Virdone and Yip
Connecting Online: UCLA Engineering Launches
Virtual Tutoring Program to Boost Declining Interest in Math,
Science Among High Schoolers
In an effort to boost declining interest in math
and science among U.S. students, UCLA’s Henry Samueli School
of Engineering and Applied Science is launching an innovative
pilot tutoring program called the Engineering and Science Corps.
Unlike conventional tutoring programs, however, this one is entirely
virtual.
“The US is rapidly losing its dominance
in the technology sector. We have a responsibility to do everything
we can to turn this trend around,” said UCLA Engineering
Dean Vijay K. Dhir. “Most students who lose interest in
math and science do so in junior high and high school because
they feel they can’t understand the subject matter or do
the homework. Our online tutoring program is a very effective
way to ensure that interested students are receiving the encouragement
and help they need to maintain their interest in math and science.”
About 20 UCLA Engineering undergraduates volunteered
to spend their time tutoring high school students in courses that
are traditionally seen as precursors to a successful engineering
education: precalculus, algebra, trigonometry, physics, and computer
science. Tutors attend an initial orientation session at UCLA,
and are then matched with a school based on their interests and
the courses being offered. The curriculum and homework assignments
for the class they are tutoring are provided in advance so they
can prepare.
The volunteers each set aside at least two hours
per day, three times a week, to be available via email to answer
questions and coach the high school students. The high school
teacher and UCLA Engineering’s education coordinator monitor
the exchanges, which can also provide instructors with valuable
insight into any problem areas for their class.
In partnership with UCLA Engineering, many of
the high schools also have set up password protected online forums
where students can post questions and have a dialogue with their
classmates as well as the tutors – a kind of online study
group.
“The response has been very good,”
Mayfield High School instructor Jack Blumenthal said. Blumenthal’s
precalculus class received tutoring for the first time last quarter,
and plans to participate this quarter as well. “The kids
have access to tutoring via an active forum, and as an added benefit
they are also starting a dialogue with the UCLA Engineering students,
which helps them to see what they themselves can achieve.”
As far as the “virtual” aspect of
the tutoring program is concerned, Blumenthal admitted, “It’s
not one of the tools that older people would go to, but for kids,
they love it and it’s a great way for them to connect with
the subject.”
UCLA Engineering already is winning allies with
their approach – five area high schools have signed on to
the effort: Mayfield Senior High School, Marlborough High School,
and LAUSD Schools Belmont Learning Center, Southeast High School
in South Gate, and Jordan High School. More schools are expected
to be added.
Volunteer Nicky Virdone, who attended high school
at Mayfield and is now in her second year at UCLA Engineering,
said she became involved in the program because she “felt
it was a really good way to give back. I love bioengineering,
and I want other students, particularly women, to realize that
this can be a very rewarding career choice for them as well. It
was very important to me to not just give students the answer,
but to just show them how to figure it out for themselves.”
High school student Jeania Ree Moore at Mayfield,
who has worked with Virdone,  said
the experience has been very helpful. “The tutoring Nicky
provided helped me to understand problems, and different ways
to solve problems – unlike the book, which just shows the
answer. I liked the tutoring program a lot and I know the others
students in my class also liked it,” Moore added.
Sixteen-year-old Megan Palos from Mayfield agrees.
“The online application was easy to use, and the tutors
were quick to reply. Sometimes there isn’t time to go over
all of the issues in class, and if there are difficult problems,
you ask your friends, but sometimes they don’t know the
answer either. Having the online tutors to ask was so helpful.
The program has really given me a sense of confidence where math
is concerned. When I understand the subject, I have a greater
interest in it. I’m not sure yet if I want to get an engineering
degree, but I’m definitely considering it. The program was
of great benefit to me.”
Understanding that a strong science and engineering
workforce in the U.S. means better opportunities for everyone
in the field, tutor Jonathan Yip, now in his third year at UCLA
Engineering studying mechanical engineering, says he wanted to
get involved in the program because he wanted to help younger
students. “I remember when I was a high school student and
I needed help, and it was frustrating not to have anyone to ask.
The students I tutor are so excited to have help, it’s a
good feeling to be able to show them how to tackle difficult problems
– to give them the right information so they can do it on
their own.”
The pilot tutoring program, directed initially
by engineering education coordinator Frank Nevarez and more recently,
Jeanine Moreno, started out small with five schools, but so far,
the program estimates it has the potential of reaching more than
400 students this academic year alone, which will last from now
until June in accordance with area school schedules. That figure
will continue to increase as the tutoring program grows, and a
number of other schools already have expressed interest in joining.
Said Moreno, “It’s our hope that this
program will provide opportunities for high school students across
the Southland, and eventually, if it continues to be successful,
that it can serve as a model program for universities and colleges
across the nation.”
For more information, or to become involved in
the program, please contact Jeanine Moreno at 310.825.3008, or
via email at jmoreno@ea.ucla.edu.
###
*Pictured
above: Jeania Ree Moore (seated), Jonthan Yip, Megan Palos, Nicky
Virdone.
Photos: Reed Hutchinson.
-M.Abraham
03.14.07
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