13 Jul, 2013
Samsung Offers Nearly 3,000 Teens a College Experience to Inspire Careers in Science
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 11, 2013–Samsung today announced its Summer Science Program, a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education program for high school youth from across the United States. With Samsung’s support, nearly 3,000 teens will attend week-long immersion sessions at one of six participating universities across the country during the summer.
The universities participating in the Samsung Summer Science Program are Oregon State University, University of Illinois, Michigan State University, Cornell University, Rutgers University and University of Florida. In particular, Samsung is promoting inclusion in STEM by supporting 400 Samsung Science Scholars from Portland, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Newark and Miami.
“By investing in promising students, we are able to foster interest and engagement in STEM subjects among today’s youth by making it relevant and fun,” said David Steel, Executive Vice President of Samsung Electronics North America. “Samsung is particularly interested in making this program inclusive by ensuring that kids from urban communities are able to participate. It is our hope that the Samsung Summer Science Program helps to develop tomorrow’s leaders in critical STEM subject areas.”
“When I heard about the Samsung scholarship I thought it would be a way to afford the program,” said Randa Taher, Samsung Scholar, Cornell University from Brooklyn, New York. “I was already planning to major in digital media, so this is just helping me take my first steps towards that. It’s a really nice experience getting to work with technology, especially new technology.”
The curriculum of the Samsung Summer Science Program will be taught by college professors, and will consist of subjects such as biotechnology, computer science, engineering, environmental science, geospatial technologies, marine science and robotics. By conducting the camps at higher education institutions, students are able to experience hands-on STEM learning in a real-world, college-university environment that encourages continuing education beyond high school.
“The genesis of the summer science program was to provide students with the idea of STEM beyond what they were getting within their high school curriculum,” said Rick Lathrop, Director for the Center for Remote Sensing and Spacial Analysis, Rutgers University. “The area I’m in is very heavily technology focused but the idea is how we can make the connection between the technology and the real world application. Having this mobile technology like the Galaxy Notes will allow us to link up the data we collect out in the field with the other kinds of information that we have back in the lab.”
As part of the grant and upon completion of the Samsung Summer Science Program, Samsung Scholars will act as ambassadors to develop and teach a STEM lesson to peers in their local communities. The lessons will be based on the completed summer camp courses and will help these “Ambassadors” increase STEM awareness and interest by their peers at home. The Ambassadors will also produce videos of their STEM teaching experience, which will be submitted for a chance to win a Samsung technology package.
In addition to its grant, an in-kind donation of Galaxy Note 10.1 tablets from Samsung will provide Samsung Scholars with the opportunity to collect and process data for their projects and share real-time updates of their work and campus experience. The tablets will also offer the students the ability to capture photos and videos of their work helping them extend their learning experiences at the Samsung Summer Science Camp into the future.
The Samsung Summer Science Program is administered through National 4-H Council and its network of U.S. land grant colleges and universities.
The Samsung Summer Science Program is part of Samsung Hope for Children, the company’s philanthropic initiative focused on helping children lead healthier, smarter, and more sustainable lives.
HD broadcast footage from the Samsung Summer Science Program is available at media.dmsprod.com/summerscience.
Loading ...
Liked this article? Share it!