Partnering with Industrial and Regional Assets for Teaching and Enrichment in Science (PIRATES) Summer Science Group Grant uri icon

abstract

  • PIRATES are at the heart of a successful summer science camp created by the Department of Biology at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. PIRATES is an acronym for Partnering with Industrial and Regional Assets for Teaching and Enrichment in Science. East Carolina University is located in eastern North Carolina, an economically distressed region of the state where many school systems lack the technological and scientific resources for use by teachers to engage students. This has translated into poor performance on end-of-course tests in the sciences. Before the inaugural summer of PIRATES in 2006, a focus group we conducted with high school students in our area revealed that their laboratory experiences were lacking, and that cost was an obstacle for them in pursuing enrichment opportunities. The results from the evaluation after our first summer confirm the fact that we have met the BWF goal of nurturing students' enthusiasm for science and mathematics. During both sessions, students reported an increased interest in science after attending the camp. The PIRATES Summer Science Camp is designed to tap the many resources of East Carolina and to harness the science in the students' own backyard that will allow for exciting hands-on, minds-on learning. Through our partnerships with three public school systems and a variety of regional industries and research sites unique to eastern North Carolina, East Carolina can help students expand their knowledge of, competence in, and enthusiasm for science. Another exciting aspect of this program is our plan for a two-week residential program, which exposes these high school students to life on a college campus. PIRATES will target rising high school juniors and seniors from the counties of Beaufort, Martin, and Greene in rural eastern North Carolina. In all of these counties, per capita income continues to trail the North Carolina state average, and approximately 20% of the population falls below the poverty rate. In our selection process, we will consider economic status and basic aptitude and interest in science. Our camp in the summer of 2006 attracted female and minority students who are typically underrepresented in fields of science and technology, but whose diversity can add tremendously to our educational efforts. A large majority of the students qualified as disadvantaged according to their annual household income as noted on the application, and a majority were female, and from a minority group, either African American or Hispanic. The majority of attendees at both sessions were female (over 1-60%) and African American (over 80% in Session One and over 60% in Session Two). We are confident that we can again serve these populations of students through our recruitment and selection process. Students will attend the camp at no cost and will receive stipends. On campus, students will perform inquiry-based investigations into concepts from molecular biology, ecological science, agricultural science, and chemistry research alongside experienced scientists. Industrial field trips to such places as Weyerhaeuser Corporation, will connect students' content knowledge to real world applications through meaningful interactions with other science professionals. Students will have an opportunity to share the information they learn with parents and school officials through professional poster presentations. As evidenced by our results in 2006, we fully expect to foster student enthusiasm and interest in science and research by providing these diverse and engaging activities. Additionally, students will be exposed to various career choices in science-many of which are available in their own communities. We will evaluate students pre- and post-camp to gauge performance on end-of-course tests, participation in science courses and other science activities, and college/career choices.

date/time interval

  • February 2006 - May 2011