A summer fixture on the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology campus, the SD GEAR UP Honors Program, is back for the 17th consecutive year.
The purpose of this program, previously known as SKILL and NASA Honors, is to prepare American Indian students to be successful in the college setting. This is a six-week residential program that will begin June 6 and will end July 14. Because of construction, the students will live in the residence halls at National American University and also eat breakfast and dinner there. The students will eat lunch and attend classes on the School of Mines campus.
Much of the funding for the program comes from a federal GEAR UP grant through the State of South Dakota Department of Education Office of Indian Education. SD GEAR UP is operated in collaboration with the Oceti Sakowin Education Consortium and 24 partner middle 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 14 partner high schools have joined the program. These schools are: Little Wound, Pine Ridge, Crazy Horse, Todd County, St. Francis, Rapid City Central, Red Cloud, Takini, Cheyenne Eagle Butte, Tiospa Zina, Lower Brule, Crow Creek, Wakpala-Smee, and Marty.
School of Mines alumnus Stacy Phelps, GEAR UP program director, has been involved in this program since its inception and was honored as a School of Mines Outstanding Recent Graduate in 2003. This year the program has attracted more than 220 students in grades 9-12 and several college students. Nearly two-thirds of the students are female, and 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, 87 percent attend college and 9 percent enter the military. A middle school component will have students in grades 6-8, along with their parents, visit for a few days to tour campus and learn about the programs available.
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.
