Detroit Schools Partner for Engineering Success

The Detroit Schools has partnered with localstudents in grades K - 3. These Saturday classes for
universities to get students thinking about careers inboth children and their parents focus on teaching and
science and engineering. Students at different levelslearning math, science, pre-engineering, and reading.
of the Detroit Public Schools are being targeted in aHow to Join DAPCEP
statewide effort to get more women and minoritiesThe selection process for DAPCEP can be daunting
enrolled in engineering programs. One program thatfor parents anxious to give this opportunity to their
makes this its mission is the Detroit Area Pre Collegechildren. DAPCEP holds an open house each fall for
Engineering Program (DAPCEP).prospective students and parents. Students must
The Detroit Area Pre College Engineering Programmaintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average in all their school
DAPCEP works with area students in three mainsubjects. Other factors, such as attendance, and
ways. It partners with local public school teachers totaking certain academic subjects in the regular school
design a curriculum that encourages creative thinkingcurriculum, such as physics, chemistry, and higher
in the sciences. To fulfill this goal, DAPCEP sponsorslevel math, also play a role in student selection. For
science fairs, field trips, and university seminars formany programs, students also need letters of
students and teachers.recommendation from their math and science
DAPCEP also runs a Saturday program in conjunctionteachers.
with local universities and corporations to provideSummer Course Offerings
enrichments activities for students in grades 4 - 12.DAPCEP's university partnerships are providing a
These activities focus on different aspects of math,range of summer courses of Detroit area students.
computer science, engineering, physics, chemistry,Here are some highlights:
and communication skills.• Watershed Investigators (University of
In addition to its programs during the school year,Detroit Mercy)
DAPCEP brings local public school students intoStudents will investigate local water quality in a series
universities for summer programs. Some of theof real - world experiments.
summer programs are residential, with students living• How Math Rocks Our World (Tabernacle)
on campus for a few weeks and getting a real tasteStudents will see how their math and science skills
for the college life. Other programs providecompare with other students around the world, in
transportation to and from campus.particular China and India.
University Partnerships• Wireless Integrated Microsystems
DAPCEP's list of university partners is certainly(Michigan State University)
impressive.Hands - on activities and presentations from nine
• University of Detroit Mercydifferent engineering majors offered at the university.
• Michigan State University• Engineering Intensive Workshop ( Michigan
• University of Michigan Ann ArborTechnological University)
• Wayne State UniversityStudents choose two areas of study, ranging from
• Lawrence Technical UniversityMechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering,
• Oakland UniversityComputer Aided Engineering, Computer Programming,
• University of Michigan DearbornMaterial Engineering, Chemical Engineering and others.
• Michigan Technological UniversityAll of the DAPCEP programs emphasize the Detroit
The Little Engineer ProgramArea Public School District's commitment to ensuring
In addition to their very successful middle school andthat students have the opportunity to explore many
high school programs, DAPCEP also has something forchallenging areas and gain further insights into the
smaller learners. Its Little Engineer Program is forcollege experience.