Rural Alaska Science and Mathematics Network

• Main Author: Brunk, Blanche R.
• Other Authors: ALASKA UNIV FAIRBANKS
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: Sociology and Law; Humanities and History; *STUDENTS; *MATHEMATICS; *LIFE SCIENCES; *COURSES(EDUCATION); *RURAL AREAS; *PHYSICAL SCIENCES; *AMERICAN INDIANS; PREPARATION; NETWORKS; RECRUITING; MINORITIES; ENGINEERING; UNIVERSITIES; MOTIVATION; REMOTE AREAS; DISTANCE LEARNING; *ALASKA NATIVES; FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS; COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSES; RASMN(RURAL ALASKA SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS NETWORK); COLLEGE STUDENTS; HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS; OUTREACH PROGRAMS; YOUNG ADULTS; MENTORING; TUTORING; Fairbanks; Nome; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA431400; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA431400

Less than 1 percent of all math, science, and engineering baccalaureate and graduate degrees at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF), are awarded to Alaska Native students. Academic preparation, lack of exposure to science careers in rural Alaska, and little connection between western science and Native traditional life have combined to impede Native students' interest and progress in math and science education. The goal of this project was to develop and deliver, both on-site and through distance learning, a comprehensive program of developmental and college preparatory math and science courses at minority institutions throughout the State of Alaska. The program developed and launched an integrated preparatory cohort of math and science courses at five geographically isolated Alaska Native Minority Institutions with campuses in Kotzebue, Nome, Bethel, Dillingham, and Sitka that allowed for successful articulation to baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate study in both the math and science fields. The UAF formed the Rural Alaska Science and Mathematics Network (RASMN). RASMN hired faculty to deliver courses locally from the remote campuses throughout rural Alaska. Faculty mentored and tutored students taking college courses in the College of Rural Alaska and at the University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus. The presence of qualified math and science faculty at these remote locations positively benefited colleagues, students, and the communities. Using an inclusive approach, RASMN reached out to young students in the 18-to-25 year-old age group by advising, recruiting, and supporting them in studying math and science subjects and in enrolling in related certificate and degree programs. Most of these young people were first-generation college students. The faculty taught mathematics and science courses to approximately 100 students each academic year during the 5-year RASMN project.