Thirty-nine young people from city and rural schools will get together on the SUNY Oswego campus this summer to explore the possibilities open to them by studying science and math.

The middle-school students will take part in a four-week residential program, "Explorations in Mathematics and Physics," from July 11 to Aug.5.

The program, which received over $220,000 in funding from the National Science Foundation and others, is a two-year effort that will bring students entering eighth grade to campus this summer and next. "The whole idea is keeping these kids interested in math and science," says Dr. Philip Downum, chair of Oswego's math department and a co-director of the project.

Dr. Jack Narayan, distinguished teaching professor of mathematics and director of research and sponsored programs at Oswego, is the project director.  Dr. Downum and Dr. Alok Kumar, associate professor of physics at Oswego, are co-directors.

According to Dr. Narayan, this year's effort is based on a three-week pilot project on campus last summer.  While last year's program included 19 urban students who commuted to campus, the organizers wanted to reach a larger audience and integrate rural and urban students for "a more realistic model of education."

One way the program will do that is by showing math in a way that ties it to applications in what Dr. Downum calls the "quantitative sciences."He notes that students often drop out of math classes as soon as possible.  Later, when they want to be doctors, chiropractors, or optometrists.  They find they are already several years behind in the study of mathematics.  "We want to expand their horizons," he says, "and keep their options open."

Dr. Kumar says that this year the staff will focus on physics because it is "the foot of all physical science."  Since the students are on campus for only a short period and "we can't teach them everything, we had to give a glimpse of science."

The project targets incoming eighth graders because this age is "crucial" to later interest in math and science, the  organizers argue.  "For this age group, it's not 'cool' to be known as interested in math and science," says Dr. Narayan.  "We want to show that everybody can be involved."  Dr. Kumar echoes his sentiments, noting that young people often feel scientists are "nerds."

"When we think about scientists, we think about Einstein, with messy hair, isolated, a loner, "he says.  "But science is a human act.  All kinds of human beings pursue science."

He hopes that by researching the lives of famous scientists and interacting with faculty who "allow them to look into our lives," students will get a more realistic view of scientists.

Another important mission of the program, Dr. Kumar says, is "trying to dispel some of the misconceptions about science, especially those about gender."  At about eighth grade, girls start to lose interest in science because, "it is not considered to be a feminine endeavor," he says.

About half the students are females this year, and the group is also well-represented by minorities, including African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans as well as whites.  "We are confident they all will do well," he says.

The program will try to overcome the alienation of female and minority students from science by treating all equally and encouraging group participation and collaborative learning.

The program takes a "hands-on" approach.  For the physics component, students will learn about various scientific theories by trying out a bed of nails, dropping an egg from a second story landing and exploring an amusement park.

Math class will involve measuring the height of buildings and flagpoles using measuring triangles and view tubes, and building a box from plain pieces of cardboard, as well as using calculators and computers. "They will be able to do it-hands on," says Dr. Kumar.  "But they will also talk about it, write about it, and prepare a public report."
Any one will be able to discuss their findings," Dr. Kumar says.  "That's what science is all about, a form of public knowledge," he says.  "Boy or girl, white or minority, it is applicable to all of them."

The residential component is an important part of the program, Kumar says.  "We are not only teaching about physics and math, but how to succeed in life.  That can't be taught in a classroom situation." The students will take part in physical activities like basketball and volleyball together, and they will have several counselors who will lead them in group activities to raise self-esteem and teach discipline.

The faculty's involvement with the students won't end when the summer is over.  Throughout the academic year they will stay in touch with the eighth graders through their schools and by calls to their parents.

Even after the program period is over, they will follow their academic progress and be available to help with science and math problems or the larger issues of college and career.  "In my mind, I have adopted these kids for a long, long time," says Dr. Kumar.
In addition to the National Science Foundation, the project has received funding from SUNY Oswego, the Oswego College Foundation, Auxiliary Services at the college, the Syracuse School District, and Martin Marietta Corp.