CyberTech program aims to increase diversity in sciences
Kennesaw State University’s campaign to increase diversity in the sciences welcomed some fresh faces in 2004.
Georgia
(Jun 23, 2004) — Kennesaw State University’s campaign to increase diversity in the sciences welcomed
some fresh faces in 2004. Chris Reese‚ the High School Teacher of the Year for the
Atlanta Public Schools‚ and a group of South Atlanta students blazed a trail as the
first representatives of their school system to participate in Kennesaw State’s groundbreaking
CyberTech initiative.
A month−long program designed to increase interest and improve achievement in science
and mathematics‚ CyberTech was piloted in 2001 with 30 students from South Cobb High
School. Three years later‚ the program — geared specifically toward high−achieving
students from traditionally under−represented groups in science and technology related
career fields — featured approximately 120 students from nine different area high
schools‚ including new additions South Atlanta and Marietta.
“CyberTech is an invaluable asset to my students‚” said Reese‚ himself a product of
the Atlanta public school system. “My students come from a diversity of backgrounds‚
and some of them don’t have computers‚ much less Internet access or programming experience.
CyberTech allows them to be exposed to the technology and the programming‚ and the
technical careers that are associated with computers. This is experience that they
wouldn’t receive otherwise.”
Participants attended class three hours a day‚ five days a week on the KSU campus‚
leading up to commencement exercises June 26. During this time‚ they learned to use
the Java programming language through personal instruction‚ tutorials and hands−on
laboratory experience.
The curriculum is designed to introduce students to the world of computer science
and prepare them to succeed in advanced placement computer science courses at their
home schools. Complementing the classroom experience are guest lectures delivered
by representatives of high−tech companies such as Cingular Wireless‚ Dell‚ UPS‚ Equifax
and IBM. These speakers give students an inside look at the business world of the
21st century‚ and provide them with role models as well.
“I like the structure of the program‚ and I like what it’s offering the kids‚” Reese
said. “They will take a skill from this program.”
In addition to the personal expertise they provide through the guest lecture program‚
CyberTech’s corporate partners also lend financial support to the initiative. Dell
has provided free computers for a select number of participants each year since the
program’s inception‚ while Equifax now sponsors a $1‚000 scholarship to be given to
a former CyberTech student choosing to attend college at KSU. Recently‚ the UPS Foundation
announced a $50‚000 donation to help cover the annual costs of the program‚ thus making
it accessible to more students.
More support could be on the horizon in the form of a National Science Foundation
grant that‚ if approved‚ will allow CyberTech to evolve from a four−week summer session
into a comprehensive three−year program featuring 200 participants from throughout
Northwest Georgia.
“We envision CyberTech serving as a nationwide model for science education‚” said
Dale Benham‚ program director. “The goal is for participants in the program to serve
as role models in their respective high schools‚ thus influencing their classmates
to consider a career in science and mathematics.”
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its nearly 43,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.