Contacts:	Ursula Bowie, 277-1403 Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, 277-5915
June 11, 2002 NATIVE AMERICAN AND HISPANIC TEENS AT UNM TO LEARN ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN TRANSPORATION FIELD It's a bird, it's a plane… for Native American and Hispanic teens attending a four-week residential institute hosted by the University of New Mexico, it's a chance to explore modes of transportation and how they translate into viable careers. The National Summer Transportation Institute is one of 41 nationally funded by the Federal Highway Administration Department and administered through South Carolina State University. The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque is also an institute host. "A diverse group of workers is needed for the transportation industry. The purpose of the institute is to make students aware of opportunities in the field," said Project Director Ursula Bowie, a native of San Juan Pueblo and program manager for the UNM School of Engineering. "And not careers only in engineering. The field encompasses communication, law, biology and more." Each week follows a theme - rail, land, air and water. Students take field trips and hear from local experts. Back at UNM, they are tutored on how to improve SAT and ACT scores and learn other skills that will take them on the higher education road. A sports and recreation component focuses on teamwork. The 15 students visited the Belen freight yards and State Highway Department, test drove a new hybrid Toyota Prius powered by both gasoline and electricity and, in the coming weeks will hear from representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard and get a tour of Cutter Aviation, sponsored by U.S. Customs. Marco Romero of the UNM Minority Engineering, Mathematics and Science Program arranged programming. "The field is a lot bigger and a lot more interesting than it appears," said Felicia Bennett, a junior at Thoreau High School, Thoreau, N.M. A computer class, taught by Lita Beck, a Navajo, and academic coordinator for the institute, is scheduled afternoons. Students are learning how to prepare and deliver power point presentations. They will each present in front of the group June 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Mechanical Engineering (ME), rm. 214. Civil Engineering Professor Walter Gerstle will lead students through the science of bridge building June 12-14 from 1:50 to 3:30 p.m., also in ME, rm. 214. The physics of boat making will also be explored and test floatation will be held at the UNM Duck Pond June 26 from 1:50 to 3:30 p.m. A closing awards banquet attended by families of the students will be held at the UNM Hokona Hall Ballroom Friday, June 28 at 11:30 a.m. ###

The University of New Mexico
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