Grand Rapids Area Pre-College Engineering Program
Bringing Engineering and Education Together

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is GRAPCEP?

The Grand Rapids Area Pre-College Engineering Program (GRAPCEP) is a regional pre-college engineering program intended to meet the need for well-trained engineers and scientists for growing businesses of West Michigan and to increase the number of historically under-represented populations in these career fields. GRAPCEP achieves its mission by forming working partnerships with area schools, businesses and institutions of higher education. Together, these partners work to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics and science in the target schools in order to enable students to develop the mathematical, scientific, and personal skills needed to succeed in engineering careers.

What does GRAPCEP offer students?

The GRAPCEP partners offer students engineering and science career experiences in businesses including company tours with hands-on activities, job shadowing, and work or internship activities. GRAPCEP partners work to ensure that students are academically prepared for college programs in engineering and science by offering classes, workshops, and a week-long Summer Experience. GRAPCEP encourages excellence in mathematics and science by sponsoring and assisting students to compete in regional and national competitions such as science fairs, inventors contests, math challenges and seminars of a competitive nature. The program offers students exposure to computer and other kinds of technology. Finally, GRAPCEP assists students in choosing and entering the best college engineering or science programs to meet their career goals.

How are students chosen for GRAPCEP?

Students apply for GRAPCEP through their schools. Applications and teacher recommendation forms are available in the offices of the target schools. Good candidates for GRAPCEP are students who have good school work habits and grades and who show strong motivation along with creativity, analytical reasoning skills and problem solving abilities. Teacher recommendations, school grades, the application, and an interview are all reviewed by the GRAPCEP staff and teachers in order to select students for the program.

What does GRAPCEP offer teachers?

GRAPCEP offers teachers training classes and workshops to enhance teaching skills, particularly in classroom use of applied mathematics and science, project-based teaching, active learning strategies, and computer technology. GRAPCEP also links teachers to engineers and scientists and to other resources offered by the GRAPCEP business partners. GRAPCEP trains teachers in a curriculum that reflects how businesses use mathematics and science. Together the GRAPCEP staff, teachers, and business partners work to prepare students for the "real world" of business and for the requirements of college engineering and science programs.

Who sponsors GRAPCEP?

GRAPCEP is administered by Davenport University with its multiple locations throughout the state of Michigan. Funding for GRAPCEP services comes from a grant from the Michigan Department of Career Development and from contributions from area businesses. GRAPCEP staff are members of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) and various other professional organizations.