The Summer Scholars program — held in two sessions from July 6 through Aug. 1 — provided 254 high school juniors and seniors a two-week intensive module with hands-on, interesting topics, Kabbaz said.
All of the university’s divisions — College of Arts and Science; Farmer School of Business; College of Creative Arts; College of Education, Health and Society; and College of Engineering and Computing — were represented in the course offerings.
Classes ranged from “Game of Clones: Genetic Engineering in Society” and “The Art of Game Design,” to “Acting for the Stage and Screen: A Practical Approach” and “Media and the Millennials: Journalism in Action.”
The former Junior Scholars program, created in the 1980s, was a six-week, for-credit opportunity for high school seniors to enroll in summer courses. Kabbaz said demand for the program declined in recent years as access to college credits has grown with Advancement Placement courses and dual-credit classes at community colleges.
Bo Brinkman, associate professor in the department of computer science and software engineering, said he co-taught a computing course with 19 students. The group met for five hours a day during the two-week course.
“These were very high-achieving students; they were enthusiastic,” Brinkman said.
Brinkman said the computing class included elements from several introductory courses at Miami.
The students used a programming tool to create computer graphics and add different effects. Some students created video games while others explored music visualizers. He said some students used electronic and robotic components to build an ice pop-stick robot that could kick a ping pong ball.
“Everyone was intent on learning something and having a good time,” Brinkman said. “These types of summer camps are effective in helping them explore interests.”
More than 700 applications were received for the first year of Summer Scholars. About 60 percent of the accepted students were from Ohio, with a remaining 40 percent representing nearly 20 states, including California, New Jersey, Illinois and Texas.
“We selected really smart, interesting students,” Kabbaz said.
He added about a quarter of the 254 students were from under-represented populations based on gender, ethnicity and race, including 60 percent female.
Annie Kafoure, senior assistant director for high-ability recruitment and Summer Scholars coordinator, said she’s been impressed by the response and overall engagement from students enrolled in the program.
“It’s encouraging they’re leaving excited and trying things they’ve never done before,” Kafoure said. “It’s the full range of the college experience we hope to present to them.”
Students in the program had a full schedule of social and recreational activities following each day’s class. They attended a Cincinnati Reds game, went to Kings Island, and experienced a Miami staple — a Broomball tournament.
Kafoure said there were also nightly workshops inside the residence hall on different aspects of college preparation and the admissions process.
Over 40 students received full scholarships to cover the $1,350 program fee through business partnerships with Key Bank and nonprofits Minorities in Mathematics, Science & Engineering and Scioto Foundation.
“Miami is in a competitive market,” Kabbaz said, adding the program will help the university meet its long-term admissions goal to attract more minority and under-served populations.
This year, Miami had a record 24,801 students apply for the fall 2014 semester.
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