On Tuesday, July 8 at 10 a.m., the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology will host the SD GEAR UP Honors Program Closing and Graduation Ceremony in the Surbeck Center Ballroom. Governor Rounds is scheduled to attend the ceremony and speak. The six-week program, which began on June 1, has been a summer fixture on the School of Mines campus for the past 16 years. The purpose of the program, previously known as SKILL and NASA Honors, is to prepare American Indian students to be successful in the college setting. The students have a full college experience, living in the residence halls, eating at the Surbeck dining hall and attending classes on campus.
Much of the funding for the program comes from a federal GEAR UP grant through the State of South Dakota Department of Education and it is operated through Oceti Sakowin Education Consortium and 24 partner schools, including American Horse, Batesland, Cheyenne Eagle Butte, Crazy Horse, Crow Creek, Enemy Swim, Little Wound, Loneman, Lower Brule, Marty Indian School, Our Lady of Lourdes, Pine Ridge, Porcupine Day, Rapid City North Middle School, Red Cloud Indian School, Red Shirt, Rocky Ford, Saint Francis Indian School, Takini, Tiospaye Zina, Todd County, Wakpala Smee, Wolf Creek and Wounded Knee.
This year the program has attracted more than 200 students in grades 9-12 and 12 college students. Approximately 85 percent of the students are American Indians, with many of the students as potential first-generation college students. Of those students who graduate from the program, virtually 100 percent also graduate from high school, 85 percent attend college and 7 percent enter the military.
Students must apply to enter the program and are selected based on academic achievement and teacher recommendations. Students represent all nine tribes in South Dakota: Cheyenne River, Crow Creek, Flandreau-Santee, Lower Brule, Oglala, Rosebud, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Standing Rock and Yankton.
The curriculum includes math (algebra, trigonometry, pre-calculus and college algebra), science (physical science, biology, chemistry and physics, including laboratories) and English, computers, and life skills (goal setting, leadership, study skills, personal finance, and college preparation). The curriculum also includes special initiatives including a science fair, Academic Olympics, SEMAA (Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Aerospace Academy) and a daily seminar. The curriculum is further enriched with field trips, recreation and sports, college visitation and cultural activities.
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