Packed with fun, education, and exploration:
This year’s CAUSE program has been prepared to give students optimum exposure to college and career development, teamwork, and scientific exploration. Below is a full description of the program that we will offer under the CAUSE initiative.

Components of the CAUSE Initiative:

CAUSE Launch Party 2004:
The objective of this program is to inform students, teachers, and potential volunteers about the CAUSE program and encourage participation. Scheduled to be held during the first week in November, this program includes a presentation of the CAUSE program and highlights of activities from the previous year. Additionally, mentors and mentees will be matched up in preparation for the mentorship program, and surveys will be distributed to obtain comments, questions, and suggestions on expectations of the program from participants. This event will be designed as a formal gala, with music, light food, and an eye catching display.

High School/College Mentorship:
The CAUSE mentorship initiative is the central program of CAUSE. Its objective is to provide students with guidance in scientific exploration, college preparation, and academic excellence while aiding in developing a big brother/sister for support in college transitioning. High school mentees will be paired with CAUSE volunteers to create a one-to-one relationship. Groupings are aimed towards building relationships that have the potential of developing even after the CAUSE program. The mentorship program serves many purposes and mentors and mentees will have the opportunity to interact on several occasions within the CAUSE initiative, which will run through the months of January to March.

Through the mentorship program, students will be guided through the process of preparing a college level research presentation that will be presented at the Annual CAUSE Science Exploration Symposium & Awards Banquet in April. Mentors will meet with the students to help prepare their projects during the Thursday PCI sessions. If more time to meet is necessary, mentors are encouraged to meet, independently, with mentees at other times. Supplies for assisting students in completing their projects and producing adequate results will be provided through the program.

Integrated with the CAUSE Project Series, mentors and mentees will also be able to interact by participating in CAUSE programs throughout the three month program. Through these activities, video footage will be captured for the “Capture the CAUSE” Apple Video project production that will be debuted at the Awards Banquet.

Thursday PCI Sessions:
In the tradition of the AUC NSBE PCI mentorship and tutoring program, CAUSE mentors will be able to meet with mentees each week during an hour meeting at Frederick Doulas High School to assist in school work, discuss important and personal issues, team build, and socialize. Each week, throughout the three month mentorship program, participants will focus on main subjects. Focus subjects includes: science project development (from exploration to PowerPoint presentation), college and major selection, career pathways, time management, community service, conflict resolution, studying techniques, and teamwork. Light “brain” food will be provided during each session.

CAUSE Project Series:
The objective of this program is to expose students to professional, unique, and creative resources for career planning, college preparation, and personal and professional development. This initiative includes seminars with guest speakers, college and corporate tours, workshops, community service initiatives, and social gatherings.

To optimize participation, programs will be held on weekends, on two week intervals, throughout the three month mentorship program (January through March). During programs that require traveling, CAUSE volunteers and mentors will act as chaperones for the students. Activities are designed to be integrated into the High School/College Mentorship program, where mentor/mentees will be able to participate in activities together to further develop relationships. Additionally, footage of programs will be used for the “Capture the CAUSE” Apple Video project.

“Capture the CAUSE” Apply Video Project:
The objective of this project is to produce a creative documentation of the CAUSE program initiative and the development of mentor/mentee relationships through the CAUSE programs. Additionally, this project will offer to CAUSE volunteers an opportunity of using technical and artistic skills to assist in the development of the CAUSE program (the video is anticipated to be used in future program advertising). This video will be in development throughout the three month mentorship program and debuted during the CAUSE Awards Banquet in April.

The video will capture students as they participate in the CAUSE Project Series, meet during the Thursday PCI Sessions, and embark on their scientific exploration projects. To add a personal touch to the project, participants will be periodically interviewed, individually and grouped, (similar to “reality TV” style programs) to comment on their experiences.

Science Exploration Symposium & Awards Banquet:
This is the culminating event of the CAUSE program. The objective of this program is to increase students’ exposure to presenting college scientific research, encourage more intense levels of scientific exploration, and reward participants for their work. The program consists of two sections, a student presentation symposium and a closing ceremony.

The student presentation symposium will be a research presentation competition between the high school students. Students will exhibit their research experiences through a PowerPoint presentation and answer brief questions from the audience and judges. Awards for the presentations will be determined upon the compiled scorings of participating judges and announced during the closing ceremony. Volunteers, parents, teachers, supporters, and public viewers are encouraged to listen in and give support to the students as they conduct their presentations.

While the student presentation symposium is run, a cyber lounge, prepared by Apple, will be available for viewing in another room. Here, viewers will be able to surf the web and explore some of Apple’s newest technologies in a mellow and relaxing environment.
During the closing ceremony, students, volunteers, and supporters will be acknowledged and symposium awards will be distributed. Viewers will also be able to participate in the first showing of the “Capture the CAUSE” Apple Video project production.