Hispanic Scholar Program at Newman

The Newman Hispanic Scholar Program (NHSP) is designed to motivate Hispanic high school students by using an investigative hands-on integrated approach to help them graduate from high school. It is hoped that the experience of taking classes on a college campus will encourage these students to complete high school and consider enrolling in college. In this manner, college becomes a positive and familiar experience, which ultimately becomes a desirable choice.

The program is offered in response to the national concern about the high secondary school dropout rate for Hispanics compared to other racial or ethnic groups. Because Hispanic students are among the least likely to either graduate from high school or earn a college degree, dropping out forecloses a lifetime of opportunities and consequently makes it far more likely that their own children may be placed at risk. NHSP strives to prepare scientifically literate Hispanic citizens by planting dreams of higher education and ultimately a successful career for its participants.

Objectives

• To strengthen pre-college science education and address the needs of students during the critical years when concepts and attitudes are developed.
• To make science a fun and exciting opportunity through an investigative laboratory approach.
• To increase the understanding of the relevance of science to Hispanic students and increase their interest and confidence in learning science through student-centered instructions.
• To help students graduate from high school by fostering independent scholarship, originality and competence in science.
• To broaden participants' scientific interests and inform them of the need and opportunities for Hispanics in science and health professions.

Format

Those selected for NHSP will receive:

• Two hours of college credit upon successful completion of the program
• Waiver of tuition costs (valued at $1,392)
• University identification cards, which will enable them to use the Library and to participate in extra-curricular activities on campus at no charge

The program is offered during the fall semester and each class meets once a week. The program emphasizes an inquiry based, interdisciplinary approach to learning where the discrete disciplines of subject matter are related to one another in a design that matches the developmental needs of the participants and that helps to convert their learning in ways that are relevant to their discovery-oriented projects.

• Select a meaningful topic or project from the biological, health or physical sciences
  • Once selected, instruction is planned around activities that focus on that project
• Conduct a literature search
• Set up laboratory/field experiments
• Collect data
• Analyze results
• Draw conclusions from their findings
• Write a paper in a scientific format

Participants are also encouraged to present their papers at the annual meeting of the Kansas Junior Academy of Science. This is a great opportunity!

The program faculty, through a one-to-one ongoing discussion rather than traditional lectures, provides supervision and project background information. Occasional guest speakers are scheduled to discuss conflict resolution, spirituality, first aid, CPR and career options in science, humanities and health professions.

The program attempts to track the participants' continued enrollment in high school, academic progress in science, graduation from high school and acceptance to an institution of higher education.

Criteria for Selection

Applicants must:

• Complete the Application for Admission
• Include a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor
• Include a copy of your high school transcript
• Write a brief essay explaining your career goals and the reason you should be considered for the Newman Hispanic Scholar Program

For More Information

Contact Program Director Surendra Singh, Ph.D.

Download the latest Newman Hispanic Scholars Program brochure.

Download the Newman Hispanic Scholars Program application for admission.