This program was introduced in 1999 by the National Science Foundation. The purpose of this program is to use the knowledge of science and mathematics possessed by graduate students and advanced undergraduate students working toward degrees in science and mathematics to assist with the teaching of these subjects in the grade levels kindergarten through high school. The program at Wayne State University (WSU) is directed toward the middle schools in the Detroit Public School (DPS) System. Participating fellows come from the six departments in the College of Science: Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy.

The WSU Program began January, 2000, and is currently funded through June 2003. During the first year of our program, we concentrated on students in the 6th grade. Now, in the third year, we will be involved with grades 6, 7, and 8. Over the three year period, we have worked with 16 middle schools with approximately 100 teachers of science and math who oversee more than 8,000 students per year. With these large numbers, we hope to have a significant impact on the teaching of math and science in Detroit.