NMSU Pre-Freshman Engineering Program
The Pre-Freshman Engineering Program (PREP) located on the campus of New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruces, New Mexico recruits pre-college students with a history of academic achievement for a six-week, academically intense, summer program with the goal of preparing them for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Courses including logic, algebraic structures and physics stimulate students' interest in higher mathematics and science. Problem solving sessions equip them with the necessary tools and develop the enthusiasm to complete pre-calculus and calculus during high school. Through Friday field trips and Career Awareness Seminars, the students meet and interact with professionals who instill the vision and passion to become the scientific leaders of tomorrow. Participants may begin the program as early as sixth grade, and attend for three years prior to college entrance. Although PREP is open to everyone, the program focus is on female and minority populations traditionally underrepresented in the STEM fields.
Although increasing the participation of disadvantaged Americans in STEM is important nationally, this challenge is especially critical in New Mexico, as the state has the highest proportion of Hispanics and the third highest proportion of Native Americans than any other state in the United States. Furthermore, New Mexico ranks 46th among the 50 states in per capita income. Dona Ana County, the primary focus of PREP, ranks 24th out of 33 counties for per capita income in New Mexico. This county is largely agrarian and resides on the southern Rio Grande Corridor where 54.4 percent of the population (age five and older) speaks a language other than English at home. The three participating school districts are Las Cruces Public Schools, Gadsden Independent School District, and Hatch Valley Public Schools.
Since the program's inception in 1997, PREP has had 644 students complete PREP 1, 405 students complete PREP 2, and 282 students complete PREP 3. Approximately two-thirds of the former participants completing PREP 1 return to complete PREP 2. The PREP 2 to PREP 3 retention rate is approximately 75 percent. This year, a total of 152 students completed one of the PREP components with a summer retention rate of 94 percent. Eighty-seven percent of this population was underrepresented minorities and of that group 56 percent were female.
Of the 644 students who have successfully completed PREP 1 since 1997, 268 are now college age. The results of the returned surveys were:
- 159 PREP students are currently in college, 35 PREP students are college graduates, and 4 PREP students are in the military, entrepreneurs, or private sector
- 100 percent of those who returned the survey are high school graduates
- 52 percent of the college attendees are majoring in STEM fields
- 83 percent are members of underrepresented minority groups
- 54 percent are female
- 93 percent of those currently in college are enrolled at New Mexico State University
- 94 percent are attending universities in New Mexico
As a part of the curriculum the students visited the White Sands Missile Range, a unique tri-service facility for test, evaluation, research, and assessment of military systems and commercial products worldwide; Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC), an internationally recognized explosives laboratory; Program participants examine a remote-controlled blimp, one of the PREP student projects.
Holloman Air Force Base, home to the worldufs first operational aircraft to exploit low observable (stealth) technology, the F-117A Nighthawk and the world's longest and fastest test track; among other science and technology centers that reinforce the PREP curricula. As a part of this activity, career awareness speakers shared their personal, educational, and professional experiences with the PREP students.
Dr. Vallen Emery, Outreach Program Manager of the Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Maryland was a key speaker, who enlightened the students as to potential career opportunities with the U.S. Army and the educational skills needed to become a part of their program. Major Agustin Natamoko, U.S. Army ROTC Instructor on the campus of NMSU, was another speaker who shared his experiences.
PREP is funded through grants and contributions from the U.S. Army's AHPCRC, Intel, Wolslager Foundation, and Lockheed Martin. Though the generous support of the U.S. Army and others, this is program is free to eligible students.