Mission

This project aims to:

1. provide a platform for middle school aged students from economically disadvantaged and underrepresented populations to develop interests in STEM, health and education careers while participating in various fun, hands-on activities that promote learning
2. provide a supportive environment for youth to showcase their talents as they learn about STEM concepts and careers in health and education
3. aid in the implementation of literacy skill for all participants, including support for students with learning disabilities through the integration of science, mathematics and technology experiences.
4. increase access of information for students, parents, and the community regarding benefits and accessibility of post-secondary education

The academy will serve approximately 60+ middle school students ages 10-14, grades 5th-8/9 grades. The populations of middle school students targeted for this academy are from economically deprived and diverse communities. Some participants may have low literacy rates, perform poorly in science and math and rarely take advanced courses required to attend college.

Other participants of the program may excel in these areas and need additional support to enhance their skills and interests in STEM, health and education careers. Benefits for participants include improved knowledge of these subjects, technology and reading competence, social skills and increased access of information regarding post-secondary education and opportunities offered by UNCW and Watson College of Education.

This program assists in developing community connections in the region and furthers STEM, Health and Teacher Education recruitment initiatives. Students from neighboring county school systems are recruited to participate in this program which was held during the 3rd or 4th week in June, at the campus of the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Our goal is to motivate underrepresented students' interests in learning by allowing them to engage in real-world, hands-on, field experiences. We will also use technologies and books to help enhance students' literacy skills and other math and science learning tools to spark their interests in STEM, Health and Teacher Education.

Participants will engage in approximately 20+ hours of academic enrichment in mathematics, science, and technology. The core curriculum for the program is aligned with the Common Core Standards and Essential Standards (Mathematics & Science).

The Junior Seahawk Academy was founded November, 2005 at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, by College of Education faculty and staff. The Academy is a STEM/ Health/Teacher Education Outreach Program that focuses on strengthening partnerships while promoting innovation and engagement in teaching and learning.  The vision of the academy continues to expand and we have found that it has positively influenced students' interests, attitudes, and achievements in schools. The Junior Seahawk Academy has provided a platform for over 480 middle school aged students to showcase their talents as they learn STEM concepts and careers in STEM, Health and Education.  Serving approximately 30+ middle school  students ages 10-14, grades 5th-8/9 grades, with varied learning abilities, the Junior Seahawk Academy has been able to provide these students exceptional experiences on a college campus and at field sites that help in stimulating their interests in higher education, novel technology, teacher education, health education and other STEM fields.

Background Information

The Junior Seahawk Academy, sponsored by the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Watson College of Education, is an academy that provides a platform for middle school-aged students from the southeastern regions of North Carolina to develop an interest in learning math, science and technology while participating in various fun, hands-on activities that promote learning. Through its effort it also helps in the implementation of literacy support for below-grade-level readers and readers with learning disabilities through the integration of science, mathematics and technology experiences. The Junior Seahawk academy promotes "fun" learning for middle school-aged children as they participate in activities related to these challenging subjects. Benefits for participants include improved knowledge of these subjects, technology and reading competence, social skills and increased access of information regarding post-secondary education and opportunities offered by UNCW and Watson College of Education.

Organization History

The Junior Seahawk Academy began in November, 2005 at the University of North Carolina Wilmington in the Mathematics and Statistics Department spearheaded by Dr. Denise Terry Johnson, Dr. Angelia Reid-Griffin and the late Laverne Whitted. The team wanted to create a platform for students from underrepresented and economically deprived groups to develop an interest in STEM careers as well as develop a positive community connection with students and families in southeastern North Carolina. In September, 2007, Dr. Angelia Reid-Griffin, took on the role as program coordinator and with the support of Dr. Cathy Barlow, brought the Junior Seahawk Academy under the Watson College of Education where it continues to grow and strengthen the ties between the university and its surrounding communities. Junior Seahawk Academy was created as a platform for students from underrepresented and economically deprived groups but is open for all middle school students to participate. It is committed to helping youth develop an interest in STEM careers, as well as to developing positive community connections in southeastern North Carolina.