Picking Up Steam
The Division of Science and Technology at the College of Staten Island is launching STEAM, a comprehensive, NSF-funded program that will expand and support undergraduate education in all areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The goal of STEAM to make more and more students aware of the opportunities offered by an interdisciplinary, professionally-oriented science education, and to support them through the entire arc of their of their academic experience.
The unifying theme of STEAM is Applied Mathematics: the ability to bring mathematical skills and quantitative modeling to all fields of science and technology.
The goal is both to offer participating students a better experience in their introductory mathematics courses (by stressing the applicability of mathematics to many interesting real-world questions), and (for non-math majors) to teach them how to use their mathematical knowledge in their field of interest. For this purpose, STEAM will support activities such as curriculum development, undergraduate research, seminars etc.
In practice, STEAM will offer CSI students several new opportunities:
- Semester-long scholarships open to all students.
(based on SAT scores, high-school averages, math readiness etc.) - Research stipends for undergraduates.
- Early advisement/mentoring of students who think they may be interested in pursuing a degree
in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. - An Applied Math “block program” (starting Fall 2010) to bring together students
that are interested in scientific and technical majors. - An Applied Mathematics seminar for undergraduates.
All CSI undergraduates are invited to take advantage of STEAM, even if they are still uncertain about their choice of major. In fact, one of the purposes of this program is to help students discern their field of study and overcome the fears that are often associated with a scientific and/or technical curriculum.
All you need to do at this time, even if you are only vaguely interested in a science major, is send us an email indicating your interest. Please include your name, current major, and academic interests.