Education Initiatives

High School Technology Initiative Program (funded by NSF – ATE, $500,000)

The goals of the High School Technology Initiative (HSTI) are to: 1) Facilitate the teaching of fundamental science and math skills through high technology applications and presentation techniques and 2) Increase students' awareness and appreciation of the interdependence of science, mathematics, technology, and society. http://www.hsti.online.usf.edu/

Industrial Mathematics

Dr.  supervises students as they work with a company expert (or USF researcher) on an approved company project. It is expected that this project stems from a current or planned company activity requiring suitable mathematics applications. The final grade will be essentially based on the project's quality, i.e. its mathematical level and effectiveness for the company. It is expected that the project option will be beneficial to both the student and the associated company. It not only helps the student and prospective employer to find each other, but facilitates a better understanding of concepts and allows for creativity and productive use of math in the areas related to the student's major. Contact: Arcadii Grinshpan, azg@math.usf.edu

Mathematics and Science Summer Program

This program (the 25th annual edition) was designed for gifted/high-achieving students from grades eight through ten and had a first-year and a second-year component. The 59 students received instruction in HTML and JavaScript computer programming, basic foundations of mathematics, astronomy, and environmental issues. Contact: Jogi Ratti, jratti@chuma.cas.usf.edu http://www.math.usf.edu/Community/CMS/main.php

Mathematics and Engineering Program

This program (the 25th annual edition) was designed for 10th, 11th and 12th grade gifted and high-achieving high school students. It had 35 first-year and 9 second-year participants. The students were instructed in number theory, computational linear algebra, C++ computer programming, and engineering science. Second-year students received instruction in linear algebra and Maple programming and committed their afternoon to the Science Lab Program by working in the research labs of select faculty from chemistry, civil engineering, computer engineering, industrial and management systems engineering, mathematics, or physics.Contact: Jogi Ratti, jratti@chuma.cas.usf.edu http://www.math.usf.edu/Community/CMS/main.php

Mathematics Field Day.

Over 150 high school juniors and seniors and 30 high school mathematics teachers from Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota counties came to USF for a mathematics field day. They hear inspiring lectures in mathematics, meet University personnel, and tour the campus.

Research Experience for Undergraduates

This program allows students to experience first-hand how basic research is done and to contribute to the development of this research. Each student participating in the program is assigned to a specific research project and works closely with faculty, post docs, and graduate students on a number of research topics. Contact: Rudy Schlaf, schlaf@eng.usf.edu

Research Experience for Teachers (RET)

The RET program provides K-12 and community college teachers with the concrete skills and ability to motivate students in science and math disciplines, and advances their knowledge for advising and guiding students interested in the engineering disciplines. The program’s primary objective is to introduce teachers to the idea of integrating engineering research projects into the science and math they teach. 

Contact: Carlos A. Smith,  csmith@eng.usf.edu

YES – We Care! (Young Engineering Society)

This program is a mentoring program that introduces under-represented students to the fields of engineering, science, and mathematics. While in the program students are engaged in designing, building, and testing developed projects. The program involves students from schools in both Pinellas and Hillsborough school districts.

Contact: Rudy Henning, henning@eng.usf.edu

Student, Teachers and Resources in the Sciences (STARS) (NSF, GK-12, $1,500,000)

The STARS objective is to engage undergraduate and graduate student in the challenge of infusing engineering and science principles in such leading-edge areas as nanotechnology, optics, ad advanced manufacturing into the elementary school environments.  The goal of the STARS program is to utilize university –level educational research and information technology to stimulate math, science, and engineering interest in pre-college students.  To accomplish this goal, 15 undergraduate and graduate fellows are selected to go into area schools and serve as resources for elementary school teachers who will utilize the fellows’ specialized expertise in mathematics, science, or engineering to develop curriculum in these areas. Contact: Geofrey Okogbaa, Okogbaa@eng.usf.edu