A group of 41 new freshmen from across Tennessee are participating in the 2011 FirstSTEP Summer Bridge program at MTSU. The students, some of whom are shown in these photos, have reviewed algebra and trigonometry, helping them be more successful in pre-calculus and have had faculty mentoring and heard special speakers like Jennifer Danylo and Travis Tipton, College of Basic and Applied Sciences advisers; biology professor Dr. Ryan Otter, discussing “How to Win at the Game of College”; MTeach master teacher Dr. Mark LaPorte; and Brandon Hanson and Wes Baxter, who made a science presentation.

FirstSTEP is a five-year, $2 million grant funded by the National Science Foundation. It aims to increase retention of first-time, full-time freshmen science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, majors. It is an enrichment program that provides financial and academic support for students majoring in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering technology, geosciences, math and physics and astronomy.

photos submitted