Project A.T.O.M.
– Accentuating Technical Opportunities for Minorities Opportunities
for Minorities
Principal Investigator/
Project Director: Dr. S. Raj Chaudhury
School Division: School of Science & Technology/BEST Lab
Current Sponsor(s): U.S. Dept. of Education
Funding Amount: $494,000
Funding Period: 1999-2002
Project ATOM (Accentuating Technical Opportunities for Minorities)
is a collaboration between five predominantly minority institutions
aiming to reverse the trend of declining student interest in the
physical sciences. The consortium of universities is Norfolk State
University, Fayetteville State University, Elizabeth City State
University, Virginia State University and University of North Carolina
at Pembroke. The partners have targeted the academic disciplines
of physics, chemistry and mathematics to increase the number of
minorities pursuing degrees and enhance their preparation for graduate
school and professional studies. The goals will be attained through
a program of active recruitment, increase interest via support system
such as tutoring and advisement and curriculum enhancements that
incorporate science content into an inquiry-based learning approach.
Project activities will include faculty professional development
seminars, stipends to student tutors and a three week summer program
to ease the transition of freshmen students to college life and
college courses.
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