NSF grant will fund program to lead
minorities, women into science, IT

The Science House has received a $700,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to fund a new program that will help steer women and minority students toward careers in science and information technology.

Photonics Leaders is a new year-round information technology program for qualified rising 11th graders. Participants will receive 150 hours of instruction annually during their junior and senior years of high school to acquaint them with careers in the IT field.

The program will emphasize hands-on learning experiences in electronics, optics, and computer hardware and software. Students will also receive career and personal counseling and internships at universities and industries located near North Carolina’s Research Triangle. Scholarship stipends will be awarded to those students who successfully complete the program.

Photonics Leaders is a continuation of The Science House’s Imhotep Academy and the Burroughs Wellcome-funded Photonics Xplorers program, which serve minority students in grades six through 10.

Rising high-school juniors with an interest in mathematics, science and engineering technology careers are encouraged to apply. Interested students may preregister online by Monday, Aug. 15.

The Science House is a learning outreach project of NC State. Its mission is to work in partnership with K-12 teachers to increase the use and impact of hands-on learning technologies in mathematics and science.

Posted Aug. 5, 2005

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