Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced that Virginia State University (VSU) was awarded $140,000 to begin planning for the establishment of a college laboratory school to improve the capabilities of local school systems to prepare students for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers, including in the advanced manufacturing and logistics sectors which are emerging as key economic drivers in the greater Petersburg area.

VSU was one of four recipients of the 2012 Virginia College/University Partnership Laboratory School Application Planning Grants. This program was open to public institutions of higher education with approved teacher-education programs.

The proposed STEM Lab Middle School will focus on the preparation of sixth, seventh and eighth grade children for exploration of future STEM careers through an initial collaborative partnership between VSU’s School of Engineering, Science and Technology, and School of Liberal Arts and Education; local public schools systems in the city of Petersburg and the counties of Dinwiddie, Prince George, Surry and Sussex; and business and community partners.

According to Dr. Keith Williamson, Dean of VSU’s School of Engineering, Science and Technology, “In developing this STEM lab middle school, we’re trying to connect the current discussion about career explorations for students into a broader narrative regarding teacher innovation and support for at-risk students.”

The three broad goals of STEM education are to (1) increase the number of students, especially women and minorities, who pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM; (2) expand the STEM-capable workforce, while broadening the participation of women and minorities; and (3) increase scientific literacy among all students, regardless of whether they elect to pursue post-secondary education or careers in STEM fields. As an added benefit, the proposed Lab School will provide pre-service teachers enrolled in VSU’s professional education programs with valuable clinical experiences in alternative, innovative instructional methods.

Said Williamson, “Our effort is also aimed at leveraging national and state-level initiatives, such as the federal government’s goal to recruit and train 100,000 new STEM teachers and start 1,000 new STEM-focused schools over the next decade, along with Gov. McDonnell’s ‘Top Jobs’ initiative that seeks to ensure that every Virginia student receives a high quality education with a special emphasis on STEM.”

VSU specifically targeted middle school-aged students for the program. “The VSU STEM lab middle school will convey to parents that the learning experiences their children encounter will influence their beliefs about themselves and expectation for success in related career activities in the future,” said Dr. Delores Greene, Associate Dean for Professional Education Programs in the School of Liberal Arts & Education. “Our lab school is specifically aimed at the middle school years, as this period represents the time when students develop a firm sense of self, establish and maintain a positive support network.”

The grant period will be from May 1, 2012 – September 15, 2012, and it is intended to support the planning and development process that will enhance consideration of VSU for funding to support implementation of a college/university partnership laboratory school. Receipt of this planning grant does not guarantee subsequent approval of a college/university partnership laboratory school. Should findings support the development of the STEM Lab Middle School, it is expected that VSU will seek funding for implementation at the conclusion of the planning period.

from-http://www.vsu.edu

Cosby High School  is located in Chesterfield County. The high school has recently opened a specialty center designed for high school students interested in pursuing health careers. (See the Richmond Times Dispatch article for more details.)

 During the spring 2012 semester, for the fifth time, Dr. Seth Leibowitz, director of Pre-Health Sciences Advising and Donna Jackson, director of Outreach for VCU School of Medicine, will co-teach a course in Cosby High School to help students make informed choices about the health professions they wish to pursue, and to help them plan a pathway to pursue their careers. The high school class will involve in-class exercises, lectures and lab experiences, in which the high school students will visit the Monroe Park and MCV campuses.

Contact:  Malorie Burkett
VCU Communications and Public Relations
(804) 827-0889
mgburkett@vcu.edu

Virginia State University has entered into an agreement with Richmond Public Schools to offer college courses to juniors and seniors in Richmond Public High Schools. These dual enrollment courses will be available in Richmond’s five comprehensive and three specialty high schools.

Under the terms of the Virginia State’s Academic Partnership Program (VSAPP), qualified high school students may enroll in university courses through VSU. The courses will be taught at high schools, but course curricula, syllabi and tests will be identical to those used at VSU. Grades earned will be considered dual credit for high school and VSU. Should the high school students matriculate to VSU, their transcripts will reflect both the college credits and earned GPA.

VSAPP students and their teachers are encouraged to utilize VSU resources and facilities. Students will be issued VSU identification cards so they can access the University’s library and laboratories. Some classes and tutorial sessions will be held on campus and VSU faculty will assist high school faculty in teaching the courses.

There is currently no tuition charge to the students taking dual enrollment courses. Textbooks are usually purchased by the high school system hosting the classes. Dual enrollment students typically enter college with close to a semester’s worth of credits, resulting in savings of several thousand dollars.

VSU currently has dual enrollment agreements with Petersburg, Prince George and Dinwiddie. The university is pursuing similar initiatives with school systems in Hampton Roads.

“Dual enrollment partnerships epitomize ‘win-win’ collaboration between secondary schools and higher education,” said VSU President Keith T. Miller. “They allow high school students to get a leg up on their college education, both academically and economically. Meanwhile, VSU is able to share its human resources and technology with our public schools. Regardless of whether the high school student ultimately enrolls at VSU, he or she is more prepared for success at the college level.”

Source:  http://www.wric.com/category/198856/education-alert

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