2024 M&SI & First Year Geoscience Majors

September 15, 2024

We hosted 32 incoming freshmen for our annual Math & Science Institute. Incoming freshman are invited to come spend a week on UT’s campus, where they learn the basics of Chemistry, Calculus, and now Physics as of this year. Students are taught by graduate students who have experience being teaching assistants for these often difficult intro-level courses that all STEM majors are required to take. It serves as a way to refresh students’ knowledge on the subjects, get them ready for learning in a college environment, and give them the best shot at succeeding.

The week is more than just a crash course. The Math & Science Institute aims to get students acclimated to life on a college campus, just a few weeks before they begin their experience for real. Participants this year were taken to popular Austin spots, such as Zilker, bat-watching at Congress Bridge, and Peter Pan Mini Golf.

Out of the GeoFORCE class of 2023, 37 students were accepted into UT Austin. Of those students, 7 freshmen are now attending the Jackson School. Their names are: Adrian Saucedo, Ana Deny, Benjamin Blume, Madeline Hefti, Melissa Daurenova, Roxell Bonilla, and Sarah Breunig.

Roxell Bonilla, a general geosciences major, describes her experience to be a “dream” so far.

“Not only have the professors been amazing, but so have the students and staff! I enjoy going to class every time it’s at JGB. Not only do we have more hands-on learning, but we also get more attention from our professors and TAs in our lectures and labs to ensure our success in each class.”

She mentions that the Jackson School was her first choice school thanks to GeoFORCE, because it allowed her to meet professors and find her passion for research in geology.

We at GeoFORCE are so proud of all of our students! We hope everyone has a fantastic fall semester. Be on the lookout for GeoFORCE events happening each month.