The Summer Bridge Program began in 1991 as a two-week program with 12 students, with the objective of providing incoming MEP freshmen with a "jump-start" into their first-year math and science classes. The program has grown into a five-week, in-residence, intensive academic bridge experience, now commonly referred to as an "academic boot camp" that places participating freshmen at an advantage to other freshmen due to the academic and social familiarity gained through the Bridge program experience.

 

Participants in the 2001 Summer Bridge Program

Minority engineering and science students participated this past year in the five week program from June 16 - July 19, 2002. Students undertook courses in calculus, chemistry, physics, and computer programming. Bridge students also attended labs, field trips, and worked on a group presentation. As a special emphasis, Bridge courses were taught utilizing the principles of collaborative learning, whereby students worked together daily in small groups in both class and homework sessions. As a result, Bridge students developed strong teamwork and problem-solving skills. Bridge Program participants typically perform at a higher level in the freshman year as compared to students who have not attended the Bridge Program.

Since 1993, the College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences have joined efforts in conducting the Summer Bridge Program, representing a unique collaboration of effort in supporting underrepresented minorities who are both engineering and science incoming freshmen. The Bridge program is provided at no expense to participants. Funding for this year's portion of the MEP program was provided by the Louis Stokes Colorado Alliance for Minority Participation (CO-AMP) through funds received from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

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