September 18, 2019 | UHCL Staff
The average age of University of Houston-Clear Lake’s student population became a little lower six years ago when the university transitioned from an upper-level university to a four-year university. And starting Friday, Sept. 13, there will be almost 100 even younger faces on campus. UH-Clear Lake and Dickinson Independent School District will kick off its new partnership in which 4th and 5th graders in the district’s Gifted and Talented Program will spend three hours over five visits taking courses in business, science/environmental studies, technology/coding and fine arts.
“We developed a partnership after meeting with Julie Abram, director of advanced academic programs in Dickinson ISD,” said Tonya Jeffery, director of UHCL’s Center for Educational Programs. “This program will be very similar to Clear Creek Independent School District’s Alpha Program, which met here on Fridays for 20 years. The Alpha Program is moving to a new building on the Clear Lake High School campus, so it’s the perfect time for the Dickinson students to come to us.”
“As our district continues to grow, we are constantly seeking ways to provide unique and challenging learning opportunities for our gifted learners,” said Abram. “UHCL is rich with learning resources, and to be able to collaborate on a program that allows our students to explore learning in areas of choice under the supervision of college professors will prove invaluable for each of them.”
Jeffery said the purpose of the program is to provide rigorous project-based learning opportunities taught by content experts. “Each course will have 20-25 students taught by our own faculty or staff. The classes are investigative and challenging and students will produce a culminating product that will be presented in a student showcase at the end,” she said, adding that she was excited to have facilitated a new partnership with a large school district. “It’s always great to bring young kids to our campus and place them in an environment where perhaps some of them will see their future,” she said.
She said she had coordinated the program with the support of College of EducationInterim Dean and Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Joan Pedro.
“This is such a great opportunity for UHCL to begin our partnership with the academic programs in Dickinson ISD,” Pedro said. “We are so excited to build and maintain this relationship because it gives us the opportunity to connect with our community partners, and to give the students in Dickinson a wonderful learning experience.”
“The Alpha program was so wonderful and successful, and I think we will be able to
establish the same success with Dickinson ISD,” Jeffery said.
Read more about UHCL’s Center for Educational Programs online.
