Saturday Academy of Computing and Mathematics (SACAM) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The Saturday Academy of Computing and Mathematics (SACAM) represents one facet of Oak Ridge National Laboratory´s (ORNL´s) response to meet the challenge of training students and teachers in the use of computers, logic, and mathematics. SACAM attempts to provide high school students with a program that illustrates how researchers use computing and mathematics tools to help solve problems in virtually all scientific fields. Each SACAM program is designed as eight 3 h sessions. Each session outlines a current scientific question or research term. Sessions are presented on a Saturday morning by two or four ORNL scientists working in that particular field. Approximately four students and one teacher from each of ten area high schools attend the sessions. Evaluations from students, teachers, and speakers indicate that the program has been well received, and a tracking program is being undertaken to determine long-range benefits