LSU College of Engineering Hosts Pre-Engineering Camp for High School Students
July 6, 2009
Historically, underrepresented students have been disadvantaged by their lack of exposure to the field of engineering partly attributed to the absence of diverse role models in engineering. The effects of the disadvantages are borne out by the low percentage of underrepresented students enrolled in engineering degree programs, seeking graduate degrees, pursuing academic careers and working in the field of engineering.
Without the encouragement of teachers, professionals, and opportunities to investigate science in fun, inquiry-based learning activities, students have limited information to base their future decisions for course study. The result is that they may not have taken the necessary preparatory classes to consider majoring in an engineering discipline in college.
The LSU College of Engineering (CoE) partnered with three major industry leaders to provide a two week engineering experience for multi-cultural and female high school students. Recruitment into Engineering of High Ability Multicultural Students (REHAMS) is a pre-engineering camp for underrepresented students established to meet the challenge of recruiting greater numbers of academically talented, high school female and minority students. It is designed to spark participants' interest in engineering by providing hands-on experience projects, introducing basic engineering concepts, facilitating interaction with industry professionals, LSU engineering alumni and LSU engineering professors, as well as building confidence through leadership and team-building activities.
Sponsored by Shell, Dow, and Fluor Companies, REHAMS campers lived in LSU's on-campus housing, attended classes, participated in experiments, worked on individual and team/group projects and heard informative and motivational talks by guest speakers. Selected highlights of the camp included:
- industry tour of the Marathon Garyville Refinery by Fluor representatives
- industry luncheon with Shell employees
- closing ceremony with Dow representatives
- seminar on ACT Prep test taking skills
Organizing an engineering summer camp and getting high school students engaged during summer vacation isn't easy, but previous participants have confirmed that the camps are making a difference, as those campers typically apply to LSU's College of Engineering after high school.
In 2007, the College of Engineering (CoE) established the Office for Diversity Programs, overseeing both the Women in Engineering (WEP) and Minority Engineering Program (MEP). The Office for Diversity Programs initiatives focus on the recruitment and retention of female and minority students to thereby improve overall enrollment and graduation rates, and enhance diversity both within the CoE and the workforce. The College's goal in establishing the Office for Diversity Programs is "to enhance the academic environment for talented female and minority students and to increase the visibility of highly qualified women and minorities in all sectors of engineering."
Attracting aspiring students to CoE, and fostering their educational development, underscores the importance of short and long term efforts of the Office for Diversity Program.
Article by Mimi LaValle and Akilah Taylor, LSU College of Engineering, 225-578-5706, mlavall@lsu.edu
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