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Academic Components (June 10 - August 1, 1996)
Houston PREP offered the following subjects and activities:
- Algebraic Structures - a four hour per week lecture class required
of second year participants.
- Engineering - a four hour per week lecture/laboratory class on
topics in engineering with engineering design projects required of
first and second year participants.
- Introduction to Computer Science - a two per week lecture and a
two hour per week laboratory class in writing computer programs
required of first year participants.
- Introduction to Physics - a four hour per week lecture class in
elementary topics in physics required of second year participants.
- Logic and its Applications to Mathematics - a four hour per week
lecture class required of first year participants.
- Probability and Statistics - a four hour per week lecture class
required of third year participants.
- Problem Solving Seminar - a four hour per week seminar class
required of all participants. The Second and Third Year participants
are taught in a Pentium Computer Laboratory where they obtain
intensive hands-on experience.
- SAT Preparatory Seminar - a two hour per week English and
Vocabulary lecture and a two hour per week Mathematics seminar
required of third year participants.
- Technical Writing - a four hour per week lecture/seminar/computer
lab class required of third year participants.
- Student Activities - a three hour per week period of time spent
with the mentor during which students worked on class assignments,
library research, engineering design projects, team sports, etc.
- Educational Field Trips - a variety number of hours spent on
Fridays of specific weeks involving the following:
- The students visited the University of Texas School of Public
Health. They learned about Public Health as a career as well as on
a personal level through a program of lectures and informal visits
with many faculty members and students.
- The Second and Third Year students visited Baylor College of
Medicine. The guided tour was very informative. The students were
impressed by demonstrations in their Anatomy Laboratory.
- The Center for Computational Science and Advanced Distributed
Simulation (CCSDS) performed demonstrations and presentations of
the uses and purposes of work with advanced simulation on
high-tech computers. The students were given brief hands-on
experiences with latest technology on Silicon Graphic computers
acquired through grants funded by the National Science Foundation
and U.S. Army Research Office. CCSDS videos on virtual reality
were also viewed by the students.
- A field trip to Galveston's Moody Gardens was taken. The
students were given a guided tour of the Rainforests and garden
exhibits. The IMAX Theatre presentation, geared towards virtual
reality, was also viewed.
- The students spent a day at the NASA Space Center where they
attended the TRAM tour and viewed NASA's IMAX Theatre.
Academic Components Summary
1st Year:
- Engineering
- Introduction to Computer Science
- Logic and its Applications to Mathematics
2nd Year:
- Algebraic Structures
- Engineering
- Introduction to Physics
3rd Year:
- Probability and Statistics
- SAT Preparatory Seminar
- Technical Writing
All Years:
- Field Trips
- Guest speakers and special presentations
- Problem Solving Seminars
- Research and Study
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Program Schedule
The Program Assistants, Faculty, and staff conducted meetings in May
and June to finalize preparations for Houston PREP 1996. Parents
Orientation was held on June 6, 1996 in the Student Lounge of UHD.
Approximately 280 parents and students attended.
The opening day of the PREP was June 10. This was primarily an
orientation day for the students. The Program Assistants conducted ice
breaker types of activities involving all the PREP participants in small
groups. The goals and expectations of the program and rules regarding
acceptable behavior were presented. They were also given tours of the
library, campus, and of the computing facilities.
The schedule of the typical week (Monday through Thursday) for First,
Second, and Third Year students is detailed below:
FIRST YEAR'S SCHEDULE
| TIME |
SUBJECT |
| 9:00 - 10:00 |
COMPUTER SCIENCE |
| 10:00 - 11:00 |
ENGINEERING |
| 11:00 - 12:00 |
PROBLEM SOLVING |
| 12:00 - 12:30 |
LUNCH |
| 12:30 - 1:15 |
STUDENT ACTIVITIES |
| 1:15 - 2:15 |
LOGIC |
SECOND YEAR'S SCHEDULE
| TIME |
SUBJECT |
| 9:00 - 10:00 |
ALGEBRAIC STRUCTURE |
| 10:00 - 11:00 |
PROBLEM SOLVING |
| 11:00 - 12:00 |
ENGINEERING |
| 12:00 - 12:30 |
LUNCH |
| 12:30 - 1:15 |
STUDENT ACTIVITIES |
| 1:15 - 2:15 |
PHYSICS |
THIRD YEAR'S SCHEDULE
| TIME |
SUBJECT |
| 9:00 - 10:00 |
SAT SEMINAR |
| 10:00 - 11:00 |
TECHNICAL WRITING |
| 11:00 - 12:00 |
PROBABILITY & STATISTICS |
| 12:00 - 12:30 |
LUNCH |
| 12:30 - 1:15 |
PROBLEM SOLVING |
| 1:15 - 2:15 |
STUDENT ACTIVITIES |
|
Program Summary
All First Year students took the Logic Pre-Test on their second day
in the program and had a mean score of 34.87%. First Year students took
the Logic Post-Test during the eighth, and last week of the program and
received a mean score of 70.67%. The average improvement of 35.8% points
on the Logic Tests indicate that the students analytical skills and
knowledge had improved during the program.
Second Year students took the Physics Pre-Test on their second day in
the program with a mean score of 43.7%. The Post-Test had a mean score
of 64.3%, which showed a 20.6% increase in aptitude.
The Third Year students took the Pre-Test in Probability and Statistics
on their first day in the program. They took the Post-Test during the
eighth, and last, week of the program and have an 19% improvement.
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) preparatory seminars were added to the
third year program. Students took daily quizzes, worked on vocabulary
words and practiced reading comprehension. Several timed SAT exams were
administered. All students felt this was very useful. They also felt
more confident about taking the SAT in the near future.
During the last week of the program, all students tested their
engineering projects. In each engineering class, students worked in
groups of 3-5 students.
First Year students built bridges using balsa wood. The students
designed containers capable of protecting an egg for a egg-drop contest.
Marsh Mellow Towers were constructed with Marsh Mellows and plastic
straws. Plus, they were given the opportunity to construct cars from
mouse traps. For all projects, every group/team was required to submit a
report on their project and present it to the class.
Second Year engineering students built planes, rockets, and mouse trap
cars. The planes were tested for floating time in the air, and the
rocket blasting tests took place in the UHD campus's Student Parking
Lot.
Third Year students took the assignment of constructing houses using
popsicle sticks and/or Styrofoam cardboard. The projects were judged by
faculty members.
The last week was also filled with fun activities to relax the hard
working participants. For example, there was a pizza party and free
games in the UHD Game Room.
At 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 1, the closing ceremonies began in the
Galena Park High School Auditorium. Approximately 300 parents and
faculty members attended in addition to the graduating participants. Mr.
Gerald Torres, Texas State Legislature, was a keynote speaker at the
Award Ceremonies on August 1, 1996. Each faculty member chose the best
overall and most improved student from each of his/her class. Each
Program Assistant then chose best overall students for citizenship,
attitude, and academics. Each successful participant was awarded a
certificate of completion and a Houston PREP T-shirt or cap. The
forty-three graduating Third Year students each received a special
electronic organizer. This ceremony was then followed by a brief
reception.
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Program Staff
Dr. Richard A. Aló, Program Officer (Houston PREP)
Executive Director, Center for Computational Science and Advanced
Distributed Simulation
Computer and Mathematical Sciences Professor
University of Houston-Downtown.
Ms. Sangeeta Gad, Program Coordinator (Houston PREP)
Computer and Mathematical Sciences Lecturer
University of Houston-Downtown.
Mr. Douglas Tharp, Community Outreach Coordinator
Computer and Mathematical Sciences Assistant Professor and Assistant
Chairman
University of Houston-Downtown.
Dr. Carol Vobach, Evaluator
Computer and Mathematical Sciences Associate Professor
University of Houston-Downtown.
The faculty members included:
- College Faculty Members
Ms. Sangeeta Gad (SAT Preparatory Course)
Computer and Mathematical Sciences Lecturer
University of Houston-Downtown.
Mr. Andrew Lienhard (Problem Solving II, III)
Computer and Mathematical Sciences Adjunct Instructor
University of Houston-Downtown.
Ms. Bonnie Nadler (Logic, Problem Solving I, SAT Prep Course)
Computer and Mathematical Sciences Lecturer
University of Houston-Downtown.
Ms. Mitsue Nakamura-Sundnas (Algebraic Structure II, Problem Solving
I)
Computer and Mathematical Sciences Lecturer
University of Houston-Downtown.
Ms. Melinda Payne (Technical Writing, SAT Preparatory Course)
English Department Adjunct Instructor
University of Houston-Downtown.
Dr. Marian Smith (Probability and Statisstics III)
Computer and Mathematical Sciences Lecturer
University of Houston-Downtown
Mr. Emmanuel Usen (Engineering II, Logic)
Computer and Mathematical Sciences Adjunct Instructor
University of Houston-Downtown.
- Middle School Faculty Members
Ms. Valencia D. Crawford (Computer Science)
Teacher Technologist, Holland Middle School
Houston Independent School District.
Mr. Ash Rehman (Physics, Logic)
Teacher, Milby High School
Houston Independent School District.
Ms. Debra Toliver (Engineering I)
Teacher, Northbrook Forest High School
North Forest Independent School District.
- Program Assistants
- Mr. Jesus Azcarraga
- Mr. Jerone D. Edwards
- Mr. Juan J. Gonzalez
- Mr. Obinna C. Ilochonwu
- Ms. Maria Rebeca Mata
- Ms. Veronica Patino
- Mr. Randy K. Robinson
- Mr. Clinton Rodgers
- Secretary
- Ms. Veronica Sanchez
- Technical Support
- Mr. René Garcia
- Mr. Sean McRae
- Mr. Ali Sheikh
- Mr. Aon Tejani
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School Districts
| Aldine |
Cypress-Fairbanks |
Humble |
Pasadena |
| Alief |
Fort Bend |
Katy |
Private |
| Channel View |
Galena Park |
Klein |
Spring Branch |
| Crockett |
Houston |
North Forest |
. |
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1996 Houston PREP Speakers
Dr. Melanie Aló, Assistant Professor of Anesthology
BAYLOR SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Dr. Richard A. Aló, Program Officer (Houston PREP)
Executive Director, Center for Computational Science and Advanced
Distributed Simulation
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN
Dr. Ronald Barnes, Professor of Computer and Mathematical Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN
Ms. Cristina Barrosso, Doctorial Student
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Ms. Joi Beasley, Career Development Counselor, Career Services
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN
Dr. Manuel Berriozábal
FOUNDER OF TEX-PREP
Mr. Holland Bynam, Program Coordinator
HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dr. Bernadine Duncan, Assistant Director, Counseling and Testing
Services
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN
Mr. Walter Hanks Jr., ROTC Instructor
WORTHING HIGH SCHOOL (CAREER ACADEMY)
Ms. Gladys Henderson, Technical Manager/Test & Verification
NASA
Ms. C. Susan Howes, Staff Engineer, Acquisitions
ANADARKO PETROLEUM CORP.
Dr. Brent Jones, Director of Student Admissions
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS - TEXAS ACADEMY OF MATH AND SCIENCES
Dr. Steve Kelder, Asistant Professor of Behavior Science
Health Promotion/Health Education Module
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Ms. Peggy Osbourn, Director, Career Services
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN
Mr. Ron Peters, Doctorial Student
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS - SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Dr. Mary Ann Smith, Toxicologist
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Dr. Michael Spero, Engineering Manager
BROWN & ROOT INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, INC.
Mr. Halbert Sykes, PASS Program Coordinator, Counseling and Testing
Services
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN
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Financial Contributors
Advanced Distributed Simulation Research Consortium
Aldine Independent School District
Center for Computational Science and Advanced Distributed Simulation
Chevron Oil Co., Inc., Los Angeles
Galena Park Independent School District
Houston Independent School District
International Business Machines
Mobil Chemical Co., Houston
Mobil Inc., Southwestern Computing Center, Dallas
National Science Foundation, Computer and Information Science and
Engineering Directorate
NASA Headquarters - Washington, D.C.
State of Texas Legislature
State of Texas Coordinating Board of Higher Education
U.S. Army Research Office, Department of Defense
United States Department of Energy
University of Houston-Downtown
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