INCUBATOR SCIENTISTS PROGRAM
A Model That Work
“Nurturing tomorrow's Scientist ”
PROGRAM FOCUS
The pyramid is symbolic of the program's purpose – historically striving for excellence in STEM. It is believed that the work done to promote excellence in science and mathematics will encourage and challenge students to embrace the connective bond between past, present, and future achievements in mathematics, science, and technology.
MOTTO:
If it is to be, it is to be by me.
LOGO :
The Bumblebee
The logo is symbolized as “The Bumblebee”. According to the law of aerodynamics, the bumblebee's large body and short wingspan should prohibit its ability to fly. However, the bumblebee defies the law of aerodynamics and flies anyway. Like the bumblebee, in spite of the odds against it, the incubator scientist is successful in the goal to succeed in STEM just as the bumblebee is successful in its goal to fly.
More about bumblebees
COLORS :
Black and Yellow
The students of the ISP adopted the colors of yellow and black, which is symbolic of the bumblebee. Black represents strength and power incoordination; yellow represents excellence in achievement in science, mathematics and technology.
DESCRIPTION
The Incubator Scientists Program is a comprehensive, multi-faceted, pre-collegiate intervention science strategy. The program builds on the idea that high school students will show increased academic success in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The program provided a structured curriculum in science that builds on investigation, inquiry, and discovery, and is supported by intensive supervision, instruction, and guidance. Key to the success of this strategy is an essential emphasis on a carefully used set of adult behaviors that interact with students.
The Incubator Scientists Program was primarily designed to nurture and motivate the underreprented youths while promoting student advancement toward accelerated coursework as they pursue careers in science, mathematics, and technology. It was also developed to: help students to select, plan, and carry out projects with the help of classroom teachers and volunteers mentors from colleges and universities, industries and businesses in the community; engage students in school district, state, and national competitions; provide intensive assistance to involved students in their college or university selections; assist students with financial plans in pursuit of a college education; and maintain an active involvement in the post-secondary academic lives of the program participants. All of these elements serve to enhance the participants' preparation for academic and career-related success in mathematics, science and technology.
GOALS
To provide a mechanism to identify and promote African American students who demonstrate an interest in science and enhance their potential for achievement.
To solicit the involvement and support of the scientific community
OBJECTIVES
- Promote scientific experiments and research investigation at the high school level.
- Increase the number of African American students engaged in investigation and research projects
- Provide opportunities for students to gain knowledge and increased understanding of the guidelines for preparing science research projects
- Guide students toward academic success through individual motivation, nurturing, encouragement and scientific exposure
- Expand the horizons of African American students in science and mathematics based careers
- Conduct professional development seminars, workshops, and institutes for teachers in science, mathematics and technology
- Establish a partnership with the scientific community and offer a broad range of experiences for students
- Utilize the scientific community as a resource for students to learn through practical experience
History
The Incubator Scientists Program (ISP) was conceived and implemented by Dr. Edward Haynie and piloted in the St. Louis Public School system in 1988, at William H. Beaumont High School, an inner city non-integrated school in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Samuel Massie, former professor of chemistry at the United Sates Naval Academy, is credited for the logo of the Incubator Scientists Program the “Bumblebee” Dr. Massie in 1989 made a presentation to all students at Beaumont High. The title of his topic was appropriately called, “The Flight of the Bumblebee”. Shortly after his historical speech, Dr. Massie invited seven Beaumont High School students to present their research projects to a special panel of scientists at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Washington, D.C. As a result of that meeting, the program received funding from the NSF to seek out talented high school students to participate in independent problem solving activities and communicate their ideas effectively within the classroom and beyond. In 1990, funding from the National Science Foundation, the St. Louis Regional Science and Technology Career Access Center (RCAC) at the University of Missouri St. Louis financially supported the ISP program. The ISP was the major science program for RCAC that promote science knowledge and skills for students from groups historically under-represented and underserved to be career and college prepared. The program was expanded to Sumner High School in 1992, and then later to International Studies High School at Soldan High School in 1993. The programs in 1999 begin its operation in the St. Louis Public School's Division of Curriculum and Professional Development until 2003. In 2003, the ISP received grant funding from the Monsanto Fund and transferred its program to Missouri Baptist University.
