Rudy Davis, a graduate of Minor High School and a sophomore at Auburn University, majoring in Biomedical Sciences recently participated in a Capitol Hill briefing focused on how to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. Representatives from three Congressional offices attended the panel, moderated by Gregg Fleisher, National Director of NMSI’s Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program.
Rudy was a high school sophomore when Minor High School became a participant in the APTIP program. Prior to participating in the program, there were few Advanced Placement courses offered at Minor. Because of the expansion of AP courses at his school, Rudy enrolled in three AP courses during his junior year and five AP courses during his senior year. During December of his senior year, after participating in eight Advanced Placement courses, he took the ACT test and scored a 31 (up from a 25 in his sophomore year,) and ranked in the 99 percentile in math and science. Rudy was ultimately offered over two million dollars in college scholarships. Rudy spoke about how APTIP prepared him for college, “This program showed me that I had what it takes to get into college and do well.”
Other panelists discussing effective ways to increase math and science achievement in the United States included Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Lewis, “Joining Forces,” Office of the First Lady; Tommie Sue Anthony, President of Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Math and Science; and Kia Watson, a senior AP student at Richmond County High School in Virginia.
Those attending the session included a representative from Congresswoman Martha Roby’s office, a representative from the office of Congressman Spencer Bachus, Congresswoman Donna Christensen as well as a member of the House of Representative Education and the Workforce Committee.
