Dec 01, 2004 - Claremont, Calif. -

Harvey Mudd College (HMC), in partnership with the Azusa and Pomona unified school districts and Damien High School, a private school in La Verne, is enrolling a select number of students in grades seven through 12 in its new program E-SMART (Engineering, Science, Mathematics Applications Resource Team). The program targets educationally disadvantaged students from local high schools who are interested in strengthening their math and science skills.

E-SMART replaces the local region’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, which was eliminated by the State of California this year. HMC is providing a majority of the financial support for E-SMART as a result of the state’s withdrawal of funding for MESA. During the past 26 years, HMC has hosted as many as 2,900 middle and high school students each year from 26 participating schools in the MESA program.

“We believe that preparing educationally disadvantaged students for careers in science and engineering is critical to creating a scientifically and technically literate workforce for the twenty-first century,” said program Director Linda Dell’Osso. “The State of California has recognized the centrality of science in education and will begin testing science subject matter for the State High School Equivalency Examination and for the standardized tests in fifth, seventh and tenth grades in 2007. Those students who participate in E-SMART will have the advantage of extra preparation for these exams, but, even more important, will be motivated to pursue careers or college majors in science and engineering.”

Dell’Osso says that E-SMART is designed to serve around 450 students. Specially trained advisors chosen to lead the E-SMART program at their school site will choose highly motivated students who show an interest in expanding and strengthening their skills in math and science. The students will participate in before and after-school classes that relate to standards and principles taught in the classroom. All activities are hands-on and will draw on biology, chemistry, physics, math and engineering principles to emphasize basic scientific principles and to demonstrate how these principles have practical applications. The proven hands-on projects -- like constructing hot air balloons, CO2 dragsters and water rockets -- are similar to those that were successful in the MESA program.

In addition to math and science activities, E-SMART students will participate in PSAT/SAT preparation courses that will include Harvey Mudd College undergraduates, from such on-campus groups as Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, and National Society of Black Engineers, who will serve as teaching assistants and mentors. E-SMART staff will encourage parent involvement by offering seminars on the college application process, financial aid, and summer opportunities for students. “Parent involvement in students’ education has been shown to be critical to a child’s academic success,” said Dell’Osso. “In order to foster parental involvement, we plan to invite parents to the Harvey Mudd College campus for information sessions.”

Pomona schools currently involved in the E-SMART program include these middle schools -- Emerson, Fremont, Lorbeer, Marshall, Palomares, Simons -- and these high schools -- Pomona, Ganesha, Garey, Village Academy and Diamond Ranch. Slauson Middle School in Azusa and Damien High School in La Verne are also participating.

For more information, contact Linda Dell’Osso at (909) 621-8240.