HBCU-UP

NSF Summer Academy Brochure (PDF)

Student Recommendation (PDF)

Student Application (PDF)

HBCU-UP Newsletter (PDF)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) made an award to Bennett College for Women to implement a Computational Science theme throughout the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. The award was made under the NSF Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) and extends from September 1, 2005 through August 31, 2008. The national program is committed to increasing the quality of (STEM) education at HBCUs throughout the country. HBCU-UP recognizes and supports the important role that HBCUs play in increasing the numbers of underrepresented ethnic minorities that are well prepared for participation and leadership in STEM.

The Bennett College for Women HBCU-UP Project will strengthen STEM teaching and learning through the development and implementation of effective and innovative learning strategies with a thematic focus on Computational Science. Computational science is an interdisciplinary field, which applies principles of mathematics and computer science to the solution of complex scientific research problems such as the causes of global warming and the transmission of viruses during global epidemics. The STEM departments involved in the Project at the College are the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics & Computer Science. The departments work together to: 1) Increase recruitment, retention, and graduation rates in STEM; 2) Enhance the scholarly productivity and technological expertise of STEM faculty; and 3) Revise the STEM curriculum to better prepare students to enter graduate and professional schools, and to assume productive careers in new interdisciplinary fields.

HBCU-UP Scholars are a select group of students who are awarded scholarships to assist with their financial obligations and who are especially encouraged to take advantage of the many opportunities to become familiar with computational science. Several activities are designed to enable the departments to introduce the field to Scholars and to all interested students. Included in the activities and experiences are training sessions in computational science for faculty and students, field trips to computational science programs, research assistantships, peer tutoring positions, a colloquium series that brings outstanding visiting scientists to campus to discuss their research in computational science, introduction of simulations and modeling concepts in courses, and implementation of a NSF Summer Academy. The Academy makes it possible for entering freshwomen and rising high school seniors to jump-start their collegiate experience by earning credit for introductory college courses. Additionally, students are introduced to computational science through laboratory exercises, co-curricular experiences, and visiting scientists.

The President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee published a report for the U.S. government in June 2005 emphasizing the importance of educating students in computational science as a method of “ensuring America’s competitiveness” in scientific research and in business. All students and faculty are urged to take a few moments to learn more about this exciting field.