UCLA Engineering Launches Free, Immersive High School Math Achievement Program

The UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science announced Tuesday the launch of the Mathematics Achievement Program (MAP), which aims to provide a robust STEM curriculum for students from underserved high schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

Free of charge for admitted students, MAP will also provide complimentary transportation, meals and school supplies for the students who will visit UCLA’s campus on the weekends to engage in advanced math lessons and hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

This program was made possible thanks to the generous and initial support of the Eugene and Marilyn Stein Family Foundation. Eugene Stein ’68 has been a long-standing member of the Dean’s Executive Board at UCLA Samueli. Raytheon Intelligence & Space is MAP’s first corporate sponsor, making a five-year commitment to the program. Other funding came from Amazon and Northrop Grumman Corporation. UCLA Samueli’s Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity is spearheading the program as part of its continued commitment to building a more sustainable, quality STEM program for K-12 students.

“Through MAP, we are proud to bring a rigorous math and engineering program to students who wouldn’t otherwise have access to such opportunities and, in turn, pave the way for a more accessible and inclusive STEM education,” said UCLA Samueli Associate Dean Veronica Santos for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Faculty Affairs.

Working with LAUSD administrators, counselors and teachers, UCLA Samueli formed the inaugural class of nearly 40 ninth and 10th grade students who show an interest in STEM classes but lack the resources needed to further develop their skills for success in higher-level math and science courses. The two cohorts in the pilot program — ninth grade and 10th grade classes, respectively — will meet three Saturdays per month from October through May, with the first class held Oct. 8. Students will attend math classes in the morning and participate in a variety of afternoon programming, which includes hands-on projects led by UCLA Samueli student organizations and faculty, in addition to lab tours, field trips and panel discussions featuring industry collaborators — many of whom are UCLA alumni.

“At UCLA Samueli, we believe that an equitable STEM education builds a foundation for long-term success and an early exposure is critical to ensuring that talented students are prepared for their college careers ahead,” said UCLA Samueli Associate Dean Veronica Santos for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Faculty Affairs. “Through MAP, we are proud to bring a rigorous math and engineering program to students who wouldn’t otherwise have access to such opportunities and, in turn, pave the way for a more accessible and inclusive STEM education.”

MAP aims to help students achieve a mastery level in their current math classes, improve students’ confidence in their skills by working on immersive projects with real-world applications, encourage students to see themselves in a STEM career and provide them with practical tools to be proficient in math and science.

The program is designed to support the selected rising ninth grade students for four continuous academic years, with the first three years focused on building math skills and working on hands-on projects, while the final year is geared toward helping students prepare to apply for college.

“We are grateful for the support of our industry collaborators for this important initiative,” said UCLA Samueli Interim Dean Bruce Dunn. “Working together, we hope that this program will unlock the potential of many bright high school students across Los Angeles who are interested in pursuing a career in engineering or computer science.”