Cerritos College Selected for Space Grant Partnership to Enhance STEM Education

NORWALK, Calif., Feb. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cerritos College was selected for the California Space Grant Consortium's Competitive Opportunity for Community College Partnerships Program. The program aims to enhance the STEM preparation at 10 California community colleges and increase graduation rates and greater enrollments in STEM disciplines. Cerritos College is among 10 colleges selected.

Ten students will be selected to learn about circuits and the programming of Arduino (microcomputers). They will design and build an experiment and take data using Arduino sensors. Students will also participate in webinars with NASA researchers. In August, students will create a poster of their research that they will present at a NASA facility, where they will meet NASA researchers and connect with them and take a tour.  The Consortium will also provide funding for Arduino education kits, faculty mentor award, and student scholarships.

Cerritos College was part of the California Space Grant Consortium Microcomputer & Robotics internship that ended in 2016. "This is a fabulous opportunity for students. Many of the students that have participated in the previous grant program have gone on to pursue related fields," said Janet Mclarty-Schroeder, chair of physics and astronomy. "Students in this new program will be able to connect with researchers that can help them move forward in their fields of interest."

"I am very excited Cerritos has received the grant," said Connie Boardman, instructional dean of science, engineering and mathematics. "This grant will allow us to provide hands on experience for students in planning and carrying out research, and programming using the Arduino machines."

California Space Grant Consortium implements NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program in California that provides aerospace-related activities and opportunities to pre-college to university students.

About Cerritos College: Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 23,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at http://www.cerritos.edu/.

View online release here: http://cms.cerritos.edu/releases-2017/02/CaSGC.htm

Media Contact: Aya Abelon, Public Affairs; (562) 653-7878

SOURCE Cerritos College

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http://www.cerritos.edu