Valley students participate in ANSEP ‘Middle School Academy’

ANCHORAGE — Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program’s first of four Middle School Academy sessions planned in 2014 drew 54 students from the Mat-Su Borough School District to participate April 5 to 14 on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage.

The Middle School Academy is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics experience for students to learn about opportunities available in these areas.

Students from Academy Charter School, Amazing Grace Academy, Colony Middle School, Houston Middle School, Palmer Jr. Middle School, Teeland Middle School and Wasilla Middle School attended.

Coursework included a computer and bridge build as well as hands-on, in-the-field experiments, among other activities.

Students who successfully complete the academy and are working toward the completion of Algebra 1 will be eligible for future opportunities with ANSEP. More than 80 percent of the academy students successfully complete Algebra 1, compared to the national average of 26 percent.