Gift Report:
Corporate gifts helping COE reach
a new generation of engineers
The ESP group during a tour of Abbott Laboratories. (large image) |
The Engineering Summer Program (ESP), the longest-running pre-college program at the UW-Madison, will help inspire another 26 future engineers this summer, thanks to a range of corporate support.
ESP, a campus summer standard since 1974, gives junior and senior- level high school students a six-week immersion experience in both the scientific rigor and the hands-on nature of an engineering degree. The experience culminates in students putting their math, physics and chemistry instruction to work on an engineering design challenge—this year, focusing on world health and global engineering. “One of the best things about the program is when students start to realize how important the physical sciences are to the actual work of being an engineer,” says Molly Davis, assistant director of pre-college programs.
|
“Once they put that together, they really thrive.” The cost of roughly $100,000 to run the program is underwritten by a variety of sources. This year, Halliburton Corp. of Houston provided $25,000 to support ESP. Abbott Laboratories of Chicago provided another $15,000, Rockwell Automation of Milwaukee is sponsoring two Milwaukee-area students for a total of $10,000, and BP provided $1,000.
In addition, the campus-wide PEOPLE program (which stands for Pre-college Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence) will support 10 participating students this year. The state Department of Public Instruction also provides scholarships for ESP.
|
ESP participants, who are chosen based on their academic merit and interest in engineering, also come from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in science and engineering fields.
That includes ethnic minorities, women, first-generation college students and students from economically disadvantaged families.
The six-week program is set up to rival a true university experience, including staying in Lakeshore residence halls and grappling with homework assignments each evening. The students also hear guest lectures from industry experts and make visits to regional industries, including Rockwell, Abbott and Nestle USA in Burlington, Wisconsin. The experience includes a ropes course and trips to the Overture Center for the Arts, Devil’s Lake and other spots.
“The goal is not only building awareness of engineering as a career option, but building confidence so that they can succeed at a big institution like UW-Madison,” Davis says.
|
Recruitment records show the program is working. Every year, the university enrolls 10 to 15 students who are ESP alumni, and many of those move on to enroll as engineers, Davis says.
“We take a full six weeks because we are building an actual relationship with these students, where they are bonded to us, to their fellow students and to the university,” she says.