The New Mexico SuperComputing Challenge
http://supercomputingchallenge.org "The Challenge model builds in support through mentoring and has a statewide, mostly volunteer community of students, teachers, mathematicians, scientists, engineers and programmers. The work of the Challenge is a micro world of scientific and programming work. The Challenge offers the kids a community in which the opportunities available are often greater and broader than at their schools. It opens content and mentors to underrepresented minorities (examples range from the girls groups from Santa Fe Institute even the native tribes out Zuni way - all are part of our network). Students also learn not to be intimidated by mentors' intelligence because the community is so giving. This later translates to professors and employers. Their ability to ask for help and to work with a more experienced "in field" mentor can only set them up for success. Challenge goals fit almost verbatim into the Science and Engineering practices for the NextGen Sci Standards." - Celia Einhorn and Patty Meyer
SuperComputing Challenge Kickoff video with Project GUTS (Growing Up Thinking Scientifically)"We like to compare the Challenge to a marathon, not to March madness.We are not looking for 63 losers, but many finishers who have gainedfrom the experience (and want to go on to college)." - David Kratzer, LANL"I learned how important setting goals for myself was, and how through this I could show leadership through how I live my life. I never thought I'd become part of something that would pave a path for me in the future." Kandese Spikes Artesia High at Eastern New Mexico University
Finalist Presentation at the SuperComputing Challenge 2012 - this 40 minute video demonstrates the rigor and creativity of Team 64 (a 2012 finalist)
“Entering the challenge as a freshman and returning with a plaque for our school, gave me a feeling that I had left a legacy; that my team had brought prestige in an area otherwise unrecognized at our school. Creating a project and defending/ presenting it on multiple levels to different groups allowed me to develop leadership skills as well as focus my efforts on scientific ways to one day, hopefully, improve the quality of human life. I am working my way to a BS in Clinical Research from George Washington University. Every skill I learned and developed through the Challenge I still use today, and plan on using throughout the rest of my career. ” – Sonja R., Monte Del Sol Charter School, Santa Fe, 2003-2006
"The Challenge was my first major exposure to working in a Unix computing environment, a skillset that has proved invaluable as I went forward. It also gave me an early exposure to fourier transforms and algorthimic analysis. The Challenge was my first real, in the sense of being like what I have experienced in the "real" world, experience as a team leader. Looking back I did a number of things poorly, but the fact that I was able to lead a team to victory in the challenge helped give me confidence to continue taking leadership roles and building my technical leadership skills."
Tom D., Eldorado HS, ABQ