For those worried about where America’s scientific leaders of the 21^st century will come from, fear not.

As another chapter in the ambitious California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) program at UC Davis closes today, 200 fast-tracked high school students from throughout the state — including Davis High — have provided empirical evidence that all is well for the future of medicine, physics, engineering and other applied sciences.

“COSMOS participation helps a student demonstrate their academic excellence and provides a distinct opportunity to develop integral skills for success in a college-like residential learning community,” longtime DHS math instructor Dan Gonzalez explains.

Gonzalez, in tandem with UCD professor Mohamed Hafez, has worked several summers presenting an introduction to mechanical engineering, one of nine clusters offered locally.

The mission of COSMOS is to motivate the “most creative minds of the new generation of prospective scientists, engineers and mathematicians who will become leaders for California, the nation, the world,” program leader Abigail Thompson, a UCD math professor, says in a written statement.

The four-week program immerses qualified students in their core subject, introduces the teens to a couple of supplemental study areas and provides intense training in science and technical writing.

The students stay in campus dormitories and are provided with a “rich social environment” as well as course-related field trips and the opportunity to get a feel for what their college lives might entail, according to Gonzalez.

Brian Lau, an incoming senior at West Campus High in Sacramento, calls COSMOS a science Top Gun.

“Before coming (here), I was headed to Cal Poly because their course of study is hands-on,” explains the Eagle Scout and tennis whiz. “But I’ve seen here — and know now at UC schools — that there is a balance of theory and the practical, which appeals to me.”

Now Lau, thanks to COSMOS, is considering the University of California, like his brother who attends UCLA.

Hafez says that’s part of the beauty of the summer exploration.

“Science, technical engineering, mathematics… We need more students going through those fields,” the longtime UCD educator says. “COSMOS offers encouragement … gives the students a chance to learn about other disciplines (along) the way.”

Open to prep students from ninth to 12^th grades, COSMOS is dominated by juniors and seniors, according to Gonzalez, who is one of three DHS instructors — along with Jim Johnson and Dave Van Muyden — enlisted as fellows in the program.

“On a typical day, COSMOS students attend special lectures, take courses and/or participate in labs or course-related (excursions),” Gonzalez continues. “Recreation and study groups are built into the evening and weekend schedules.

“Social and cultural events and friendly competitions — like dorm Olympics — have been popular in the past.”

Visits to the Davis Farmers Market, a cruise on the San Francisco Bay and a trip to a water park have all been on the agenda.

But once in the classroom, it’s serious. After all, these select students have a sense about their importance down the line.

“I was civil engineering — like playing with Legos — until I got here,” Lau adds, admitting that aerodynamics and rocketry have seized his attention. The 17-year-old, whose unweighted 4.0 grade-point average tops his West Campus class, says a career in ordnance and national defense are now on the horizon.

As a freshman, Lau set up his own business altering video-game technology.

“It was about Xbox 360 controllers. I’d put a chip into it, which takes a single-shot (weapon) and makes it fully automatic,”says the munitions expert-to-be. “Some see it as cheating…”

The crafty Lau saw it as “enhancement.”

But COSMOS is nurturing students from medicine, structural engineering, physics and courses of study that someday could create abundant, clean alternative fuels, sweeping new medical treatments and  technology that could make today’s mind-numbing gadgets obsolete.

Worried about the future of the world?

Rest easy. You haven’t seen anything yet.

Notes: Clusters at UCD this summer included biotechnology, physics (electro-optics and nuclear technology), engineering mechanics, anatomy of global change, computers in biophysics and robotics, math, chemistry of life and introduction to astrophysics. “I look forward to sharing my COSMOS experience with Davis High students,” Gonzalez says. “I really think this is an amazing and awesome way to spend a summer.” …University of California campuses at San Diego, Irvine and Santa Cruz also host COSMOS programs. …For additional information on the program, visit http://cosmos.ucdavis.edu. …COSMOS is in its 11th year.

cosmos1W

Students in the COSMOS camp at UC Davis listen to a classmate’s power point presentation on rocket propulsion. Wayne Tilcock/Enterprise photo

cosmos2W

Brian Lau, a senior at West Campus High School in Sacramento, explains part of his project on rocket propulsion at the COSMOS camp at UC Davis. Wayne Tilcock/Enterprise photo

Comments

comments