RAPME

The Richmond Area Program for Minorities in Engineering (RAPME) and its sponsors will be presenting the 2008 Summer Engineering Institute. The institute will be held at the following three educational facilities¾Virginia State University (VSU), Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (JSRCC). The main office of RAPME is located at VSU, Room 19-E, Hunter McDaniel Building.

 

The RAPME Summer Engineering Institute is a three or five-weekacademic program for middle and high school minority students in the Richmond/Petersburg metropolitan area. The program provides students with information about various fields of engineering in order to acquaint them with the requirements for pursuing a career in engineering. Middle school students participate in engineering related classroom projects, while high school students blend engineering and computer classes with robotics projects. All students enjoy visiting local area firms to witness first hand, the work of engineers as well as attend lectures by practicing engineers in various fields.

 

Daily attendance is mandatory. Students who apply for the program should meet the following criteria:

 

 

RAPME Summer Engineering Institute applications will be available at middle and high school offices and also at the RAPME website: www.rapme.org. The applications and all supporting documents must be received by Friday, April 28, 2006. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed. Students will be advised of their enrollment status during the early part of May 2006. Do not enclose payment (cash, check or money order) with the application form.

 

For Information:                         
                       RAPME Summer Engineering Institute

                        P. O. Box 9022

                        Virginia State University

                        Petersburg, VA 23806

                        Tel: (804) 524-5591   
                        Fax: (804) 524-6732

 

PHASE DESCRIPTION

 

 

Phase II: For rising 9th and 10th graders. This phase exposes students to applied Engineering and Computer Concepts, all of which will supplement their robotic projects. Phase II is aimed at cultivating the scientific method in all aspects of the robotic, circuit and geosciences projects. This phase is for rising high school students who may be considering applying to the phase III program. In addition, the students will attend engineering lectures/seminars given by professionals and will visit local area firms to see engineers at work. The mathematics pre-requisite for this phase is the completion of Algebra I.

 

Phase III: For rising 11th and talented 10th graders. This is a summer high school research opportunities to qualified students who are interested in summer research experiences in engineering and related sciences. Phase III is designed to encourage underrepresented minorities who are interested in engineering, medicine, physics, chemistry, materials science, biology, astronomy or any relevant sciences, to pursue scientific research as a potential career, and to prepare these students for undergraduate studies in a Higher-Education Institution as outstanding research students and leaders in the scientific community. Students of this program will acquire stronger research skills by working under the direction of participating faculty mentors at both VSU and VCU, and they will improve their skills and competitiveness necessary for the successful pursuit of an undergraduate degree (B.S.). Final group projects will be presented to parents during the closing ceremony.

Phase IV: For current 12th and talented, rising 11th/12th graders. Students will complete an academic course at JSRCC. This phase combines two standard engineering curriculum offerings in Engineering Graphic/Design and Engineering Methods. Students who complete the course requirements will earn five college credit hours. The courses covered are the same as the two popular courses in these topics currently offered in the Henrico (Highland Springs) and Chesterfield (L. C. Bird) County High School Engineering programs. The courses are typical of those taken during one's freshman year of college in engineering. Qualified applicants are selected on the basis of various criteria, including math and science abilities, and the student's interest to pursue a college degree in engineering. The pre-requisite for this phase is the completion of Algebra II and Geometry. Students must also place into the class based on their performance on a mathematics placement test administered by JSRCC.

 

Phase IV students are given an opportunity to earn scholarships to cover the cost of the five (5) credit hours and supply fees (worth a total of $420). Students will be required to purchase the textbooks for the courses. To earn the scholarship and the five (5) college credit hours, each student admitted must:

·         Pay a non-refundable program fee of fifty dollars ($50).

·         Satisfactorily complete the courses with a 2.75 grade point average (GPA) or better.

·         Have no more than three (3) days of approved absence from class.     

 

  

Please note that VSU services the public and private school systems in the Petersburg, Hopewell, Colonial Heights,

Prince George, Dinwiddie, Charles City, and Chesterfield areas, while VCU services the public and private school

systems in Richmond, Hanover, Henrico, and Chesterfield. JSRCC regular sessions are open to all students.

TRANSPORTATION: Students are responsible for getting back and forth to the University/College that is hosting their specific phase. The institute will gladly assist in organizing carpool for those interested; however, it will not be held liable for any arrangements. Transportation for all field trips will be provided by RAPME.

 

SNACKS:  Students will have access to vending machines located throughout the buildings and will be allowed to get snacks and drinks from the machines during a 15-minute break between classes. Students are not allowed to leave the building under any circumstances without supervision. Any student(s) violating this privilege (and it is a privilege not a right) will be disciplined accordingly.

 

FEES: A non-refundable program fee of $50 is required for each phase (I, II, III, & IV). The fees will help to offset administrative costs incurred to run the Summer Engineering Institute. Financial aid may be available depending on documented financial need. A $25 fee will be charged for all checks returned for insufficient funds. This fee covers charges RAPME incurs from the bank(s).

ATTENDANCE: Daily, prompt attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to attend the Summer Engineering Institute each scheduled day. Parent/Guardian must submit a written excuse to RAPME (prior to any absence when possible) each day a student is absent. After three (3) absences, the student will be dismissed from the program without a refund. 

DECORUM: RAPME expects proper behavior during all facets of the program. The RAPME staff will make every effort to provide for the students’ comfort and safety, and will monitor all periods of activity, including field trips. We look forward to having an orderly and enjoyable learning experience.

ATTIRE: Represent yourself at all times; this is not a sports camp or social club. Casual but neat dress is acceptable. No short shorts or bogus neck chains. Young ladies should wear tops and bottoms that adequately cover the body; young men are not allowed to wear net shirts or sleeveless T-shirts. Closed shoes (no sandals or heels) are a basic requirement for field trips. Above all, remember that the building and classrooms are air-conditioned and can get rather cool, so dress accordingly. The RAPME officials

reserve the right to enforce the dress code accordingly.

 

EVALUATION: Students will be asked to evaluate the entire program. In addition, RAPME staff will evaluate the students. Student evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

 

 

· Initiative             · Interest

· Effort                 · Behavior

Name __________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Date of Birth _____________________ Age _____ Gender (M/F) ____ Minority Group/Race ___________________

 

Address _________________________________________ City ____________________ Zip Code ______________

 

Phone (_____) _______ - ______________;    Current Grade in School _________ ; T-Shirt (Adult) Size _________

 

Name of School __________________________________________________________________________________

 

School Address ____________________________________ City _____________________ Zip Code ___________

 

Award/Honors ___________________________________________________________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Current School Activities __________________________________________________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Math/Science Projects, if any _______________________________________________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Computer Experience/Knowledge of Computer Language ________________________________________________

 

Previous SEI Attendance (check √): No ______, Yes _____ . If Yes, state Phase ______   and Year _____________

 

See Phase Description to Select: Applying for VSU: Phase I _______       Phase II _______      Phase III ________

 

 

Applicant’s Signature _____________________________________________              Date _____________________

 

 

Mathematics Grade (Average): ____________;    Science Grade (Average): ____________.

 

Committee Evaluation: Accepted: ________ Rejected: _________    Board Member Signature_________________

 

Reason(s) for Rejection ___________________________________________________________________________