New WSU Program Introduces High School Students to Sciences and Engineering Educational Opportunities

PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University has announced a new program designed to introduce under-represented minority high school students to educational opportunities in the sciences, mathematics, engineering and architecture. 

The program is slated for May 15-16. The deadline to apply is April 22.

“Our new Discover WSU Sciences and Engineering Program is designed to encourage high school sophomores and juniors to go on to college and also to consider what careers are open to them if they choose a major in one of the sciences or in engineering, math or architecture,” said Ron Newton, program director. “We are inviting students to spend two days on campus at no cost. Their parents are invited to come along, too. For this first year we are targeting schools in central Washington that have a high proportion of minority students.” 

High school students from Pasco, Richland, Granger, Grandview, Toppenish, White Swan, Wapato and Moses Lake are invited to apply. To be eligible, students must be sophomores or juniors, have high school grade points averages that would qualify them for admission to college, and have an interest in sciences, engineering, math or architecture.

While in Pullman, students will operate robots and radar equipment, analyze their own DNA, study sound waves by making a loudspeaker and study the probability of winning at poker. They will see the “Sights and Sounds of Chemistry” and “Wonders of Physics” demonstrations and may have the opportunity to visit a commercial laboratory to see electronic equipment being produced.  They will also see the dinosaur at the Connor zoology museum and view planets at the Jewett Observatory. Students will also be able to swim, play volleyball or work out at WSU’s new, world-class student recreation center. The students and their parents and teachers will be housed overnight in a residence hall.

For more information, students can contact their science teachers or call Newton at (509) 335-6463. The program is sponsored by the WSU College of Sciences and College of Engineering and Architecture.

Area contacts:

(For Richland, Pasco, Kennewick) Laura Cook, Tri-Cities Yakima MESA Program, 509-372-7338.

(For Toppenish, White Swan, Wapato, Grandview, Granger) Rebecca Bly, GEAR UP Parent Program Coordinator, NW Community Action Center, 509-865-1822.

(For Moses Lake) Kristin Beich, Science Teacher, Moses Lake High School, 509-766-2666.