ACA NSF Scholars: Encouraging the Study of Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics in Central Appalachia

该项目允许阿巴拉契亚学院协会（ACA）向在五个州（肯塔基州、北卡罗来纳州、田纳西州、弗吉尼亚州和西弗吉尼亚州）的阿巴拉契亚地区拥有38,000多名学生的34所小型私立文理学院的非营利组织，向ACA机构中宣布主修计算机科学或计算机信息科学/系统、工程专业的即将升学的三年级学生颁发30份为期两年的奖学金，每年2750美元；或者数学或者数学科学。它在竞争的基础上为奖学金学生提供五个研究/实习机会；并通过与其他奖学金获得者的个人和互联网交流、职业规划培训以及学术、研究和商业导师的支持为所有奖学金获得者提供支持。智力优势：该项目延续并加强了由NSF CSEMS资助的项目（2001-2004），该项目向16所ACA机构的54名不同的学生颁发了一到两年的奖学金。在吸取以往经验教训的基础上，本项目将加强奖学金获得者年会的内容，为入选学者增加有竞争力的研究/实习机会，并在奖学金期间及以后加强学生与导师之间的联系。更广泛的影响：阿巴拉契亚地区的社区具有许多此类少数民族的典型经济特征。这个项目对被选中的学生、他们就读的学校和阿巴拉契亚中部都产生了积极的影响。

This project is allowing the Appalachian College Association (ACA), a non-profit organization of 34 small, private, liberal arts institutions in the Appalachian areas of five states (Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia) with more than 38,000 students, to award 30 two-year scholarships of $2,750 per year to rising juniors at ACA institutions who have declared majors in computer science or computer information science/systems, engineering programs; or mathematics or mathematical science. It offers five research/internship opportunities to scholarship students on a competitive basis; and supports all scholarship recipients through personal and internet communication with other Scholars, training in career planning, and support from academic, research, and business mentors.Intellectual merit: this project continues and enhances a program funded with an NSF CSEMS grant (2001-2004) that awarded one- or two-year scholarships to 54 different students at 16 ACA institutions. Based on what was learned from the previous project, this project is strengthening the content of the annual meetings for scholarship recipients, adding a competitive research/internship opportunity for selected scholars, and providing closer connection between students and faculty mentors throughout the scholarship period and beyond.Broader impact: communities in the Appalachian area have many of the economic characteristics typical of such minorities. This project is having a positive effect on the students selected, the schools they attend, and central Appalachia.