Stem Academic Boot Camp

Overview

The Warrior-Scholar Project STEM academic boot camp consists of lectures on Newtonian physics, recitation sections, readings, problem sets, individual work sessions, research projects, and special STEM talks and demonstrations. All boot camps also include a series of discussions on succeeding in college as a student veteran.

Course Structure

Lectures replicate traditional large group classes that students will encounter in STEM-related degree programs. Several host institution professors deliver lessons with varying styles. The lectures cover one-dimensional motion, two-dimensional motion, Newton’s laws, and work and energy.

Recitation sections guide students through problem-solving techniques required for college homework assignments, quizzes, and examinations. In these sections, WSP staff will review problems from the textbook and concepts necessary for completing the assigned problem sets.

Problem sets are designed to build a student’s understanding of the class’ physical concepts and learn the mechanics of problem-solving. Time is dedicated to completing the assigned problem sets and readings each day. Students also use this time to review concepts or problems with WSP staff and other students.

Reading assignments prepare students for the next day’s lecture and problem set. Students are encouraged to spend their individual work time discussing the readings and asking questions about the physical concepts. Students work through each assigned example problem.

Research projects are led by campus researchers (graduate students), and students work in groups to explore various scientific topics and apply their reading and learning skills. On the final day of STEM week, research groups present their research goals, methodology, and conclusions to the staff and other WSP students.

Talks and demonstrations expose students to various STEM topics not represented in the core curriculum and are given by host campus faculty and researchers.

Sample Course Schedule

Courses run from Sunday – Friday

7:00 AM – 8:30 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Research Projects:

Through mentored research projects, students will explore new scientific topics selected by the research project leaders. Students will work in groups and learn to distribute work and develop leadership skills within a group environment. On the final day of STEM week, research groups will present their research goals, methodology, and conclusions to the staff and other WSP students.

11:15 AM – 12:30 PM Lecture:

Lectures replicate traditional large group classes that students will encounter in STEM degree programs. To accurately represent a typical college experience, lectures are delivered by different professors with varying styles. The lessons will cover the concepts necessary to begin problem-solving in each day’s topic.

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM Lunch

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Science Talk / Demonstration:

Students will attend presentations on various special topics delivered by host campus STEM faculty. The topics showcase the host campus’ most exciting research. Students may also participate in one or more “ask-me-anything” (AMA) sessions, panels, or lab tours with a scientist from the host campus. The purpose of these sessions is to expose students to STEM-based fields active on campus that are not represented in the core curriculum.

3:15 PM – 4:45 PM Recitation Section:

Recitation sections guide students through problem-solving techniques that are required for college homework assignments, quizzes, and examinations. In these sections, WSP fellows will review problems from the textbook and concepts necessary for completing the assigned problem sets.

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Dinner

6:45 PM – 11:00 PM Work on Problem Sets:

This time is dedicated to completing the assigned problem sets and readings each day. The time can also be used to discuss or revisit the overarching concepts that have been covered in the program. Students can also use this time to review concepts or problems with the fellows or other students. Students should work together and help each other before asking for help from the fellows. Students are expected to ask for help if they cannot complete the problem sets.