A two-way interactive video pre-college engineering program: the Notre Dame model

The Ameritech Pre-College Minority Engineering Program at Notre Dame (APMEP) is an academic-year initiative that introduces minority youths to engineering and related careers. Using two-way interactive video technology, the program simultaneously reaches students in grades 7 and 8 at four different locations. In addition to the opportunity to explore engineering, the program emphasizes hands-on projects, presentation techniques, problem-solving/critical thinking and writing skills. Participants and their families learn and work together through family engineering events that are also part of the program. The pre-college engineering program curriculum reinforces concepts presented in school science and/or math courses and meets national math and science standards. These concepts are then taken a few steps beyond to engineering applications. The program is staffed by K-12 math and science teachers, Notre Dame engineering and science faculty and graduate students, undergraduate engineering students and professional engineers. Moreover, the APMEP was one of 17 programs recognized by the Center for Occupational Research and Development for "Exemplary Applications of Video-Conferencing in Education". Its reputation for excellence and innovation has also created tremendous demand for inclusion among various school corporations throughout the state of Indiana.