WISE Benefits from Two Grants

The WISE Program received funding for two important initiatives this past summer. The Pfizer Community Grants Program is continuing to support the Southeast Michigan Science Fair for the fourth year. In addition, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute is supporting The Trek Toward Active Learning: From High School to the University, a joint initiative between Daniel Klionsky in the Life Sciences Institute, Sandra Gregerman in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, and Cinda Davis in the Women in Science and Engineering Program.

The Southeast Michigan Science Fair has served middle and high school students in Washtenaw, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Monroe, and Livingston counties for over 40 years. Last year the fair had over 400 exhibits and sent five finalists onto the Intel International Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana. The generous grant from Pfizer has greatly expanded the number of prizes we are able to award, particularly at the middle school level. This recognition at an early age is crucial in the encouragement and development of future scientists and engineers. In addition, the funds support a middle school mentoring program where undergraduate and graduate engineering and science students work with 7th and 8th grade students to identify and research a topic for a science fair project. This program has increased the number of students presenting in the fair from schools which have been represented by few participants in the past. The continued support of Pfizer for the Southeast Michigan Science Fair is critical in maintaining the presence of this long-standing incubator for our future science and engineering workforce.

The Trek Toward Active Learning, a four-year $1.5 million grant from Howard Hughes Medical Institute, is an initiative to utilize and expand existing programs to increase student research positions; to provide increased opportunities for underrepresented students; to introduce active-learning methods to our classrooms; to facilitate interdisciplinary research; and to reach out to other institutions to disseminate these practices. This highly collaborative effort, with partners from the University of Michigan, Washtenaw Community College, Xavier University of Louisiana, and local high schools will increase hands-on research opportunities for undergraduates and entering first-year students; expand the Life Sciences Learning Community for university, community college, and high school faculty; and develop a new interdisciplinary introductory biology course designed for engineers.

October 2006 eNews

April 2006 eNews

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