NEW YORK, NY, October 13, 2004 - President Bush has announced that the New York State Education Department's Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering. The STEP program is supported by 47 educational institutions across New York, including Columbia University's School of Dental & Oral Surgery (SDOS), which has supported the program for its 17 years. More than 125,000 students statewide have participated in STEP programs.
The Presidential Awards, which include a $10,000 grant, recognize organizations that support achievement by women, students of color, economically deprived students and physically challenged students in science, engineering and mathematics in elementary, secondary, undergraduate and graduate education.
Each year, approximately 100 middle school and high school students participate in the 10-month Columbia University STEP program, which focuses on academic enrichment in all of the basic sciences and provides them with research exposure, political and health awareness and skills in basic computer operations and concepts.
"A love of science, mathematics and engineering is best fostered at a young age, and Columbia University is pleased to continue supporting the future's leaders in these fields," said Marlene Klyvert, M.S., Ed.D., assistant dean for special projects at Columbia University Medical Center, and currently the senior advisor to the Office of Multicultural Affairs and special lecturer.
The program also includes PSAT and SAT test preparation sessions provided by Kaplan, special presentations from Columbia SDOS faculty and administrators and exposure to various health professionals at Columbia's Career Day and annual Health Fair. The students are mentored by medical and dental students at Columbia University Medical Center.
"New York's STEP Program is an outstanding example of the kind of support that we can provide to help underrepresented groups succeed in these fields," said Ira Lamster, D.D.S., M.M.Sc., dean of the School of Dental & Oral Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center. "We look forward to welcoming these students back in the future as graduate students of Columbia University Medical Center."