Untitled Document

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE

A s the population of the United States increases the need construct improved highways, interstate systems, transit systems, pipelines, airplanes, traffic signals etc. becomes more imperative. Transporting goods and humans by land, water or air becomes a more challenging component of everyday life. Goods are not only considered items which are consumable but also include items that are non-consumable like natural resources (water and natural gas). As the world becomes more advanced, the need to increase the number of students and professionals in transportation is of high importance.

In an effort to prepare students to become leaders and professionals in the transportation industry, South Carolina State University , the South Carolina Department of Transportation and Development and the South Carolina Division of the Federal Highway Administration in 1993 partnered to begin a transportation pilot program for high school students. The success of the pilot program has contributed to the establishment of over 54 Summer Transportation Institutes at various colleges and universities nationwide. Since 1996, Southern University and A & M College (Southern), one of the oldest African American land grant institutions in America and one of the nations top Historically Black Colleges and Universities graduating African Americans from programs in engineering, technology, computer science and mathematics, has hosted the National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) for rising ninth, tenth and eleventh grade high school students with the purpose of introducing them to the multifaceted transportation industry and motivating them to pursue transportation careers. The program is funded by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through the National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) Resource Center managed by South Carolina State University Transportation Resource Center.

Each year, at least 15 local area high school achievers are invited to participate in the National Summer Transportation Institute at Southern University and A & M College . The institute consists of academic, enhancement, sports and recreational programs. Over the course of the institute, participants are introduced to various disciplines and areas within the transportation through interaction with industry professionals volunteering their time as guest speakers. Participants are enlightened with career highlights, opportunities, words of encouragement and wisdom. Fieldtrips are incorporated into the institute to introduce participants to various areas of transportation included but not limited to the following: Modes of transportation (land, air, water), Highway design, Transportation planning, Traffic signal timing, Transportation logistics, Public transit, Traffic flow, Aircraft performance, Flight instruments, Air navigation, Aircraft, Space, Inter-coastal waterways, Ferries, Towing and tugboat services, Marinas and Safety. Participants are also introduced to the several fundamentals mechanics of physical science and physics. The enhancement program enforces life skills such as time and money management, ACT preparation, self and career development and communication skills. The sports and recreation program fosters team work and the importance of incorporating exercise into daily life activities.

Planning of the NSTI is done by members of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and an Intermodal Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from FHWA, DOTD and various private companies with a focus in transportation. The 2006 Intermodal Advisory Committee consisted of the following individuals: Ms. Marva Jacques, Civil Rights, Louisiana Division, Federal Highway Administration; Mrs. Tanya St . Angelo, Compliance, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development; Mr. Michael Boudreaux, Technology Transfer Engineer, Lousiana Transportation Research Center, Mr. Joseph Caines, ABMB Engineers, Inc.; and Ms. Nicole Harris, Transportation Engineer, Urban Systems, Inc.

2006 NSTI

On Friday, June 30, 2006, 21 high school students from Alabama , Illinois and Louisiana graduated from the National Summer Transportation Institute at Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge , LA which is hosted by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The guest speaker for the closing ceremony was Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Deputy Undersecretary, Mr. Kirt Clement. Mr. Clement expressed the need to be multi-faceted in today's job force. His speech was followed by awards which were given for projects and academics.

For 4-weeks, institute participants interacted with industry professionals, participated in numerous fieldtrips and constructed several engineering related projects including magnetic levitation cars, balsa wood bridges, and a pulse jet water boats. Area business and transportation agencies that contributed to the success of the 2006 institute are the Federal Highway Administration, South Carolina State University Transportation Resource Center, the Louisiana Division of the Federal Highway Administration, the United States Coast Guard 8 th Division, several departments of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development: Materials Testing Laboratory, Traffic Services, Traffic Management, Louisiana Transportation Research Center, ABMB Engineers, Inc., and Urban Systems, Inc. The culminating fieldtrip was a two day trip to the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston , TX .

Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge, LA is one of fifty four minority serving institutions and the only college or university in the state of Louisiana that hosts annually the National Summer Transportation Institute. The Institute is dedicated to meeting the employment challenges that the transportation industry is facing as it moves further into the 21 st century, by exposing high school students to the many career opportunities that exist within the transportation industry. Since the inception of the NSTI at Southern, The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Southern University has introduced over 150 ninth, tenth and eleventh grade students to the various career opportunities in the transportation industry.

To further promote careers in transportation, the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Southern University partnered with CN Railway in 2003 to begin the Southern University Institute for Transportation Studies (SUITS). The SUITS allows interested students the continuity of exposure to transportation research, career opportunities and research experiences from the high school level throughout the undergraduate experience. In addition to the SUITS, the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering also participates in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (Eisenhower Program), funded by the Federal Highway Administration.

2006 National Summer Transportation Institute Slide Show