26 Rising Seniors to Take Part in GEAR UP Kentucky Summer Academy
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 8, 2017) — On Sunday June 11, 2017, 26 rising seniors will descend upon University of Kentucky’s campus for the fourth GEAR UP Kentucky Summer Academy at UK. In partnership with the Council on Postsecondary Education’s GEAR UP Kentucky grant, UK is one of six campuses across the Commonwealth hosting a summer academy this year. The program is administered by the Office of First Generation Initiatives in the Division of Student of Academic Life.
The summer academy is a three-week residential college readiness program in which students will be enrolled as non-degree students in LA 111: Living on the Right Side of the Brain taught by Ryan Hargrove, an associate professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
Students in this course will gain an understanding and awareness of creative strategies that may be used in future problem solving. These strategies will help encourage creative thinking that will lead to more innovative and novel solutions.
"This will be the first time I have offered the course in the summer session. It provides an opportunity to structure the experience as a deep dive into the creative problem state," Hargrove said. "Participants will actively contribute to each phase of the process, documenting their journey along the way, enhancing their understanding of the problem at hand, and ultimately discovering themselves."
Students will practice a metacognitive approach by reflecting on their own thinking to enhance self-regulation and ultimately realize creative potential. Academy students will travel to Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; and Nashville, Tennessee, during the program to engage with creative thinkers and understand their own creative process.
“We are very excited to be able to offer college credit to this year’s academy,” said Matthew Deffendall, co-site director. “In addition, we were able to connect with campus partners like the Stuckert Career Center, UK Campus Recreation and the College of Fine Arts to take the students to 'It’s A Grand Night for Singing!' and other events such as the Farmer’s Market in downtown Lexington.”
Academy students will also participate in GEAR UP 101 classes about the college search and application process, FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and choosing a major. The culminating event of the academy will be the final showcase on Friday, June 30, at Kroger Field.