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OUR YUCAIPA | APRIL 2015 23 Over 2,000 students in elementary, middle and high school were exposed to STEM careers at Crafton Hills College (CHC) last year, thanks to the Dept. of Education grant the college secured three years ago. Activities like SciFri, NASCAR Math and Science Day, The Science Experience, and Promise Scholars, gave students of all ages an opportunity to learn more about science, math, computer science, fire science, and biology. The goal of these activities is to increase the number of Hispanic students pursuing a STEM degree or certificate, and increasing the number who transfer to a four-year institution. Obviously, many of the activities won't pay off for a number of years as they were focused on students not yet of college-going age. But SciFri, which this year brought 200 students from nine high schools to Crafton Hills for the day, has resulted in 15 percent of them enrolling in STEM courses at CHC the next year, SciFri begins with a keynote speaker. Last year it was Dr. Stuart Sumida, professor at CSUSB and animal anatomy consultant for animated films, including Lion King and How to Train Your Dragon. This year's keynote speaker was Dr. Laura Newcombe, also from CSUSB, who is researching influenza Nucleoprotein (NP). After the keynote presentation, students rotate between a series of three experiential workshops. This year, these workshops focused on chemistry, microbiology and computer science. Once students enroll at CHC, there are a number of activities in the grant to help them be successful. STEMTrek offers academic, social and co-curricular opportunities designed to support successful transfer into four-year programs, and STEMAcademy, is designed for students beginning their studies. There are one-on-one tutoring services for students in advanced physics and math courses. And there is a supplemental instruction (SI) program for students in chemistry, physics, geology, microbiology, and math. This program, in particular, has been especially successful for Hispanic students, showing a 20 percent increase in course completion for those students who participate. Overall, the grant activities have led to a 34 percent increase in the number of Hispanic students graduating with an associate's degree or certificate within a four-year period. Targeting younger students, CHC developed a number of outreach events, including a summer camp. STEM Explorer Camp was held last July with 19 students from local high schools. They studied igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks in the lab and while hiking the Crafton Hills. They worked in groups to construct an apparatus that would hold an egg that could sustain a 30-foot drop, built wind turbines to generate energy, and concluded the camp by constructing a boat made of cardboard and tape that could hold a person. Teams then paddled their boats across the CHC pool to determine who's was the fastest and most reliable design. The week ended with a family dinner to recognize the students work and dedication to STEM fields. Approximately 55 students and family members attended the closing ceremony. CHC also has a unique partnership with Ontario-Montclair USD, called Promise Scholars. Throughout the year, approximately 700 students from six schools visit CHC, participating in hands-on activities in a variety of STEM programs. Kudos go out to Ernesto Rivera and Patricia Menchaca, who work with the STEM team to offer these amazing opportunities for students interested in STEM careers. STEM Pathways Lead to STEM Career Interest and Higher Success Rates Among Hispanic Students