A Science Posse

New England Journal of Higher Education, The, Summer 2006

Brandeis University chemist Irving Epstein was recently awarded a fouryear, $1 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to encourage more minorities to study science and medicine.

Epstein's plan is based on a successful Posse Foundation program that has been providing groups of inner-city students with full-scholarships to Brandeis, as well as intensive precollege training and continuing support once on campus. But very few of the Posse students go on to study science or medicine, according to Brandeis officials.

Epstein would modify the Posse selection criteria to better identify science aptitude among students and strengthen precollege academic training in science with a two-week science "boot camp" just before college starts. The university has earmarked more than $2 million in scholarships for Epstein's program.

Epstein also plans to spice up dreaded general chemistry courses with more demonstrations, problemsolving, historical anecdotes, films and computer simulations, and fewer lectures, so students will be motivated, rather than turned off, by the introductory experience.