So, Your Son or Daughter Wants to Apply to the UNO Geoscience Summer Minority Program: A Guide for Parents and Guardians

• What is the program about?

 The Mission of the UNO Geoscience Minority Program is to provide quality classroom and field experience to high school minority students (Native Americans, African Americans, Spanish Speaking Americans, or other underrepresented groups) in order to interest them in a career in  the earth sciences or other sciences.

• Who runs the program?

The program is conducted by the College of Science at the University of New Orleans. It originated in the Geology Department, now the Department of Earth and Environmental Science. It started in 1974 and is entering its 36th year. The program director is Dinah Maygarden of the Earth and Environmental sciences Department. Click here to find out more about the people involved in the program.

• When is it and how long does it last?

Lecture and laboratory sessions will be conducted all day on the UNO campus. The next day we will fly to Salt Lake City, Utah. All dates for the class will be announced in the spring semester of 2010.

• How much will it cost me?

Nothing, there is no cost for the program. The program is paid for by the generosity of our sponsors and our donors. Travel, food, lodging, and supplies are covered on the field portion of the trip. Personal expenses beyond that are the responsibility of the student.

• What do I need to do to help my child apply?

You will need to sign the Parental Consent Form/High School Counselor/Teacher Form that you or your student can print from this website.

• What can I expect my child to get out of the program?

  Each student will get the opportunity to discover the exciting  and challenging questions posed by the earth on which we live. The students will apply the scientific method to several problems they will see in the course of their journey. We try to help each student develop a desire to learn more about earth science and the world around them. For  students who do well and show promise scholarships are available for them to pursue the earth sciences at UNO.

•  How much adult supervision will their be?

There will be 8 to 10 students selected for this trip. There will be 5-6 adults with this students. There is plenty of one on one interaction between students and teachers.

•  How safe will it be?

As with any outdoor activity just as with  as sports or camping there is some risk when students travel or go into the field. The professors and teachers however do their best to minimize risks. We have much experience in the field and with taking students on these type of trips. Activities are planned with safety in mind and students are helped to recognize risks and to stay away from them.

•  What do I need to provide if my child is selected?

Make sure to provide any needed medical history or concerns that your student might have or if the require any regular medication. The Professors and teachers then can monitor your student and guide activities if needed. Provide your student with medical insurance information if your family is covered in case of emergency.

•  Who can I contact if I want more info?

Many schools and science teachers have sent students to this program since it was founded in 1974. Check with your child's school counselor or science teacher. They may be able to answer your questions or concerns. If they can not feel free to contact us.