The National Science Foundation-funded Robotics: Opportunities for Building Outstanding Talent
in the Sciences (R.O.B.O.T.S.) Project

Robotics: Opportunities for Building Outstanding Talent in the Sciences (R.O.B.O.T.S.) is a two-year project funded by The National Science Foundation. It is
designed to provide awareness of the scientific world especially that described through astronomy and physics. Two hundred ten (210) underserved rural, urban
and suburban students in grades six to eight are provided 200 hours of out-of-school time (OST) evening, Saturday and summer intensive hands-on, inquiry-based
STEM experiences, with a special focus on astronomy, physics and robotics. The project will help to improve students’ understanding of STEM by: (1) exposing
them to non-traditional science fields such as astronomy and physics via robotics; (2) e-mentoring by STEM professionals. When students complete this project
they will be able to make a smooth transition to advanced level, high school mathematics and science courses with the knowledge of scientific competitions,
research opportunities, and college majors and careers that they will be qualified to pursue.

The program components include:

Ø spring and fall Saturday Academy Sessions

Ø three-week Summer Program

Ø STEM E-Mentors

Ø team challenges and robotics competitions

Ø field trips and college tours

Ø videoconferences and symposia

Ø parent involvement workshops and activities

Ø recognition programs

Major Project Partners:

Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) - Click on the link to see recent photos of workshops held at different NC-MSEN Pre-College Program sites
Tyco Electronics
North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA)
IBM Centers for Advanced Studies
Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative
Seven out of nine NC-MSEN Pre-College Program sites (Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina A&T State University,
North Carolina State University, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, and Winston-Salem State University)


Please click here for the R.O.B.O.T.S. press release.

Offical R.O.B.O.T.S. Website is coming soon. Please check back later for the web link.

2007 North Carolina Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (NC JSHS) winners make the news on the
Wilmington Newspaper

Ms. Anna Parker & Ms. Lawson Greenwood

From the "New Hanover Education"

Hoggard High School is home to the first-place winner and Teacher Award winner of the 2007 North Carolina Junior Science and Humanities Symposium held
March 11 and 12 in Chapel Hill.

Anna Parker won first place for her presentation "The Electrocatalysis of DNA-Wrapped Carbon Nanotubes" and received a $1,500 scholarship. She will go on
to compete in Huntsville, Ala.

Lawson Greenwood won the Teacher Award.

http://www.starnewsonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070502/NEWS/705020352&SearchID=73280033799857

To download a press release, review the pictures, and learn more about the event of 2007 JSHS, please click here to see below.

Congratulations to Braska Williams, NCSU NC-MSEN Pre-College Program Coordinator, as one of the Recipients of the
Outstanding Extension Service Award!

Please click here to review a press release.

2007 MSEN Day was a huge success!

The 2007 MSEN Day was held at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Saturday, April 21st.
It was a huge success. To view a PowerPoint presentation containing pictures and video clips taken at the event,
please click here. (Best use of Internet Explorer to view and play video clips) Please also click the following
web links to review a press release and a list of all winners.

An Article from The Charlotte Observer Featuring Jasmine Gregory, one of the UNC Charlotte Pre-College Program PREP Students
(Sunday, April 15, 2007)

PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM FOR HIGH ACHIEVERS
Science makes her Saturdays special days
UNCC program helps student prepare for college, make friends
STEVE LYTTLE
slyttle@charlotteobserver.com

Harding University High School student Jasmine Gregory says giving up most of her Saturdays during the school year to attend a special science program at
UNC Charlotte is worth the effort.

"It's given me a head start," Jasmine says of the pre-college science program, offered by UNCC to high-achieving students. "It'll be a big help when I get to
college."

It also provided Jasmine with one of the biggest moments of her life last summer -- a chance to make a science presentation before fellow students from around
the world.

It all started last spring, when Jasmine took first place at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Indianapolis. The prize was a trip to the Youth Science
Forum last July in London.

There, she and other winners from around the world spent two weeks visiting tourist sites. But most of their time, they presented science project findings to fellow
students.

"It wasn't really scary," Jasmine says. "The students really made me feel comfortable."

Even language wasn't a barrier, she says.

"A lot of students from other countries knew enough English to communicate," she says.

The story goes back several years, when Jasmine was a seventh-grader and was picked to participate in the UNCC Saturday program. Her mother, Sonia, a
teacher at Druid Hills Elementary School in north Charlotte, convinced Jasmine that the program would benefit her.

Jasmine attends three hours of classes, three Saturdays a month. Students in their junior years are required to conduct a research project.

Jasmine teamed with UNCC chemistry teacher Thomas Schmedake on an effort to produce an improved oxygen sensor. That work helped her win the science
fair award a year ago.

"Through the UNCC program, I've made a lot of friends from other schools," says Jasmine, who is enrolled in Harding's International Baccalaureate program and
plans to attend N.C. State University next year. "And besides, I love science and math. It doesn't seem like work at all."

Jasmine Gregory

School: Harding University High School

Year: Senior

Age: 17

Education background: Attended Druid Hills Elementary School (grades K-3), an elementary school near Atlanta (grades 4-6), Marie G. Davis Middle School
(grade 7), Randolph Middle School (grade 8), and Harding University High School (grades 8-12).

Favorite TV shows: "CSI" (she wants to become a forensic scientist) and "Discovery Health."

Jasmine's news article can also be found by clicking at the following web link.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/274/story/86126.html

NC-MSEN Pre-College Program Hosted 2007 North Carolina Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (NC JSHS)

The 2007 North Carolina Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (NC JSHS) was held on March 11 and 12 at the UNC Center for School Leadership
Development in Chapel Hill. The event was a huge success. To learn more about National JSHS and NC JSHS, please click http://www.jshs.org/ and
http://education.uncc.edu/cmste/jshs/ respectively. To view the pictures that were taken at the event, please click here for a powerpoint presentation.
Please also click here for our press release and special thank you to all NC JSHS participants, volunteers, and staff.

Welcome Mrs. Chastity C.M. Harper as Our New University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) Pre-College Program Site Coordinator!

Please click on Mrs. Harper's Biography to learn more about Mrs. Harper.

Summer 2007 Biotechnology Workshops for Educators - Sponsored by The North Carolina Biotechnology Center

This summer you can learn how to:

· Isolate DNA from Strawberries within 10 minutes

· Make millions of copies of any gene of interest for further analysis

· Apply biotechnology to improve the traits of plants, animals or microbes

· Perform restriction analyses of plasmid or phage DNA

· Examine societal issues raised by advances in biotechnology

· Describe career opportunities and educational requirements for jobs in the biotechnology industry

Don’t miss this summer’s 2007 Biotechnology Workshops for Educators, sponsored by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. Learn about activities that will
engage your students while reinforcing State objectives. North Carolina educators receive a daily stipend, room and board, technology or regular CEUs, and access
to the Biotechnology Center's Free Supplies and Equipment Loan Programs.

Summer 2007 Workshop Schedule

Introductory Biotechnology

Davidson County Community College

June 18-22

Introductory Biotechnology

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

June 25-29

Introductory Biotechnology

UNC – Charlotte

June 25-29

Introduction to Biotechnology for CTE Teachers

North Carolina School of the Arts

June 25-28

Introductory Biotechnology

Carteret Community College

July 16-20

Microbiology and Biotechnology for Middle School Teachers

Meredith College

July 30-August 3

Complete information about the workshops may be found on the Biotechnology Center's Web site. Space is limited so register now at
www.ncbiotech.org/summerworkshops.

Welcome Dr. Bernice V. Campbell as Our New East Carolina University (ECU) Pre-College Program Site Coordinator!

Please click on Dr. Bernice V. Campbell's Biography to learn more about Dr. Campbell.

Welcome Ms. Erin McManus as Our New Western Carolina University (WCU) Pre-College Program Site Coordinator!

Please click on Ms. Erin McManus's Biography to learn more about Ms. McManus.