The State University of New York
Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers
and
The Office of University Life & Enrollment Management
Outstanding Student Affairs Program Awards Application Form 2011
COLLEGE INFORMATION
Name of Campus: SUNY Potsdam
APPLICATION INFORMATION
First/Last Name: Mary E. Stickney
Title: Director
Department: Center for Diversity
North Country Science & Technology Entry Program (NCSTEP)
E-mail Address:
AWARD CATEGORY (please check one):
______Student Affairs/Academic Affairs Collaborations
______Campus Safety
______Innovative Use of Social Networking
______Career Development Programs
___X__Programs that Support the Education Pipeline
TITLE OF PROGRAM: Residential Summer Math & Science Camp at SUNY Potsdam
1. Describe program objectives. Include information on the campus need that is met by this program.
The primary mission of the Science & Technology Entry Program (NCSTEP) is to increase the number of historically underrepresented minority and economically disadvantaged students prepared to enter college in the fields of Math, Science, Technology, Health, and the Licensed Professions. This program is housed at SUNY Potsdam and serves approximately 200 students in grades 7-12 from four different school districts.
The main goal of our Math & Science Summer Camp is to provide the opportunity for minority and economically disadvantaged students in grades 7-9 to engage in hands-on science, math, and technology activities that promote interest, engagement, and success in pre-collegiate coursework.
As a pipeline program at SUNY Potsdam, NCSTEP strives to introduce all participants to college life, expectations, and what skills are necessary to make the transition from junior high and high school to the college setting. The Summer Program helps to acquaint students with SUNY Potsdam and the services and programs it has to offer. It also offers courses in math, biology/forensics, and robotics that engage students and enrich the academic curriculum studied during the school year, better preparing them for pre-collegiate and collegiate coursework.
NCSTEP Math & Science Summer Camp Objectives include, but are not limited to:
• Provide students with experience of “college life”
• Improve academic achievement in math and science
• Increase cultural awareness and identity
• Improve self-esteem
• Increase the number of historically underrepresented minority and economically
disadvantaged students who persist in STEM fields of study
• Increase the number of historically underrepresented minority and economically
disadvantaged students who graduate from high school
• Increase the number of graduating seniors who matriculate into college in STEM and
health related majors
2. Describe program design.
NCSTEP students in grades 7, 8, and 9 from four local school districts are asked to apply to the Summer Program in early May. At the end of May, 24 students are accepted and in July they report to the SUNY Potsdam Campus for a week filled with learning and fun.
Upon arrival, students complete an orientation session to familiarize them with the
camp’s rules and expectations. At this time, they are checked into their dorm rooms
and introduced to the Camp Counselors that they will be working with for the remainder
of camp. NCSTEP Staff and teachers are also introduced at this time. Master teachers
are hired from several surrounding school districts. These teachers are known for
their hands-on approach to learning.
The first activity students engage in is a “New Games” experience. This
activity is usually held outdoors and involves a lot of cooperative learning and movement. The goal of this activity is to acquaint the students with one another and get them working as a team. It’s a great ice breaker for campers being that they are from four different school districts.
Academic classes/labs are held during the morning hours. Students are divided into
three different groups so that class sizes remain small (8 students per group). Each class
lasts approximately one hour before students rotate on to the next class. Walking
around the classes on a typical Summer Camp day one may find students measuring the
height of a tree using angles and the sun; students building and programming robots
for a competition held later in the week; and students investigating a “murder scene”
by lifting fingerprints, doing DNA testing, and determining the trajectory of
a bullet’s path.
During the afternoons, students participate in many different recreational, cultural, and
character building activities. These include career exploration presentations, canoeing
kayaking, swimming, tie-dyeing, soap stone carving, basket making and plenty of
other outdoor activities.
In the evenings students work on projects, practice for talent shows, go to the movies,
participate in an Iroquois Social Dance with the Upward Bound Program from SUNY
Canton, and complete the Ropes Challenge Course on campus. At days end, it’s lights-
out in the dorms by 10:30pm.
Students are also required to complete a community service activity while at camp.
For last year’s project students made and donated items to the local Humane Society.
These included dog and cat toys, dog treats, and basic supplies such as Clorox, paper
towels and old linens.
On the last day of camp, family and friends are welcomed onto campus for a
Project Exhibition and Luncheon. Students and staff display the projects they
worked on during the week and provide their parents/families with a tour and
explanation. Students also make photo collages depicting the many different activities
they participated in during camp. The final day is also when the robot competition
is held for all to see. Guests and campers then sit down to a great BBQ lunch provided
by our dining service at SUNY Potsdam. Students are also recognized with certificates
of completion at the culmination of camp.
In summary, the North Country Science and Technology Entry Program’s Summer Math
and Science Camp is an innovative initiative designed to engage students who might
not otherwise be inclined to immerse themselves in math and science study. The camp also introduces participants to college life by providing a residential experience. This program is publicized on the NCSTEP website (www.potsdam.edu/ncstep) as well as in the local newspapers and in school districts.
3. Describe the effectiveness of program implementation (i.e., to what degree did the program meet objectives, participation levels, cost effectiveness, scope or impact on campus/community and use of campus/community resources).
NCSTEP’s Summer Math and Science Camp has been very successful and well-received over its 23 year history. As evidenced by the data given in Section 5 of this application, our program continues to meet the objectives set forth by the program and the NY State Department of Education.
The participation rates for the Summer Program always meet or exceed the target
of 24 students. When the budget allows, more students are accepted. Unfortunately,
most years we have a waiting list for hopeful, would-be campers.
Program costs are kept within our budget by utilizing the many campus and community
resources in the Potsdam area. There are many free or low-cost activities that the program takes advantage of when planning the camp schedule. Supplemental funding is also sought through other educational grant funding sources. During the past four year grant cycle the NCSTEP Summer Program has been the fortunate recipient of several thousand dollars in outside funding.
SUNY Potsdam generously offers the program classroom space, the use of labs and
equipment, room and board at a reasonable rate, and the use of other campus facilities
as requested. SUNY Potsdam faculty and staff are also willing to provide in-kind
assistance as needed.
SUNY Potsdam also benefits from the NCSTEP Summer Math and Science Camp being
housed on campus. The program provides revenue to the college during the summer months and also provides summer employment for area college students. The public
and community relations aspect of holding a camp such as this on SUNY Potsdam’s
campus also shows the institutions support of pipeline programs in a positive light. Many NCSTEP Summer Camp participants return to SUNY Potsdam as their college of choice when they graduate high school because they are familiar with and comfortable on the campus. This also builds a bridge between the college and the local school districts and communities served by the NCSTEP program. The relationship has been mutually beneficial for the past 23 years.
4. Outline collaborative approach of program (i.e., efforts to involve other departments, divisions, etc.).
The NCSTEP Summer Math and Science Camp welcomes the support and collaborative effort of many different entities within the SUNY Potsdam community. The following
departments or divisions have been integral in helping the Summer Camp to be a
successful program on campus for over 20 years:
• The Office of Non-Credit, Conferences, and Special Programs (Administers all
summer camps held at SUNY Potsdam)
• The Office of Residence Life (Organizes and assigns dorm rooming assignments)
• PACES Dining Services (Provides meal services during camp)
• The Center for Diversity (Provides van for transportation)
• The Office of Admissions (Provides Admissions presentations and tours as requested)
• Student Health Services (Handles all medical needs/forms including distribution of student medications)
• The Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (Provides facilities
and equipment for a multitude of indoor and outdoor activities)
• The Student Government Association (Provides game room as need as well as canoe
and kayak rental)
• The Biology Department (Provides all classrooms and lab equipment as needed)
• The Office of College Advancement and Development (Provides assistance with
external grant writing)
• The Research and Sponsored Programs Office (Handles all expenditures)
• Human Resources (Assists with summer staffing requirements)
• SUNY Potsdam Student Body (NCSTEP hires SUNY Potsdam students for counselor
positions when possible)
• Salmon River Central School, Massena Central School, Potsdam Central School,
Madrid-Waddington Central School (NCSTEP partners with these local school districts)
5. Outcomes assessment (i.e., provide evidence of the effectiveness of the program).
The following NCSTEP outcomes for the past four year grant cycle of our program
(2006-2010) provide a positive correlation between the Math & Science Summer Camp (and the program as a whole) and meeting the goals for the students served. The
following data has been collected by the NY State Department of Education in the end of year reports submitted by this program as required.
• Over 95% of our graduating seniors matriculate into college
• Over 80% of our college bound seniors enter into college in the fields of math,
science, technology, engineering, health, or the licensed professions in NY State.
• 85% of students taking the NY State 8th Grade Math Assessment test scored at levels 3 and 4
• 91% of students taking the NY State 8th Grade Science Assessment test scored at levels
3 and 4
• An increased number of underrepresented minority and economically disadvantaged
local high school youth in the North Country attend post-secondary institutions
APPLICANT SIGNATURE:
VICE PRESIDENT/DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS SIGNATURE:
(If the VP sends the application materials from his/her email account – a signature is not necessary).
Applications should not exceed 5 pages and should be submitted as Word documents, not PDF. All applications must be submitted via e-mail by
March 15, 2011 to:
Note: When sending an application, please include the campus name and category on the Subject Line of the email heading.
Ed Engelbride
Associate Provost
State University of New York System Administration
Phone: 518-320-1286