2007 summer transportation institute final report

Final reportPDFResearch PaperUTC-ETT17913041DTRS98-G-0021Transportation careersEducationHigh school studentsMissouriMissouri University of Science and Technology. Center for Infrastructure Engineering StudiesUniversity Transportation Centers Program (U.S.)Pickerill, HeathMissouri University of Science and Technology. Center for Infrastructure Engineering StudiesUniversity Transportation Centers Program (U.S.)United States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Special Programs AdministrationNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-PLANNING AND POLICYUS Transportation CollectionThe Missouri LTAP at the Missouri University of Science & Technology hosted its eighth U.S. Department of Transportation Summer Transportation Institute (STI). The mission of the institute\ue2\u20ac\u2122s program is as follows: To contribute to the development of a diverse, well-qualified workforce for the transportation industry by encouraging secondary school students to pursue transportation careers. In concert with this mission and with MST\ue2\u20ac\u2122s unique strengths, the objectives of this effort were to provide an educational experience for high school students which explored a wide variety of aspects of the transportation industry and its role in our society. To that end, the STI curriculum provided educational opportunities for its students in critical areas of transportation. The twelve tenth-, eleventh- and twelfth-grade students who were chosen for the program were exposed to university life, leadership and team-building activities, and a series of guest speakers, hands-on laboratories, and field trips. The institute was comprised of two weeks covering all modes of transportation and was headquartered at the Missouri LTAP Center. The Federal Highway Administration\ue2\u20ac\u2122s money was used as \ue2\u20ac\u153seed\ue2\u20ac? money to fund the institute, which cost more than twice the amount funded. Staff from the Missouri LTAP and Distance and Continuing Education Department of UMR conducted the two week institute. Government agencies and private firms provided substantial support in funding, staff assistance, and educational materials as well. Youths from across the State of Missouri were recruited. Program brochures and applications were distributed to more than 1,high school students who had indicated an interest in engineering; STI staff contacted all high school counselors who have recommended former program participants; parents of former STI participants were again asked to recruit; and the National Society of Black Engineers and local MODOT personnel were also again asked to help to identify and recruit likely candidates. Twelve applications were received and twelve were accepted. Applicants were selected based upon their academic standing and their essays explaining their interest in transportation. The average grade point average of the chosen group exceeded 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Five of the twelve were entering tenth grade in the fall, four were entering eleventh, and three were entering twelfth. There were four African Americans and eight Caucasian. Two of the students were female and ten were male. Additional demographics details are listed in the attachment. /Abstract from report summary page