LSAMP Bridge Program for Scientists and Engineers
Bridge 2009
The Summer Bridge Program for Scientists and Engineers is
a program initiated by the
A. James Clark School of Engineering and the College of Computer, Mathematical, & Physical Sciences (CMPS) at the University of Maryland, College Park. The program invites about 20 students accepted into the Clark School, CMPS, or Letters of Science to participate in a five-week residential summer program that offers them an opportunity to get a head start in undergraduate coursework and make a smooth transition from high school to college.
Throughout the academic year students receive mandatory advising and participate in special activities designed to increase retention, promote academic excellence, and expose them to internship and undergraduate research opportunities.
The general format of the program is given below:
- Morning class
- Mid-morning academic success workshops
- Lunch
- Science Exploration Period
- Late-afternoon supplemental instruction
Morning Classes
The Summer Bridge Program offers classes in mathematics on topics such as advanced algebra, pre-calculus, calculus, and advanced placement calculus.
Placement in courses depend on the student’s performance on the Math Placement Exam administered by the University of Maryland Mathematics Department. Each student will receive 3 credits on successful completion of the course.
Students take the math placement exam on the first day of the program and results are given to the students in the afternoon.
The morning classes on mathematics serve as an opportunity for students to strengthen their skills where necessary before being merged into the University curriculum. If students perform well in the summer math classes, they will have the opportunity to advance in sequence to the next level mathematics course when they enroll for the Fall semester.
Student Success Seminars. Student Success Seminars are held during the mid-morning hours of the summer program. These may include workshops on time-management, study and test-taking strategies, dealing with stress, career development, diversity, health and fitness awareness etc. Academic success workshops are facilitated by staff of the University of Maryland.
Summer Science Engineering Lab
The Summer Science Engineering Lab (SSEL) is a period where students work on science projects in disciplines ranging from mathematics, physics, engineering, astronomy, meteorology, and geology. Students are divided into groups of three and four and assigned a project from the above area.
During SSEL, students:
- Work on projects from the above science disciplines
- Catalogue and compose activities in a research journal
- Construct a scientific written report on the projects
- Give a PowerPoint presentation on the science projects
The goals of SSEL are to:
- expose students to various science and engineering applications
- provide a minimal amount of research experience
- encourage students to pursue careers and majors in the sciences and engineering fields
Another component of SSEL is visitations to science labs and research facilities, as well as exposure to science demonstrations. In the past Summer Bridge students visited the following facilities during SSEL:
- WL Gore and Associates
- Booz, Allen, Hamilton
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
- Physics is Phun by Dr. Richard Berg
- University of Maryland Glenn Martin Wind Tunnel
- University of Maryland Bioprocess Scale-Up Facility
- University of Maryland Materials Research Science & Engineering Center
- University of Maryland Space Science Laboratory
- University of Maryland Outdoor Recreational Center
- University of Maryland Astronomy Observatory
Supplemental Instruction
During supplemental instruction, University of Maryland undergraduates majoring in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields work with Summer Bridge students on math problems or homework problems in the areas of advanced calculus, pre-calculus, or calculus.
Bridge participants are enrolled during their freshman year into a course titled "Leadership and Scholarship, the Bridge to Effective Citizenship". Upon successful completion of the coursework in the Fall and Spring semesters the students receive 1 credit. The main objective of this course is to provide a seminar experience for students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines that introduces them to historical and contemporary leadership philosiphies, competencies, and practices. Additionally, students' transition to college is addressed through attention to academic, career, and personal development strategies.