Expanded Horizons College Prep Program



The C.A.U.S.E. Project

Information, Essay Question, and Application Checklist

The C.A.U.S.E. Project (College Achievement through Urban Science Exploration) is a program for high school juniors to explore science as a career track in emerging areas such as green technologies, ecology, and environmental studies. It aims to prepare students for the rigors of college and increase their chances for admission to top colleges and universities. Students will participate in field trips to learn about the urban environment in New York City, learn research methods, conduct and present a research project of their own, and attend a 3–week summer residency at Cornell University, earning college credit.

Who can apply? Any student who:

1. Is a high–school junior in the 2011–2012 academic year;

2. Has demonstrated an interest in pursuing a science–related career; and

3. Maintains a cumulative GPA of 80 or above and a Science GPA of 85 or above.

Eligible students must have completed their sophomore year of high school by June 2010 and have the demonstrated academic ability, maturity, and intellectual curiosity necessary to undertake college–level work. Students will be selected based on a personal statement, transcript, and letter of recommendation. Students will be evaluated to assure they can succeed at the academic standards of Cornell University.

The admissions committee that will review all applications is comprised of Henry Street Settlement staff and staff of Cornell University’s School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions. Ten applicants will be accepted. Admission decisions will be made in October 2011.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST: Is your application complete?

|□ Letter of Recommendation. |□ Essay. |

|□ Permission Slip. |□ Copy of High School Transcript. |

The C.A.U.S.E. Project

Permission Slip

A Note to Parents/Guardians: Please review the attached “CAUSE Project Roadmap” with your child before signing below. The program requires an intense commitment of at least 5 hours per week, and all students must be committed to completing and actively participating in ALL program components, including:

Fall 2011: Environmental sessions and field trips, SAT and college prep.

Spring 2012: Research project, community service, summer course prep., SAT and college prep.

Summer 2012: Summer college program: 3 week college course and residency at Cornell (course: “Nature and Culture: History, Philosophy, and the Environment”).

Fall 2011: Present research projects and complete college applications.

I hereby commit to full, enthusiastic participation and attendance in the 2011–2012 Henry Street Settlement/Cornell University Cooperative Extension CAUSE Project and availability for the Cornell summer residency.

______________________________________________________________________________

Student Name

______________________________________________________________________________

Student Signature Date

______________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

The C.A.U.S.E. Project

C.A.U.S.E. Project Field Trip and Emergency Medical Authorization Form

Potential Fall/Spring field Trips include: UNESCO (United Nations), The High Line Park, Cooper Union Green Building, Governors Island (NY Harbor), and more as announced. Parents will receive specific field trip details upon request and may always contact Matthew Phifer’s cell at 917–974–5297.

Information of Student and Parent/Guardian

Student’s Name: _________________________________________ High School: __________________________ Grade: ___

Student’s Address: ______________________________________________ City/Zip: _______________________________

Student’s Home Phone: _________–_________–_____________ Cell Phone: _________–_________–_____________

Student’s Date of Birth: [mm] ____/[dd]____/[yyyy] ________ Student’s Email: ____________________________________

Race/Ethnicity: _________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Name: ___________________________________________ Please Circle: Mother / Father / Guardian

Home Phone: _________–_________–_____________ Work/Cell Phone: _________–_________–_____________

Email: ____________________________________________

Code of Conduct: While on these trips you, the student, are a representation of the Henry Street Settlement and Cornell University Cooperative Extension’s CAUSE Project. You MUST inform your instructor or Matthew Phifer of your whereabouts at ALL times.

Please check here IF your child has sensitivity to  Bee Stings;  Nuts;  Dairy;  Other: ________________

Please check here IF your child has:  Asthma;  Diabetes;  Heart Condition;  Seizure Disorder;  Other Medical Condition: ______________________________________________

Please list all of your child’s required medications: ____________________________________________________

Does your child have health insurance? Y / N. If yes, please attach a copy of the student’s health insurance card.

I, the parent/guardian of the student named above, understand the nature of the trips being planned and hereby grant permission for my child to participate. I understand that adequate and appropriate supervision will be provided. I recognize, however, that unanticipated situations and problems can arise on any trip which situations or problems are not reasonably within the control of the supervising staff person. I further agree to release and hold harmless the Henry Street Settlement, their agents, officers, employees, and volunteers, from any and all liability, claims, suits, demands, judgments, costs, interest and expense (including attorneys’ fees and costs) arising from such activities, including any accident or injury to the student and the costs of medical services.

Both my child and I have read the aforementioned code of conduct and agree to its terms.

In the event of an injury requiring medical attention, I herby grant permission to the supervising chaperone or staff to attend to my child. If the injury warrants further medical attention, I expect every effort will be made to contact me to receive my specific authorization before action is taken. If efforts to contact me are unsuccessful, I grant permission for necessary medical treatment to be given.

_______________________________________ ______________________________________ _______

Parent/Guardian Name (print) Parent/Guardian Signature Date

The C.A.U.S.E. Project

Letter of Recommendation Form

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

| |

-----------------------

Plan

|Winter (Oct 2011 – Jan 2012) |

|Environmental sessions, field trips, SAT Prep. |

|Spring (Feb – May 2012) |

|Research projects, community service, summer |

|course prep, environmental sessions, field trips,|

|SAT and college prep. |

|Summer (June – July 2012) |

|Summer college program: 3-week college course and|

|residency at Cornell University (course: “Nature |

|and Culture: History, Philosophy, and the |

|Environment”) |

|Fall (Aug – Sep 2012) |

|Present research projects and complete college |

|applications. |

Description

|The C.A.U.S.E. Project (College Achievement |

|through Urban Science Exploration) is a program |

|for high school juniors to explore science as a |

|career track in emerging areas such as green |

|technologies, ecology, and environmental studies.|

|It aims to prepare students for the rigors of |

|college and increase their chances for admission |

|to top colleges and universities. Students will |

|participate in field trips to learn about the |

|urban environment in New York City, learn |

|research methods, conduct and present a research |

|project of their own, and attend a 3-week summer |

|residency at Cornell University, earning college |

|credit. |

| |

|Website: |

| |

Themes

|Environmental Science: Ecosystems, |

|social-ecological systems, ecosystem services, |

|ecological footprint, environmental problems and|

|solutions, community-based ecosystem management,|

|green infrastructure and green buildings, |

|sustainable cities. |

|Urban Environment in NYC: Local environmental |

|issues and solutions, energy and material |

|cycles, food sources and quality, combined sewer|

|overflow, Million Trees NYC, community gardens, |

|green infrastructure: green roofs, solar panels,|

|rain gardens, energy saving features, |

|transportation. |

|Research Skills: (1) Data collection: surveys, |

|mapping, observations, photography, interviews, |

|environmental quality monitoring. (2) Data |

|analysis: statistics, interpretation. (3) |

|Presentation of research results: diagrams, |

|graphs, reports and maps. |

|General Learning Skills: Critical thinking, |

|writing short essays, decision-making, and |

|teamwork. |

Resources

|Trips |

|UNESCO, United Nations |

|The High Line park |

|Cooper Union green building |

|Governors Island, NY Harbor |

|Cornell University, Ithaca NY |

| |

|Summer College |

|Learn about the Summer College at Cornell |

|University: |

|, which you will |

|experience next summer. Watch “New Students” |

|videos () |

|and to show this website to your parents. |

| |

|Websites |

|Tree Benefits Calculator |

|Ecological Footprint |

|Cornell Summer College sce.cornell.edu/sc |

|GapMinder World graphs |

|MillionTreesNYC |

Essay Question. (Please attach essay.)

In a clear and concise statement of 150–200 words, please describe your interest in pursuing a science–related career, and why you think you are a good fit for the C.A.U.S.E. Project. Take care to describe your commitment to completing an independent research project, and your ability to commit at least five hours per week to the C.A.U.S.E. Project.

|The CAUSE Project Roadmap |[pic] |[pic] |

|College Achievement through Urban Science Exploration | | |

|Update: 09/07/2011 | | |

|Instructors |

|Please feel free to ask your instructor any |

|questions at any time: |

|TBA |

|Matthew Phifer, Director of Adolescent |

|Educational Services, Henry Street Settlement, |

|phh½fšB*[pic]CJPJaJphhø'àB*[pic]CJPJaJph!hN`hø'àB|

|*[pic]CJPJaJph$hN`hø'àB*[pic]CJPJ\?aJphh}!Èh}!ÈCJ|

|PJ^J[?]aJh½fšh½fš6?CJPJ^J[?]aJh½fš6?CJPJ^J[?]aJh}|

|!Èhø'àCJPJ^J[?]mphifer@" |

|mphifer@ |

|(212) 254-3100 ext 234 |

|(917) 974-5297 |

Sessions Winter 2011/2012

|Themes |

|Introduction (10/17, 10/20) |

|Environmental Issues and Food |

|Ecosystem Services |

|Environmental Career and HSS Alumni |

|Green Building Field Trip |

|Ecological Footprint |

|Critical Thinking |

|Research Methods |

|Data Analysis and Presentation |

|Selecting Research Projects |

| |

|Journals |

|Please bring your journal to each session and |

|field trip to take notes. Notes should start with|

|the date, time, session theme, location of a |

|field trip, and information about presenters. |

|Write down new terms, important facts, and any |

|information that you would like to learn more |

|about. |

| |

|Movie Library |

|An Inconvenient Truth (2006) |

|Food, Inc. (2008) |

|Home (2009) Available YouTube |

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download