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Nuggets 2005

Unlike many graduate schools in the U.S., ours is physically separated from its undergraduate campus. Therefore, there is little opportunity for graduate students to become teaching assistants. The NSF-sponsored GK-12 Program has provided the Fellows with a quality teaching experience, and has compelled many to look for academic teaching positions upon graduation. Several have stated that their enthusiasm for teaching far exceeded their expectations when they began the program. Another unique aspect of this program, that is often overlooked, is the interaction of non-minority Fellows with high school students of different backgrounds and race, sometimes for the first time in their lives. As the bond between students and Fellows evolves throughout the year, race becomes irrelevant, erasing any ethnic barriers that may have been perceived, making this unique characteristic of the program incalculable.

We have seen our Fellows become actively involved in the educational interests of their students, giving personal tutorial sessions, assisting them with homework assignments after school, and offering guidance and counseling about their future education/career goals. Furthermore, the Fellows can have a life changing influence on their students by encouraging them to stay in school, attend college, and pursue upper level degrees of education. Many minority students choose alternative education/career paths because they are unaware of the variety of science career options available. However, by taking a personal interest in their lives and opening their minds to scientific discovery, the Fellows have drastically elevated the awareness of science as a viable career path for these students.