UNITE
 JETS coordinates UNITE (The Uninitiates' Introduction to Engineering Program) with funding from the U.S. Army Research Office. The UNITE program is targeted toward high school students and helps prepare them for college through summer classes. These summer classes introduce students to an academic experience which closely parallels that of a first-year student in a university engineering program. Through academic classes, hands-on activities, and team-based learning, the students explore the connections between math and science and real world applications.
2006 UNITE students at the University of Delaware working in pairs during a lab assignment |
Of the UNITE graduates, 79% enrolled in college. Starting in 1993, the scope of the UNITE program was expanded to freshmen and sophomores in high school, thereby identifying and supporting students throughout their four years of high school. The UNITE program is organized on the following campuses:
2008 Program Sites and Dates
New Mexico MESA
This eight-week intensive program has been in existence for nearly 20 years, challenging approximately 180 students annually to enhance their academic skills through advanced course work, providing a summer experience opportunity to students with limited resources. All classes participate in a Career Panel at the University of New Mexico and visit Kirtland AFB, in addition to various other field trips, guest speakers, and other hands-on learning experiences.
Contact:
Pamela Caudill: (505) 366-2500 or pjc@nmmesa.org
http://www.nmmesa.org
University of New Orleans
The Louisiana Engineering Advancement Program will be hosting its annual LEAP/UNITE Summer Scholars Program again in 2008. The program is a competitive and intensive four-week honors program for students who are entering the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grades in the fall of 2008. Students must currently be in the eighth, ninth, or tenth grade and have a minimum 2.30 grade point average. The program is designed to improve the analytical reasoning and vocabulary skills of the students who are considering careers in engineering, mathematics and the sciences. This program is a vital piece of the overall plan to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education in the state of Louisiana. In addition, the LEAP/UNITE Summer Scholars Program will incorporate field trips to further enhance the students' experience and introduction to the field of technology.
Contact:
Lucien Wainie: (504) 280-6576 or lwainie@uno.edu
http://www.leapuno.org
Savannah State University
Savannah State University is conducting the JETS-UNITE summer program in conjunction with the pre-established Upward Bound program for the second year in a row in 2008. This high quality program will serve the top 25 academically talented students to provide Math/Science and hands-on activities/field trips in engineering disciplines to increase their interest in pursuing sciences and engineering programs.
Contact:
Dr. Asad Yousuf: (912) 695-5501 or yousufa@savstate.edu
http://www.savstate.edu/scitech/engtech/ssu-jets/
Florida International University
The UNITE Program at Florida International University is a four week intensive program. This program provides students with an academic program that enables them to excel in their school career. Helps develop resourceful, well-motivated, well-rounded graduates who can analyze new situations, make decision, and communicate their ideas effectively. Develops individuals who will be responsible and well adjusted citizens able to compete and contribute to the complex and diverse society of today.
Students are selected by Miami-Dade County Public Schools lead teachers, counselors, STEM department chairpersons from students who are interested in science/technology/engineering/mathematics (STEM) areas. Students must have good disciplinary record. A "B" or better grade point average is required in the Mathematics, Science, and English courses. The student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Contact:
Dr. Gustavo Roig: (305) 348-6598 or Gustavo.roig@fiu.edu
http://web.eng.fiu.edu/cdec/jets.html
University of Delaware
The FAME/UNITE/MERIT/UD Summer Residential Program seeks to increase the participation of African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American and other youth in engineering and other science professions through a four-week residential (home on weekends) academic enrichment program. The program provides a simulated college experience while supplementing the student's high school curriculum.
Contact:
Michael Vaughan: (302) 831-6315 or vaughan@udel.edu
http://www.engr.udel.edu/rise/fame/index.html
Morgan State University
Morgan State University (MSU), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and JETS-UNITE have partnered to offer a new initiative to exposed more students to the exciting field of robotics. We are please to announce the second annual Summer Institute for Robotics (SIR) starting this summer.
The Summer Institute for Robotics in conjunction with the JETS UNITE program is a four week interactive program to provide theoretical and hands on training in the field of robotics. This residential program is a great opportunity to introduce Robotics and Engineering to raising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students interested in pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. There is also computer programming, oral and written communication skills, and professional/personal development. The presenters and instructors will be comprised of members from Morgan State University Alumni and Corporate/Government agencies.
Contact:
Dr. Clifton Martin: (443) 885-4490 or atmo@eng.morgan.edu
Texas Southern University
The Summer Pre-college engineering program is organized by the Department of Engineering Technologies of Texas Southern University and sponsored by UNITE, a JETS program funded by the US Army Research Office. The summer bridge program is designed to provide academic instruction and mentorship to 9th- 12th grade high school students. It is geared towards ensuring that participants have the proficiency in Mathematics, Science and Computers required for high school completion and college entry. The program incorporates classroom tutoring, hands-on activities, field trips and career counseling sessions.
Contact:
Dr. David Olowokere: (713) 313-7719 or olowokeredo@tsu.edu
New Jersey Institute of Technology
The UNITE program at NJIT is in conjunction with the FEMME8 and FEMME Academy programs, challenging rising ninth and tenth grade females to improve their math and science backgrounds, while encouraging them to pursue STEM careers, with an ultimate goal of increasing the number of women in these fields. Two groups of 25 students each will participate in this part-commuter, part residential program that extends learning outside the classroom, helping shape the minds of tomorrow's female innovators.
Contact:
Rosa Cano: (973) 596-3550 or cano@adm.njit.edu
http://www.njit.edu/precollege
University of Detroit - Mercy
The UNITE program is intended for students who want to prepare themselves for college. UNITE meets daily (approximately 8:30 am to 3:30 pm) and is designed to resemble a university freshman engineering curriculum. The goal is to introduce students to the subjects and skills necessary to succeed as an engineering student. Classes involve hands-on activities emphasizing teamwork. Students will take five classes daily - Persuasive Speaking, Computer Applications, Trigonometry, Physics, and College Writing - taught by University professors. Students can earn two college credits per course. Applicants who have less than a 2.25 GPA, any grade below a D or poor citizenship/conduct marks will not be considered for this program. Those students who do get considered will be invited to the interview phase. At that point, a personal essay and teacher letter of recommendation must be submitted.
Contact:
Dan Maggio: (313) 993-1435 or maggiodd@udmercy.edu
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