Pre-College
Program
First launched in 1986, the NC-MSEN Pre-College Program began at four sites and served 427 students its first year. Since then, the program has expanded to six sites at state universities across North Carolina and currently serves approximately 2,000 students each year. Over the past fifteen years, the Pre-College Program has influenced thousands of young North Carolinians, broadening their academic and geographical horizons and encouraging them to attend college and pursue careers in mathematics and science.
On Saturday, April 28th, 2001, NC-MSEN Pre-College students from all six Pre-College sites came to North Carolina A&T State University to participate in MSEN Day 2001 and to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the Pre-College Program along with program staff, alumni, and friends. The theme for this special day was “15 Years of Mastering Excellence – Reflecting on the Past, Recognizing the Present, Redefining the Future.”
Competitions included math and science tests in many mathematics and science subjects for both middle school and high school students. Students were also able to participate in hands-on competitions. In the Parachute Egg Drop, students built parachutes designed to carry an egg to the ground without breaking it. They then tested their designs by placing eggs in the parachute baskets, dropping the parachutes, and timing the drops. In the Tower Building competition, competitors had to build the tallest, most durable tower using only straws, toothpicks, tape and rubber bands. In the Quiz Bowl competition, teams from each site competed to answer math and science questions quickly and move on to the next round.
In the Poster Art and Oratorical competitions, students vied for honors in areas beyond mathematics and science. Students participating in the Poster Art competition designed and constructed posters that illustrated the MSEN Day 2001 theme of “15 Years of Mastering Excellence.” Participants drew on this theme in the Oratorical competition as well, addressing the audience and a panel of judges on the importance of “Reflecting on the Past, Recognizing the Present, and Redefining the Future.”
After MSEN Day’s competitions ended, students were able to tour the campus of NC A&T State University. Students, chaperones, staff, and special guests then gathered in the Moore Gymnasium for the Fifteenth Anniversary Celebration and Awards Ceremony. Pre-College staff members who had been with the program for at least five years were recognized for their dedication and continued hard work. Twenty-two people had been with the Pre-College Program for its entire fifteen-year history! First, second, and third place winners were announced, and medals were awarded. The first-place Middle School Oratorical winner and the second-place High School Oratorical student delivered their winning speeches and greatly impressed the audience with their composure, their energetic delivery, and their stirring words. Pre-College alumni were present at the ceremony and spoke to the crowd, offering current Pre-College students advice and encouragement and urging them to join and participate in the Pre-College Alumni Association. The ceremony closed as Ms. Kara Manley, GAMSEC Pre-College Coordinator, "passed the torch" to UNC-Charlotte Coordinator Mr. Victor Mack, whose site will host MSEN Day 2002.
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF MSEN DAY 2001 WINNERS.
THE PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM’S 15 YEAR STATUS REPORT CELEBRATES THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM, DISCUSSES ITS HISTORY AND ITS FUTURE, AND PROFILES SEVERAL ALUMNI AND ALUMNI PARENTS. CLICK HERE TO READ IT.
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