEM BEC) get young people excited about STEM college-level mathematics. In addition, careers early and help them make the they may choose to take pre-calculus or resources and support initiatives in connection between those careers and college algebra at HCC while they're in elementary schools. HCC participants met their education. And that's where HCC is 12th grade. with teachers, suggested resources the playing a vital role. STEM Start was launched with funding Educators and area businesses provided college could offer, and provided speakers. from the National Action Council for Dr. Bernadette Sandruck, chair of HCC's with HCC," says Deep Run Elementary Minorities in Engineering (NACME) and mathematics department, was a member of School Principal Cynthia Hankin. "Every the HCC Educational Foundation. While the steering committee. spring, our students tour the campus and students of all backgrounds are welcome visit the computer labs and other science- to participate in STEM Start," Peterka mathematics areas to see the myriad of says, "we strive to build a pipeline with opportunities available at HCC. In my 25 minority student representation." "We are proud of our partnership years of working in education, this is, by "The 'New' American Dilemma," Girl Power At a STEM career expo for middle and high school girls sponsored by the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County far, the most valuable field trip I've been a report issued by NACME and the for the past few years, HCC faculty involved in so far." Commission on Professionals in Science members have delivered demonstrations, and Technology, emphasized that the discussed career options, and provided Kids on Campus program for elementary disparity in the representation of women information about programs and through high school-age students. and minorities is a growing problem for scholarships available. Hundreds of children take a wide the STEM disciplines. According to the variety of classes, including "All about report, African-Americans, American Technology," "Elementary Engineering," Indians, and Latinos constitute 30 to 32 "Intermediate Engineering and Robotics," percent of the nation's undergraduate County schools' advisory boards to and many other topics related to STEM. students, yet fewer than 12 percent of provide advice on curricula, resources, Another innovative program offered baccalaureate engineering graduates in the and teaching techniques. Professor Vinitha by HCC is STEM Start, directed to rising U.S. are from underrepresented minorities. Nithianandam, computer technology Each summer, HCC sponsors the high school seniors with an interest in STEM Start helps students bridge the Curriculum Advisory Boards HCC faculty members sit on Howard and electronics, has participated on the STEM careers. "We started to think about transition from high school to college, Technology Advisory Board for five years. how we could provide an early college providing financial support for tuition "We meet monthly and work with high experience for students while they are and books to those who need it, and school teachers to examine the curricula, still in high school. With STEM Start, supporting greater student retention and and we set up articulation agreements we are trying to help students get on achievement. for students who successfully complete track with mathematics, because that is technology programs to transfer their the critical language of STEM," says Dr. Collaborating with the Community Cynthia Peterka, HCC vice president of HCC faculty and staff participate student services. 18 in a wide variety of programs in the Pathways | Howard Community College Spring 2011 credits," she says. "We also bring the technology students to campus and give them an overview of our program, a tour of

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