C.E.N.T.E.R.S.

Future Trojan S.T.E.P. (Starting the Educational Path) is a three-week summer enrichment program for students going to 1st through 3rd grade. This program accepts 50 students and consists of a culturally relevant reading component in the morning and a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) afternoon component.

The VERIZON Innovative Learning Program accepts 100 minority middle school males, 80% of whom qualify for free/reduced lunch in the surrounding school districts. The objectives for the program are to have students apply critical thinking skills to the engineering design process, be able to apply soft skills such as collaboration and communication to the production of presentations/pitches, be able to identify various careers in STEM, and increase their interest in science and mathematics.

The SCI-TASTIC (Science is Fantastic!) Summer Science Camp was designed to give pre-service elementary school teachers the chance to implement science activities and engage students with meaningful educational science experiences. The Sci-Tastic camp was originally developed as one component of a multifaceted NSF grant designed to increase the interest, skills and confidence of pre-service teachers who received instruction in research-based effective strategies to teach science to elementary students.

The G.I.R.L.S (Gaining Interest in Research Leadership and Science) program allows elementary girls going to grades 3-5 to participate in STEAM activities. The overall goal of the G.I.R.L.S. Program was to increase the skills, interest and confidence of elementary school girls to pursue careers in STEAM fields.

The VSU Freedom School accepts 50 middle school students. This is a Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School program. The focus will be on middle school age children and provide opportunities for students to increase their reading skills through culturally relevant instruction.