• While we find physics to be a relevant and necessary subject for all potential STEM students, the primary purpose of the course is to give you the opportunity to practice problem-solving, mathematical and scientific reasoning skills, and support-seeking in a real-life college setting, and through which develop the skills and habits of mind necessary for a successful college transition. The course objectives are as follows:

• Understand how to approach a college-level STEM course

• Leverage existing skills and knowledge to understand mathematical and scientific concepts and to develop problem-solving strategies

• Learn and practice productive study techniques for STEM courses

• Practice support-seeking in group and individual settings

• Gain experience working closely with a research advisor and on a research team

• Practice presenting technical information with a team

• Learn how to explore scientific topics independently

• Understand how to access and use digital, campus, and community-based resources

• Build community by connecting with faculty, staff, fellows, and peers

• Gain confidence in academic skills and intellectual contributions

The STEM course is composed of the following six components:

• Lectures are 1.25-hour sessions that focus on one- and two-dimensional motion, Newton’s Laws, and work and energy. These sessions are designed to replicate college-level STEM lectures and are taught by expert faculty at the host institution. 

• Recitation sections or “Section” as they’re informally called, are 1.5-hour sessions led by WSP fellows to learn how to apply the day’s lecture to the daily problem set assignments. These sessions help to build your confidence by reviewing lessons and concepts from the lecture and giving examples of how to solve problems.

• Problem Sets or “PSETS” as they’re informally called, are 2-hour assignment-based work sessions led by WSP fellows. These sessions give you the opportunity to work independently and with peers and fellows to solve assigned problems.

• Research Projects are a group-based learning opportunity to apply scientific concepts learned during the week in a real-life setting. Research Projects include 2-hour sessions led by researchers at the host institution, and culminate in a group presentation on the final day of the boot camp.

• Science Talks/Demonstrations - Four of the boot camp days feature a different talk, demonstration, or tour related in some way to a STEM topic. These 1-hour sessions are led by a member of the faculty/staff at the host institution and provide an opportunity for participants to get outside of the classroom and learn something unique about the host institution.

• College Success Sessions are 1.25-hour discussion-based classes led by WSP fellows. Each session focuses on a different topic related to accessing and succeeding in college.

• Readings from the textbook (see Schedule below for specific reading assignments)

• Daily reflections posted to the online classroom in WSPConnect

• Daily College Success activities posted to the online classroom in WSPConnect

• Daily PSET assignments are posted to the online classroom in WSPConnect

• Research Project tasks, as assigned by the Research Project leader

Important notes on PSET assignments

• There are different levels of PSETs depending on the entering skill level; WSP fellows will determine which level participants should attempt

• The goal of the PSET assignments is to expose you to college-level STEM work. You are not required or even expected to complete all assignments, though you should work hard, do your best, and seek the support you need to ensure you understand how to solve  the assigned problems

• Urone, Paul P. & Hinrichs, Roger. (2022). College Physics 2e. OpenStax.

• Pavel, Ryan & Sanchez, Cassie. (2024). The Warrior-Scholar’s Field Guide.

To view the a sample schedule, please use this link.