OUTREACH AND STUDENT ENRICHMENT
The Bechtel K-5 Educational Excellence Initiative
The Bechtel K-5 Educational Excellence Initiative's objective is to promote interest in mathematics, science and engineering through in-service programs that improve elementary teachers’ competence and confidence in math and science instruction, and provide enrichment programs that will improve students’ interest and understanding through hands-on learning in Adams County District 50 and Aurora Public Schools. A generous $2.5 million challenge grant from Stephen D. Bechtel, Jr. has established a base of support to launch this important project, and additional contributions will help to extend the impact of our critical efforts.
Humanitarian Engineering
The purpose of the Humanitarian Engineering Program is to provide an environment to orient the young humanitarian engineer toward life-long goals not encompassed within traditional engineering education. The Humanitarian Engineering Program offers a minor that integrates Liberal Arts and International Studies with Engineering Science and Design, and has become an attractive tool for recruiting students highly motivated to use their skills to make a direct, positive and significant impact on people with unmet basic human needs. The program has successfully completed more than 40 projects on four continents, with more than 200 engineering senior design students involved, including work in Kenya, Honduras, Uganda, Alaska and the Navajo Nation.
McBride Honors Program
The mission of the McBride Honors Program is to bring themes from the humanities and the social sciences into the engineering curriculum that will encourage in the students the habits of thought necessary for effective management and enlightened leadership.
Minority Engineering Program (MEP)
The Minority Engineering Program is dedicated to the mission of graduating ethnic minorities in the areas of math, science, and engineering. Each year MEP offers a variety of activities and programs for current students and future students, including the Summer Minority Engineering Training Program (SUMMET) and the Challenge Program.
- SUMMET is a residential science and engineering program for talented high school sophomore and junior minority students that provides an excellent introduction to the lifestyle and rigors of college, and provides instruction in calculus, chemistry, geology, computer science and a range of engineering concepts.
- The Challenge Program introduces minority students to and prepares them for the academic rigors of Colorado School of Mines, including foundational courses such as calculus and chemistry.
Mobile Science Show
The Mobile Science Show provides year-round programming in the form of teacher trainings, in-school science shows and summer teacher workshops to increase teachers’ knowledge and ability to effectively integrate science instruction into the classroom while developing students’ long-term interest and proficiency in science.
Women in Science, Engineering and Mathematics (WISEM)
The mission of WISEM is to enhance opportunities for women in science and engineering careers and to increase the retention of female students, faculty and staff through programming, training and mentoring.