Provided by Frederick County Public Schools
High school students can attend a 5-week engineering program in Frederick this summer and earn three credits from Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Although JHU has offered the program in other locations for many years, this is the first time students can take the course in Frederick County. A new partnership between the Workforce Development Board of Frederick County (WDB), JHU and Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS), plus the generous support of several local donors, brings the Engineering Innovation program to Frederick this summer.
The partnership supports the FCPS and WDBs ongoing objective to develop science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills among the countys current and future workforce. FCPS is providing space for the program at Tuscarora Highs pre-engineering lab. Principals, school counselors and teachers in STEM-related fields are advising rising juniors and seniors about this opportunity, which is open to FCPS students only.
JHU program administrator Lindsay Carroll says, We have been impressed with the commitment of the Frederick community to offer this outstanding opportunity to students. Frederick is one of the few select areas in the United States that offers this program.
JHU, the WDB and FCPS leaders were insistent that qualifying students be able to participate regardless of financial need. To achieve that goal, the following local businesses and organizations have contributed funds to provide full or partial scholarships for the 2009 class: the Ausherman Family Foundation, SAICFrederick, Inc., the Workforce Development Board Scholarship Fund, Workforce Services, the Frederick County Business Roundtable for Education, Morgan-Keller Construction and Rodgers Consulting. BNBI, LLC is underwriting the cost for the professor, who must have a PhD in a STEM-related field, and for the teaching assistant. A local high school teacher will serve as teaching assistant.
The college-level course begins June 22 and ends July 24 with an engineering competition, in which students build spaghetti bridges designed to hold considerable weight. The record so far is 130 pounds!
Students who achieve qualifying grades will earn three transferable credits from JHU, accepted at most universities as elective credits. Not only will students have the benefit of a unique learning experience, they also get a head start on a college career when they successfully complete this course, says FCPS operations director Larkin Hohnke.
Applications are due May 15 and are available online at http://engineering-innovation.jhu.edu/. The site also offers details about the curriculum, schedule, financial aid and the admission process. For more information, the public may call Lindsay Carroll or Amy Lynwander at JHU, 410-516-6224, and/or contact a local high school counselor. To inquire about providing financial support for Engineering Innovation in Frederick, please call David Esworthy at the Workforce Development Board, 301-662-5023.
