EFTA01102317.pdf

711.1VerSitTrgirliSlarldS of the Historically Amencan. Uniquely Caribbean. Globally Interactive. Office of the President February 4, 2014 Jeffrey Epstein do Cecile deJongh, Operations Manager Financial Trust Company VIA EMAIL: Dear Mr. Epstein, Thank you very much for meeting with myself and Ms. Jackson to discuss the Unity of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and your desire to become engaged with our institution. We e delighted by your interest and the faculty members of our College of Science & Mathematics are encouraged by your desire to support their efforts to provide quality education for our students. As per your very generous request, we have outlined a the faculty's viWon for dramatically transforming STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education throughout the USVI and creating a community of learners who are excited about the sciences on the elementary, middle, and ultimately, university levels. This contribution has the potential to transform the quality of life in the Virgin Islands, and serve as a model for how an investment in science and math in an underdeveloped communit a transform the economy and social conditions of the region. UVI is seekingto accom the following: Elementary School In grades K-6, UVI will focus on strengthening teacher skills and enriching curriculum and capitalizing upon the natural curiosity inherent in young children. To accomplish this, UVI will: Develop ongoing science and math professional development for teachers and provide in class support from UV1 undergraduates and graduate students, and, Assist with developing science-focused exploration activities to get students interested in the sciences; This phase will impact approximately 800 students and 66 teachers, per year starting in year one. EFTA01102317 University\lrginislands of the Middle & High School To prevent a dramatic fall off in engagement, UVI will create informal science education activities to help promote a better understanding of science and its implications for everyday life. UVI proposes to: - Implement continued training for teachers to enhance math and science instruction including research based activities in the field and in the lab and,curriculum development. These activities would be combined with training science education.majors; Revive UVI's popular Saturday Science Academy to offer science and math tutoring to 60 middle and high school students, one Saturday per month, on each of UV1's campuses, per year; and, bi&N Expand UVI's highly successful BoostinErthe Intellect t)1kTEM te summer residttial program to offer daily course work in the sciences to 60 u nts, each year, on each campus. Activities and projects in this phase will he developed in year one. Onc ully developed, this phase will impact approximately 1,800 students and 30 eachers per ar. University Level To support this pipeline of young scientists, U 11 build ysical and intellectual infrastructure, creatin a hub for STEM education on the St. Thomas campus. The University will: Construct a modernized science facility that will offer space for class rooms, laboratories, appropriately equipped teaching labs as well as laboratories for faculty and student research, and SMART classroom spaces; - Retain talented faculty throughout the College of Science & Mathematics with endowed professorships. Leading faculty members in the fields of Biomedicine, Renewable Energy, and Marine Science will be appointed to UVI; - Offer funds to support new and present faculty in their research projects; An endowment for equipment maintenance, replacement, and upgrades. This would be used for such things as microscopes, hoods, biosafety equipment, computer laptops, spectrometers, analytical balances, centrifuges, and imaging systems; - Launch an annual lecture series featuring renowned scientists to encourage intellectual discourse on important issues in science and mathematics; 2 EFTA01102318 U lliVerSillrgliliSlandS of the Provide three full scholarships each year to students attending the University of the Virgin Islands Medical School We propose to name these scholarships the "Cecile and John deJongh Medical Education Scholarships." Only with your partnership, can we transform STEM education throughautthe Virgin Islands. Through this initiative, these students will learn new skills and feel empowered to pursue careers in the STEM enterprise in larger numbers. For UVI, this initiative will help attract students who might otherwise study elsewhere and position the institution as a model for other Caribbean universities that wish to transform STEM education in their territories. This initiative will also help UVI leverage financial support from sources like the Nattorial Science Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for years to come. We've attached a budget that outlines an investment of $32,000,000 for your perusal.Should you desire additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know. We would be happy to answer your questions. I look forward to meeting and continuing this important conversation very soon. Should the need arise, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 340-693-1001 or Ms. Jackson at 340-693-1041 or [email protected]. t irr We very much appreciate your attention and loo forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas on our ambitions. Cordially, David Hall President cc: Dionne Jackson, Vic , resident for Institutional Advancement Camille McKayle, Provost Sandra Romano, Dean, School of Science & Mathematics 3 EFTA01102319