Location:

Montana

Description:
The purpose of this project is to expose the Montana Tech Succeeding sTudents in Engineering Programs (STEP) students to remote sensing and to spark their interest in research-based careers. STEP is a support program that works with traditionally underrepresented students to encourage them to succeed in earning an engineering education and becoming a successful professional. Each year the STEP program accepts twenty recent high-school graduates into the program. They attend classes and academic excellence workshops for six weeks in the summer while living on campus. The classes include but are not limited to, college success, introduction to engineering and English composition. Starting summer 2000, an additional class will be offered in the field of remote sensing. The majority of the class time will be spent conducting research with faculty members who are currently doing NASA research at Montana Tech.

Upon completion of the six-week summer program, all STEP students enroll at Montana Tech in one of the seven engineering programs offered. STEP works with students to develop academic and personal success strategies from college entrance until maturation and placement. Along with other STEP program requirements, students will write reports of their remote-sensing research experience and the careers that the experience may lead to, supported by a plan for reaching the career goal(s). The STEP program then tracks student's success at following their career goal plan and assists them in attainment of their objectives. Funding for this program is provided by NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE).

The objectives of the STEP Careers in Research Exploration Program are to:

• enhance the knowledge of remote sensing and Earth system science of STEP participants through research;
• develop studentsí ability to conduct scientific research;
• encourage students to pursue an education in engineering or technology;
• improve tribal technology, science, and mathematics education by providing positive Native American role models to high school students; and
• expose students to the career opportunities available in the fields of remote sensing and Earth system science.

Organization:
University of Montana
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Cost:
Free, participants selected by application

Contact:
Principal Investigator, Dr. Thomas S. Moon, Professor, Geophysical Engineering, Montana Tech of the University of Montana, 1300 West Park Street, Butte, MT 59701; Phone: (406) 496-4350; Fax: (406) 496-4704; Email: tmoon@mtech.edu , or STEP Program Director, Amy Verlanic, Technical Outreach Department, STEP Program, Montana Tech of the University of Montana, 1300 West Park Street, Butte, MT 59701; Phone: (406) 496-4289; Fax: (406) 496-4696; Email: averlanic@mtech.edu 

Education Level:
Undergraduate

Subject:

Remote Sensing

Program type:
Course
Scholarship
Student Enrichment

Date Added to teachearth.com:
5/1/00