THE KINKAID SCHOOL
EMSI
Opening doors to higher education
Kinkaid’s EMSI brings engineering, math and science to minority youth
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or the past 38 years, Kinkaid has served the greater Houston community by opening its doors for an intensive summer educational experience for students who do not have such advanced learning opportunities at their high schools.
The Engineering Math and Science Institute (EMSI), began in partnership with the Houston Independent School District, has helped prepare over 2,400 minority students to pursue college or university educations and, in particular, careers in science or engineering. “Beyond this purpose, our hope is that students will be worthy examples of academic ambition and achievement in their HISD schools,” says Christina Kendrick, 2013 EMSI Program Director and an Upper School Mathematics Teacher at Kinkaid. “These students are inspiring, especially the many EMSI graduates who become the first member of their family to continue their education after high school.” The program is open to students from around the city who apply for acceptance the summer before their freshman year. The first three summers of the four-year program offer an intensive study of science, mathematics, computer programming and an introduction to engineering studies in a campus setting. Basic instruction is provided while students develop intellectual curiosity and improve academic skills. Courses during the second and third summers, in particular, are concentrated treatments of more important topics covered in standard high school programs, augmented by special or advanced topics that are new for most students, such as AutoCAD, computer programming and digital electronics.
“Taking basic programming, electricity and electronics classes at EMSI was so incredibly important in preparing me for college,” says Brian Dimas, a senior at the University of Notre Dame and EMSI graduate. “As an electrical engineering major, I did not start programming and making basic circuits until my sophomore year in college. Since I had already done both of those during EMSI, I did not feel overwhelmed.” The EMSI faculty also provides students with SAT preparation during the third summer of the program to help students become more confident about standardized testing. College counseling is given to increase students’ awareness of educational opportunities beyond high school. In 2012 and 2013, Weatherford enhanced the program by hosting interactive learning opportunities for third-year EMSI students, including tours of a functional rig and manufacturing shop, career discussions with young engineers and the launch of the EMSI High-Octane Tech Fest during the summer of 2013 that brought Weatherford engineers to the Kinkaid campus for a day of activities in collaboration with science teachers. “We proudly support the EMSI program and value the opportunity to give students enhanced academic foundations, stronger footing in their future directions and assistance in building their first professional network in the industry,” says Wuen Fung Hor, Weatherford’s Director of Corporate Marketing and Communication.
The new Introduction to Engineering course greatly enhances the students’ understanding of the field of engineering as a profession and allows for much hands-on learning.
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10/2/13 11:39 AM