Exploring AP STEM Classes at MSU-Hosted Global Teaching Project Program

STARKVILLE, Miss. — High schools in Mississippi have recently provided their students with their first ever glimpse into Advanced Placement (AP) courses before the start of the fall semester, thanks to an annual program organised by the Global Teaching Project (GTP). The Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory Program took place this month at Mississippi State.

About the Program

In its eighth year, the Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory Program was attended by approximately 100 students from 17 rural public school districts in Mississippi. This five-day event, which forms part of GTP’s AP STEM Access Program, was designed to give students a taste of the concepts found in AP Biology, AP Computer Science, AP Physics, and AP Statistics curricula.

Not only did these students get to study these topics under the guidance of experienced STEM major tutors and esteemed educators from leading national universities around the country, but they also had the chance to experience college life. The program covered all expenses, including housing and meals, and allowed students to attend classes on campus and participate in recreational activities at MSU’s Sanderson Center.

Providing Equitable Education Opportunities

The Global Teaching Project’s mission is to provide equitable educational opportunities, and the Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory Program is an integral part of achieving that objective. MSU Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Jim Dunne, praised the Program, its mission and staff, stating that Mississippi State University, with its unwavering commitment to educational excellence, was honored to facilitate the Program.

Access to Important Information

Beyond the specific curricula, the program also provided students with access to critical information necessary to excel in their post-secondary academic journey. Highlights of the event included a session on financial aid conducted by Danny Thompson of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation’s Get2College program, and a talk on metacognition for academic success by Lisa Urry, a biology professor and renowned author. Also, students received assistance with Common APP, a universal college application platform, from GTP tutors and staff.

Impacting Mississippi Students

The key objective of the Global Teaching Project’s Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory Program is to provide students in rural Mississippi with access to educational opportunities they might not usually have. The fervent dedication of the staff, tutors, educators, and guests towards helping Mississippi students is unmistakable. Furthermore, many students who attended this year’s program are already planning to attend next year’s, which is a clear demonstration of the program’s positive impact.

Mississippi State University, through programs like the Advanced STEM Summer Preparatory, continues to prioritize what truly matters which is equipping students with the tools they need to succeed now and in the future. To learn more about MSU and its programs, visit www.msstate.edu.