LEARNING
& FUN
The
College Tech Prep Program sponsors a number of fun and challenging
educational programs for students in grades 5-12. These programs
are intended to provide students exposure to careers in science,
math, engineering, and technology. They are “applied
learning” experiences for students and reinforce concepts
in math, science, and technology.
Northeast
Ohio Robotics Competition
NEORC was created by a consortium of engineering technology
programs who joined together to inspire and motivate students
toward studies and careers in engineering, science, and technology
by providing a sports-like technology contest. The Northeast
Ohio Robotics Competition (NEORC) is an academic program that
provides high school and middle school students with a "hands-on"
applied learning experience for approximately 8 weeks and
culminating in a competition in January (middle school) and
March (high school) of each year.
- New
“games” every year
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Restrict materials, time, cost, and size
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Multidisciplinary
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Engineers, technicians, scientists, and teachers working
together
| Goals:
- Increase
awareness of engineering, science, and technical careers
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Reinforce math, science, and technical concepts
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Foster teamwork
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Encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills
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Provide a contextual and applied learning experience
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Teach project management
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All
students in grade 9-12 are eligible to compete in the high
school division and grades 5-8 in the middle school division.
Schools and organizations from Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga,
Geneva, Lake, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull,
and Tuscarawas counties are eligible to participate.
Penguin
Regatta
Students with creative urges get their chance to demonstrate
them in the Penguin Regatta every spring at YSU. They are
asked to build and race boats made entirely of cardboard.
Sounds impossible? Seeing is believing!
The
objective of the race is to give students the chance to use
problem solving and critical thinking skills and to participate
in an applied learning experience using math, science and
technical concepts.
Teams
of no more than eight members design, build and race their
best ideas at Beeghly Center, Youngstown State University.
Schools may send more than one team.
The
University sponsors a race day to help make the event a celebration
of creativity and competition. Registration takes place in
the fall of each year and the competition is scheduled for
May of the next year. No more than 30 teams may enter. The
competition is focused on speed around markers in the university
Olympic pool. Speed and maneuverability are keys to winning.
Not having your design dissolve during the race is also very
important.
Teams
have the option of competing in two events: “Showboat”
and “Follow the Dotted Line”. The “Showboat”
event is for cardboard canoes built and finished before the
race. “Follow the Dotted Line” race is where the
cardboard pieces will be assembled during the race using duct
tape.
Prizes
will be awarded for the best presentation in each event as
well as fastest boat in each event. A prize will be given
for the greatest number of racers in a craft (prior to sinking).
Young
Entrepreneurs Program
The YSU Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) teaches urban middle
and high school students about entrepreneurship. YEP aims
to:
- Teach
young entrepreneurs the fundamentals of starting and running
their own businesses
-
Encourage young entrepreneurs to continue their education
beyond high school
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Boost young entrepreneurs’ self-esteem
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Teach young entrepreneurs the importance of setting goals,
hard work and perseverance
| Goals: |
- To
teach high school students the fundamentals
of starting their own small businesses
- On-campus
program to teach high school students of
color and economically disadvantaged high
school students business development fundamentals
-
Year long program to develop business plan
and help set up business ideas
- To
build bridges between YSU and high school students
from Youngstown and Warren City Schools
- YSU
builds bridges by fostering personal relationships
between members of the university business
school community, Black alumni and local
high schools students of color
- To
help the community to help itself
- YEP
aims to provide local young people with
the tools to help themselves, targeting
its efforts on those in the community whom
are largely underserved or who would derive
the greatest benefits from YEP
-
YEP helps identify and develop leaders among
community youth and encourages young people
in the community to succeed in academics
and in business
- To
involve business students in community service
- YEP
aims to encourage business students to become
concerned and involved citizens while they
are in school and after they graduate by
providing opportunities to volunteer in
the community
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| Themes: |
- Investment
in People
YEP believes that the most effective way to
help inner-city neighborhoods is by investing
in human capital.
- Importance
of Community
Communities are the fundamental building blocks
of society and reflect the values and aspirations
of their members. YEP is designed to help strengthen
our communities.
- Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is more than just starting
a business; it is the capacity for innovation,
determination, and discipline. The entrepreneurial
spirit is an important element in YEP’s
goal to foster strong communities.
- Mentorship
YEP is a strong advocate of mentoring relationships,
which build caring, and responsibility in the
mentors and self-confidence in the protégés.
- Development
through Education
YEP reflects the belief that education is the
most promising long-term means for economic
and community development in today’s society,
education is the prerequisite for success.
- Community
as Classroom
YSU students gain important insights by working
in local neighborhoods, not only discovering
the personal rewards of community service, but
also acquiring practical business and life experience.
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