Program Name: Proyecto Access
Nominator's Name: Ellen M. O'Connor, Ed.D.
Nominator's Title: Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Nominator's Address: Bayonne Board of Education, Avenue A & 29th Street, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
Nominator's Telephone Number: 201-858-5830
Organization Name: Bayonne Board of Education
Organization Address: Avenue A & 29th Street, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
List of Community Partners: Provident Savings Bank, New Jersey City University
The nominated program focuses on the following grade level or area: Middle/Jr. High School
District: Bayonne School District
County: Hudson
Address: Avenue A & 29th Street, Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
District Superintendent: Patricia L. McGeehan, Ed.D.
District Telephone Number: 201-858-5815
Date of Program Initiation: June 28, 2001

Area 1: Goals:

The Bayonne School District Proyecto Access Program is an academically intense, eight week science, mathematics, and technology summer program for elementary students which takes place at New Jersey City University and was designed by NASA to attract minority and female students to pursue careers in mathematics, science, and technology.

The New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards addressed are: English Composition, NJCCS 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 and CCWRL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Technology - Microsoft Office, NJCCS 8.1 and CCWRL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Technology - Principles of Photography, NJCCS 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and CCWRL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Mathematics - Logic, NJCCS 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.13, 4.16 and CCWRL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; Mathematics - Algebra 1, NJCCS 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and CCWRL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Proyecto Access stresses the development of abstract reasoning, problem solving skills and their application through the study of high school and university level mathematics, computer sciences and engineering, along with numerous applications of technology such as on-line learning, graphing calculators and related educational software. In addition to these academic activities, Proyecto Access students learn to develop their own website, attend career awareness seminars, hands-on training on database, spreadsheet, power point, and work processor software, receive chess instruction and become members of the Proyecto Access Chess Club and play in the program's regular and on-line network tournaments. Other activities include the Proyecto Access musical ensemble, field trips, and physical fitness hours.

The various courses relate to the Core Curriculum Content Standards such as in English Composition, students will improve their reading comprehension and writing skills; Microsoft Office skills in Word, Excel and Power Point for use in a school setting; Principles of Photography as an essential element to stimulate creative thinking and art appreciation; Logic to develop an understanding of reasoning strategies and critical thinking skills.

Area 2: Activities:

The Summer 2003 Proyecto Access Program had 33 student participants. Special activities include a fall session, engineering days, and career and science fairs. The program includes two volunteers who are Proyecto Access graduates who give a total of 100 hours. Teachers are comprised of 5 teachers who are professors and certified teachers within the community. There are also 7 mentors who are matriculated students at New Jersey City University. Parents remain actively involved by becoming guest speakers, chaperones, tutors, and remain constant supporters of their child's academic involvement in Proyecto Access. District administrators, elected officials, and community members regularly visit each summer.

Area 3: Outside Resources:

The Bayonne School District has participated in the Proyecto Access Program since June 2001, and it has had the continuous financial support of Provident Savings Bank; and it is also funded by NASA, and New Jersey City University. The Bayonne School District supports the program by hosting an "Engineering Day" held at a district elementary school during the summer, thus providing the site and lunch for students.

Area 4: Evaluation:

The Graduation Survey indicates highly successful evaluation results, exemplary student attendance rate, and the basis for future acceptance in science and math honors programs. 100% of the students indicated, "The curriculum reinforced my mathematical skills." 96% of the students stated, "The program increased my knowledge of math-based professions." 100% of the participants stated, "Proyecto Access improved my problem-solving skills." 97% indicated, "This program reinforced my desire to study engineering, science, or math." 99% of the students agreed, "I worked to my fullest potential in Proyecto Access." 100% of the students stated, "Proyecto Access helped me to become more organized and responsible academically."

Area 5: Stability:

Students are eligible if they have the interest and potential for careers in mathematics, technology, science, or engineering. Parental permission, a satisfactory grade average in mathematics, a satisfactory required overall grade average, recommendations from two teachers, satisfactory conduct grades, and a well-written essay about the student's desire to participate in the Proyecto Access Program are the requirements for students to participate in the Proyecto Access Program.

One of the goals of Proyecto Access is to introduce young students to university level mathematics, computer science and engineering, and to expose them to career and professions in related fields. This goal is a reflection of NASA's vision into the near future when the need of scientist and engineers will become noticeable. The consortium's goals are very ambitious and require total commitment on the part of the participating institutions. NASA provides the majority of the financial component, NJCU opens its facilities (classrooms, computer labs, library, fitness center) to the young scientists who spend eight weeks in the summer, a number of Saturdays in the fall, and beginning this year, a number of Saturdays in the spring, learning to become scientists.

The impact of this partnership is two-fold: short and long terms. In the short term, Bayonne's participants in Proyecto Access excel in the program and become role models in their own environment at home, school, and community as a whole; the City of Bayonne gains national recognition as a member of Proyecto Access and its students go on to higher education and are extremely successful. The long term impact of this partnership enables Bayonne's participants in Proyecto Access to become part of a highly scientific technical workforce who will replace the scientist and engineers in NASA or become educators in the sciences, mathematics, and computer science.

Area 6: Endorsements:

Dr. Patricia L. McGeehan, Superintendent of Schools, states, "All Proyecto Access students are commended for the hard work, dedication, and tireless effort that they demonstrate each day in the Proyecto Access Program. Students attend class four days a week from 9 to 3 during the summer months, and this indicates that these students have true motivation to expand their learning horizons and demonstrate outstanding dedication."

Dr. Julio C. Guillen, Director of Proyecto Access at New Jersey City University, updates, "Proyecto Access is a consortium where all the components must work efficiently. The Bayonne School District goes beyond that and have played and will continue to play a vital role in the success and expansion of Proyecto Access. Since the inception of Proyecto Access, Bayonne Public Schools have been one of the most responsible, efficient, and loyal administrations to work with. Furthermore, in Bayonne, the partnership model Proyecto Access-NJCU-Schools has been expanded with the incorporation of local businesses which would provide additional support for the program. The Friday activities, Engineering Days, have been enhanced by the presence of members of the Bayonne community who share the commitment of educating the future generations of the country. Other Proyecto Access sites in the United States are looking to replicate this model in their communities."

Catherine M. Laszkow, Vice President and Bayonne Branch Manager of the Provident Savings Bank, states, "Provident Savings Bank has financially supported the Bayonne School District 's participation in the Proyecto Access Program in conjunction with New Jersey City University. I have visited these students frequently each session and I am very impressed by the quality of learning experiences that the students have. Student enthusiasm level and the projects, commitment and conscientiousness of parents, professors, and students are exemplary. We are proud to be part of this wonderful program."