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MIT CLUB OF SOUTH TEXAS AN EVENING WITH KARL REID, DIRECTOR OF THE MITE2S SUMMER PROGRAM 2003 – 2004 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNOUNCED ! If you need to contact us about a specific event, please see the contact information for that event.
AN
EVENING WITH KARL REID, DIRECTOR OF THE MITE2S SUMMER PROGRAM Hosted by: MODEC
International LLC (Click
here for a map) This event is graciously hosted by Mr. Shashank Karve, ’81, President & CEO, MODEC International LLC. To assist us in planning for this event, please RSVP by November 4, 2003 via email to Alberto Cividanes or via the MIT SmarTrans(sm) website. Join us for an evening with Mr. Karl Reid, director of the MITE2S summer program for high school students at MIT, and learn how alumni and their companies can get involved in MITE2S. Whether by helping improve the curriculum, providing new research topics to the students, or simply contributing financially, Club of South Texas alumni and their companies can make a difference on this program that has been in existence over 20 years. ABOUT MITE2S MITE2S (Minority Introduction to Engineering, Entrepreneurship, and Science) is a rigorous six-week residential, academic enrichment summer program for promising high school juniors who are interested in studying and exploring careers in science, engineering, and entrepreneurship. This national program stresses the value and reward of pursuing advanced technical degrees and careers while developing the skills necessary to achieve success in science and engineering in an increasingly racially and ethnically diverse nation and world. MITE2S is rooted in MIT's belief in the importance to our nation that minorities and other underrepresented segments of the population pursue higher education and careers in these fields. The program is 100% scholarship-based. Funding from industry, foundations, and individuals covers all living and educational expenses for each admitted student. Students only pay for their transportation to and from MIT. Selected students build self-confidence in their ability to achieve in a demanding academic atmosphere, and have a chance to work with and befriend individuals of different racial, ethnic and other backgrounds from their own, as are necessary for success in studying and pursuing careers in science and engineering in the 21st century. For its graduates, there is a strong record of successful admission to MIT and to other engineering and science universities. MITE2S has also helped to increase the number of underrepresented minorities entering technical fields.
MITE2S RECRUITMENT The MITE2S office uses a number of methods to reach potential applicants including the Internet. MIT's Admissions Office promotes the MITE2S Program during visits to high schools across the country. Applications are also mailed to high schools, both at the Institute's initiative and in response to requests from guidance counselors, students, and teachers. In addition, the MITE2S Executive Director works with program sponsors interested in reaching particular schools within their region. The Director also travels to these schools to introduce the MITE2S program to students and teachers. A committee of MITE2S and MIT faculty, administration, students, and instructors select MITE2S participants. To achieve the diversity objectives, the selection of the individuals to participate in the MITE2S program in the summer of 2003 will include consideration of a number of criteria. All individuals who are selected must be US citizens or permanent residents, and must demonstrate bright promise of ability and interest in science, engineering and technology. Additionally, they must demonstrate that they would benefit from and contribute to the program. These factors will be assessed based on all or some combination of grades, PSAT or SAT test scores, extracurricular activities, essays and letters of recommendation. Members of all races and ethnicities will be considered and emphasis is placed on students who come from challenging backgrounds and must overcome significant odds to pursue their dreams of becoming an engineer or scientist. MITE2S SPONSORSHIP The MITE2S Program has proven highly successful since 1975 and the Institute is committed to its future operation. MIT provides approximately 22 percent of the program's budget from the Provost's Office. External corporate, foundation and individual sponsorship, however, is responsible for 75 percent of the program's operating budget. Support from 26 sponsors helped cover the cost of hiring 14 instructors, 18 tutors and one resident counselor, as well as funding room and board for participants. Students paid their own transportation costs. In 2002, the MITE2S Program cost just over $6,000 per student, totaling close to $384,000. Generous MITE2S supporters sponsor one or more students at a level of $6,000 per student from among those accepted each year. Sponsors, in addition to their program contribution, may wish to underwrite an award, a contest or special project. Sponsors are encouraged to attend the design competition and Enterprise Fair, held annually during the MITE2S session on the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2002, two sponsors attended the design contest, and several participated in summer events. It is important to stress that part of the success of the MITE2S Program is attributed to the selection and retention of a fine staff. The MITE2S instructors and tutors are often MIT graduate and undergraduate students respectively. The tutors are mostly graduates of the MITE2S Program themselves, and act as role models and mentors to the high school juniors. This interaction is critical to supporting the students education and socialization during the intensive six- week period. If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring one or more MITE2S students, please contact the program director at mites@mit.edu A funding proposal will be sent to you upon request. Because of the support and contributions of members of the MIT Club of South Texas, we are able once again to send a teacher from our area to the MIT Science and Engineering Program for Teachers. This one-week workshop in Cambridge in June updates teachers on the state-of-the-art and frontiers in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and the life sciences. It also exposes them to engineering processes, materials, and systems to show how scientific principles are applied to meet the technological needs of society and commerce. The teacher selected this year is Andra Zoller, James F. Bay Elementary School in Clear Creek ISD. The following is a thank you letter from Ms. Zoller:
Dear MIT Club of South Texas, I have been revived, validated, and energized! The “drink from the fire hose” was a truly incredible academic experience. I was in awe of the sixty minds from around the world. I learned so much from them and am looking forward to future teamwork and collaboration. I am amazed at how biology, chemistry, and physics have changed. I just didn’t realize how integrated the disciplines have become. This “immersion in science and engineering” has made a profound positive impact on how I will teach my young talented students. This week has opened my eyes in how to be part of a valuable team effort that helps to prepare young students for their future. It’s amazing and comforting to know how critical curiosity, exploration, and discovery are. Being the only elementary level educator in attendance, I was able to shed some light for the secondary teachers as to how and why children learn as they do and the cognitive development that this entails. In retrospect, it was so interesting to learn from the secondary teachers. It enlightened me to learn what is happening around the world. It truly was an eye-opening experience. Now that I am a NEST alum, I am looking forward with great anticipation to future visits. The week was packed with outstanding lectures from presenters who definitely had a passion for what they are doing. The lectures flowed beautifully from one to the next, while connecting all science and engineering disciplines. It was so refreshing to observe a group of experts that truly love what they are doing. I came away from MIT being energized about what I love to do, validated for teaching science, technology, and mathematics in an inquiry based program, while putting my students first, and revived that what I am doing is “right on target” and “on the cutting edge.” In fact, I absorbed so much like a sponge that my brain hurts. All in all, I would have to admit that having the golden opportunity to meet and work with the sixty educators was an earth shattering experience. I am looking forward to keeping in touch with these “Who’s Who in Science and Math Education” minds with unbelievable “character.” .… Please accept my deep gratitude for this experience. One more thing, when I received the letter in the mail, I couldn’t open it. This is the first award that I have ever applied for. I held the envelope up to the kitchen window trying to read it through the sunlight, as if I was Lucille Ball. Remember the infamous “candy episode?” Well, that’s how I felt all week. I felt like Lucille Ball on the candy factory assembly line and didn’t want to miss a thing while absorbing everything in sight. Finally, I couldn’t take the suspense any longer and painstakingly sliced the envelope open and read its contents. My friend told me that she heard me scream all the way to her house. I was so elated that I called my husband on the golf course. He had just gotten a hole in one. Imagine that…some things are just meant to be. With Warmest Regards,
Andra L. Zoller NEST ‘03 Our goal is to help the teachers, who were selected for their leadership among their peers and their educational impact in the classroom, to stimulate their students’ interest and excitement in science and engineering, to encourage technical career paths, and to heighten overall scientific literacy in our community. It costs about $1000 to sponsor a teacher at the MIT summer school. If you would like to lend your support to this important program, you may send your contribution to our Membership VP, Ramón San Pedro. -Ed Rinehart
2003 – 2004 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNOUNCED ! The MIT Club of South Texas is pleased to announce the 2003-2004 Board of Directors: President -
Raul Valdez
Interested in becoming involved
with the MIT Club? Contact Raul Valdez at H: (713) 869-6336 Stay tuned for details on 2003 Club Events: Nov 18 “Local” MIT On The Road: Presentations from Alumni in the Houston Medical Community Nov 22 International Dining Club Dec 14 Annual Club Holiday Party Jan 2004 Institute Speaker
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