USRA ACT Preparatory Course

About the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) STEMaction Center...

Dear HCPSS Parent/Guardian/Student,

The USRA STEMaction Center works to inspire, engage, and develop the next-generation science and technology workforce through K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. The 18,000 square foot facility operates as an innovation hub for STEM programing in the Baltimore-Washington Corridor and as a host location for a number of workshops.

Annually, USRA offers an ACT Preparatory Course to high school juniors attending the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) free of charge. This course is intended to help students raise composite scores on the ACT, and will be conducted in coordination with The Princeton Review. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year, all the ACT Prep course will be offered only virtually.

Selection to this program will be made by USRA, and based on the student's grade point average, and responses to questions pertaining to interest in STEM (reference below); 35 slots are available. Participating students will be required to virtually attend each Saturday session throughout the duration of the course. Please note that the first practice test is scheduled for Thursday, 4/8/21, to avoid any conflicts with Easter and Spring Break. A schedule for each class is detailed directly below:

Mock Test 1: 4/8/21
Class 1: 4/10/21
Class 2: 4/17/21
Class 3: 4/24/21
Class 4: 5/1/21
Class 5: 5/8/21
Class 6: 5/15/21

Mock Test 2: 5/22/21
Class 7: 5/29/21
Class 8: 6/5/21

Students selected to participate in the USRA ACT Preparatory Course will be notified by the USRA Director of Education, Dr. Amanda Hackler. Upon acceptance, the parent/guardian of students selected will need to provide an email confirming participation in this program no later than 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday, March 26, 2021.

Should you have any questions, please feel contact:

Dr. Amanda Hackler
USRA Director of Education
281-486-2133

For more information on USRA and the USRA STEMaction Center, please visit:

https://stemaction.usra.edu

https://www.usra.edu

****THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION IS FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021****

This program is not sponsored nor endorsed by the Howard County Public School System.

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* 1. Name of student applicant:

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* 2. Phone number of parent/guardian:

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* 3. E-mail address of parent/guardian:

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* 4. Grade level of student applicant:

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* 5. High school of student applicant:

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* 6. Grade point average of student applicant (minimum 2.3 GPA required for acceptance):

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* 7. If selected, can you attend all sessions?

Yes

USRA ACT Preparatory Course

About the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) STEMaction Center...

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* 1. Name of student applicant:

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* 2. Phone number of parent/guardian:

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* 3. E-mail address of parent/guardian:

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* 4. Grade level of student applicant:

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* 5. High school of student applicant:

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* 6. Grade point average of student applicant (minimum 2.3 GPA required for acceptance):

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* 7. If selected, can you attend all sessions?

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* 8. Please explain your interest in pursuing a college degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field.

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* 9. Why does STEM interest you?

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* 10. Why is the STEM workforce important to the vitality of the United States?

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* 11. How do you plan to contribute to STEM fields in the future?