Deep South Innovation Project
In Collaboration With:

Innovations in Youth & Education
University of Louisiana Lafayette

Innovations in Deep South Hospitality & Tourism
University of Louisiana Lafayette

Innovations in Community and Regional Affairs
University of New Orleans

Innovations in Biological Sciences
Tulane University

Innovations in Business Affairs
University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Innovations in Humanities
Tulane University

Innovations in Religion and Ethical Affairs
Louisiana State University

Innovations in USA / International Business
University of New Orleans

Innovations: Deep South Culture / Tourism: 2004
University of Alabama

Innovations in Alabama Entrepreneurship: 2004
University of Alabama

Innovations in Youth & Education
University of Louisiana Lafayette

1. The Georgia 'Be Someone' Youth Chess Project

Innovative Idea: The 'Be Someone' project teaches Youth: patience, planning, concentration, and following rules through participation in the game of Chess. Chess serves as an interesting and enjoyable method of combining learning, decision-making and social skills while building self-esteem. Chess also teaches youth that there are consequences for any action and thus Chess helps reinforce personal responsibility.

The Georgia 'Be Someone Youth Chess Project' was conceptually designed by Mr Orrin C. Hudson. Mr. Hudson was the seventh child out of thirteen. He grew up in public housing in Birmingham, Alabama and learned the importance of sharing with others. After graduating from high school, Mr. Hudson worked as an assistant sales manager for Kinney Shoes for six years before becoming an Alabama State Trooper. After six years working as a trooper, he decided to help the community's youth.

Mr Hudson himself competed in a citywide chess tournament as a youth. In one of those matches, he was the lowest seed going into the tournament and no one believed he could succeed, but he triumphed. Therefore, he often quotes: "Everything Is Possible, If You Simply Apply Yourself."

Additional References:
www.besome1.org/index2.htm
www.chesskids.com/
www.professorchess.com/contents_links.htm

Addendum: Another similar Chess Project is The University of Louisiana Math & Chess Tournament. One participating teacher is: Mrs. Wanda Milliman, who encourages students at New Iberia Senior High and Delcambre High School to participate in Chess Tournaments.

"I once taught a 3-year-old how to play," senior Sheena DeRouen said. "When she was 4 or 5, she came to my house. We set up the board, and her mom said, 'you don't know how to play,' and I said, 'yes she does,' and she beat me."

"It's a lot of fun," Rudea said. "It's good to see little kids getting into such a good sport to learn. And they learn a lot faster, too."

Freshman Michelle Trahan says: "It's great because you're really putting them on that path." Chess is pretty much like Math, it help you think and figure out possibilities of making the right decision, either by picking the correct equation to use, etc; however, it also teaches you to think not only mentally but also to think logically.

Additional References:
http://www.kidchess.com/

2. Southeastern Louisiana University & The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Youth Development Program

Innovative idea: This collaborative initiative between Southeastern Louisiana University and Latin American and Caribbean youths promotes emphasis on youth: leadership, entrepreneurial endeavors, technology involvement, and community service.

The project's main objective is to involve low-income youth (ages 14-28 yrs) as active participants and as well as that of their communities. Four project components will be conducted in each of the participating countries (Ecuador, Paraguay, Guatemala, and Trinidad and Tobago) and project activities will be adapted to each country's needs.

The Inter-American Development Bank is the oldest and largest regional multilateral development institution, was established in December of 1959 to help accelerate economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The goal is to strengthen initiatives by and/or for young people in selected countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that help advance their development as individuals, as well as that of their communities.

Their strategies are to strengthen the leadership capacity and professionalism of emerging and practicing youth and youth workers; fund effective youth-led and youth serving programs to strengthen their capacity and expand their reach; and to contribute to the body of knowledge about effective practices and model programs to which children and youth respond.

Some of the activities that IDB Youth Development and Outreach Program, such as Training workshops, Project seed-capital fund, Youth and youth worker exchanges and field visits, and Networking activities.

IDB: Pilot Projects
Paraguay Site
The Centro de Información y Recursos para el Desarrollo (CIRD) of the Comité Paraguay-Kansas (CPK). The CPK is a private, non-profit volunteer-based organization legally constituted in 1974, with the mission of implementing community-based development projects in Paraguay and Kansas. CPK to prevent substance abuse encourage youth development, health, and governmental decentralization.

Ecuador Site
The Fundacion Esquel Ecuador (FEE) is a private, non-profit foundation legally constituted in 1990, whose mission is to promote the economic, social, and educational development of the Ecuadorian poor, foster the conditions.

Guatemala Site
The Asociacion Cristiana de Jovenes de Guatemala (ACJ) is a 46 member, grassroots support organization, which obtained legal status in 1964. ACJ's objective is to work with youth and develop strong community organizations capable of addressing their own socio-economic problems.

Additional References:
http://www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/AnnualReport00/Page26.pdf
http://www.iadb.org/exr/mandates/youth/idbl.htm
http://www.iadb.org/exr/mandates/youth/idbl.htm
http://www.iadb.org/info/bfingles/overview1.htm

3. The USA Judo National Training Facility:
Youth & Character Development Program

Innovative idea: To Highlight the sport of Judo as an avenue for youth to promote academic excellence, self-esteem, charter, tolerance, and respect for others.

The USA Judo National Training Facility partners with The University of Lafayette and middle schools in Lafayette, La. This program was initiated in 1983 by Mrs. Connie Lavergne, 5th degree black belt in Judo. Throughout the years, USA Judo National Training Facility developed one of the largest national judo tournaments, which includes participants from 28 states and 5 countries. Judo helps benefit the children's emotional development while also developing amateur athletes, who are encouraged to perform at their highest potential.

The program is affiliated with The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Kinesiology Department, which provides athletic trainers, access to equipment, and students, who are going into the field of teaching physical education.

One particular innovative judo program is: Blind Judo which teaches Judo to visually impaired individuals. One participant of note is: Scott Moore, who was the first American to win a Gold Medal in the Olympic or Paralympics competition in the history of Judo. He performance at the Paralympics in 1995, he has made a mark for himself, this university, and other blind individuals. This was his first blind judo tournament at the USA Open; his coach at the open was Larry Lee.

Currently, The USA Judo National Training Facility is also assisting another program which assists Orleans Parish middle school children. That program is supported by a benefactor, Mr. Theron Larroquette.

Additional References:
www.louisiana.edu/Academic/Education/JNTF/
http://www.usaba.org/
http://www.youthsports.com/org_directory.htm

4. The 4-H 'Horizon Project' & Juvenile Justice

Innovative idea: The 4-H Horizon Project collaborates with Juvenile Justice to provide their STEP programming for court ordered adolescents and their parents.

New programming for this year includes an 8-week long GREAT program that focuses on examining decision making patterns for adolescent girls who have been court ordered to participate. Programming also emphasizes: health, nutrition, parenting skills, substance abuse, conflict resolution, and the increase of self-esteem. A resource library where participatory agencies are able to come and check out educational materials is also available There are preliminary plans to expand this program to adolescent males. Funding has been provided from: Children's Trust Fund and The Volunteers of America.

Additional References:
http://www.reeusda.gov/4h/cyfar/stst/layarovw.htm
http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/programs/index.asp

Innovations in Deep South Hospitality & Tourism
University of Louisiana Lafayette

The 1999 Top innovations in:
Hospitality and Tourism (Festivals):

Roberts Cove Germanfest: Using the culture of their small community (Roberts Cove, La) to tie into a larger community, those of German heritage throughout America and the rest of the world.

Their festival is held simultaneously with the Octoberfest in Germany. This festival is tucked away in Southwest Louisiana in Roberts Cove, La. The festival celebrates their community's German heritage with food, music, and history. Ten original families fleeing German religious persecution founded the community itself. They became proficient rice farmers and have passed their skills along to their descendants. The festival attracts more than 10, 000 people each year and features a museum of anscetral history in including memorabilia of the past 120 years. Hand-crafted items, German food, folklore, children's crafts, and antique farm equipment are present. The festival uis self-funded and continues to grow. The festival has been featured in German Life magazine.

Selected References:
www.RobertsCoveGermanFest.com
Direct Contacts: Sherry Rimmer, Clara, Habezt, Mrs. Josie Thevis
Brochure Acadian Arts Council
"Roberts Cove, Acadia Parish." (1999) German Life: June/July, 26-27.

Bonne Fete
March 24-26, 2000
Innovative concept: using the larger Franco Fete Celebration of 1999 and its international ties to ensure tourist participation. Bonne Fete created a festival to help celebrate 300 years of Louisiana Heritage. This festival was supported by the state government, the city of Baton Rouge, and the local Baton Rouge community. The event was such a great success that everyone from the governor down to local school children wanted to see it continue, and so it has a "Bonne Fete 301". This year's celebration featured local cuisine from some of Baton Rouge's finest restaurants, a Children's stage on the grounds of the Old State Capitol with games, puppeteers and storytelling. Adults were treated to local musicians and nationally known country, jazz, gospel, zydeco, folks and blues musicians. Tickets for the festival were $25.00 for a three-day pass, children under 12 were free. The 70 acts and five stages gave festival lovers their money's worth.

Selected References:
Direct contact with secretary Stacy Simon
Interntet references: http://www.bonnefete.org
"Bonne Fete 301; Official Program" (2000). The Advocate. March 23 Official Program

Festival International
April 26-30
Innovative concept: using the heritage of the French Language, a strong part of the local culture, to attract tourists from throughout the French speaking world, and synergistic timing to draw some well known performers. The Festival International is always on the first week of the famous Jazz Festival in New Orleans; thereby insuring big name artists will also be available to perform in Lafayette. With fourteen years on international entertainment, this festival still includes one unusual feature; over 1000 volunteers carry out the organizations, day to day activities and sales of festival souvenirs. No other festival this large is still run by volunteers. The festival predominantly features French, although bands for Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Cuba, Brazil, Belgium and Canada as well as local Cajun and Zydeco groups blended the festive sounds of music at this year's events. The art lovers were treated to 13 art galleries featuring many local artists as well as Artwalk! "Marche Des Arts" presented by Quebec's minister des relations internationals. Food was also a big event as the local award-winning chefs demonstrated gourmet cuisine for the festival crowds. The six Scenes included a children's area, "La Place des Enfants" which had its own bandstand, puppeteers, games in French, areas for children's crafts and story telling, both in French and English, run by teachers and their parent volunteers form the local public and private schools. The numerous acts from all over the world and Louisiana were enjoyed by the 100,000 plus spectators, other events were Bilingual poetry night, Creole Storytelling. Step Dance class, movie premiere of "Bonjour, L'Histoire", Bach picnic lunch and French theatre with "Mondes Croises", all for no charge. Special features to help raise money for the Festival included Gala D'Overture, Wine Tasting and a finale jam session with Carlos Santana at the Grant Street Dance Hall.

Selected References:
Direct Contact: Lisa Stafford
Daily Advertiser April 25, 2000
The Times of Acadiana April 26, 2000
Internet Reference : http://www.festivalinternational.com (either English or French)
Festival International de Louisiane Official Program Guide

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Innovations in Community and Regional Affairs
University of New Orleans

Submitted by Patricia Falco, University of New Orleans
Supervisory Faculty Member, Dr. Jane Cromartie

Nominated Innovations:

1. National D-Day Museum, New Orleans, LA

Located in the New Orleans Warehouse Arts District, the National D-Day Museum is the only on of its kind in the United States. The museum will serve to honor the men and women who served in World War II. Featured exhibits and artifacts will tell the story of the United States operations fought by the Navy, Marines, Army, Army Air Forces and the Coast Guard around the world. The 16,000 square foot gallery will be divided into four state-of-the-art interactive exhibits that will include oral histories, artifacts, documents, photographs, hands on activities, and never before seen film footage.

- neworleansonline.com

2. Ochsner Clinic & Hospital Breast Center, Jefferson, Louisiana

The Ochsner Breast Center is the most comprehensive breast care program in the Gulf South. Opening in the Summer of 2001, the center will provide a full range of medical care for the detection and treatment of breast cancer through a multi-disciplinary approach. The patient will be able to see all the physicians involved in her care in a single setting from diagnosis through her follow-up care. The Center will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology that can provide results in seconds instead of days or weeks. Therefore, if an abnormality is detected, the patient can immediately move to the next treatment phase, eliminating what has been documented as the most stressful period in a woman's life.

- ochsner.org
- ochsnerfoundation.org

3. MedMined, Inc., Birmingham, Alabama

Hospital-acquired infections kill about 90,000 people every year in the United States and account for half of all major in-hospital complications. Finding outbreaks and acting on them is the solution to reduce the number of infections, however, finding them is the problem. Founded in 2000, MedMined, Inc. provides unique data technology solutions to the healthcare industry. MedMined's Data Mining Surveillance Service (DMSS) uses artificial intelligence technology and computer-driven techniques to provide hospitals with detailed hospital-wide surveillance to track outbreaks of hospital-acquired infections and important changes in antibiotic resistance patterns. This information enables healthcare facilities to diminish the incidence of these infections.

MedMined's service is currently part of a large surveillance project by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and has also been used successfully within the Veterans Administration and multiple private facilities.

- medmined.com
- MIT Technology Review, March 2000

4. The Virtual Paper Company, Covington, Louisiana

Moving computer reports to CD-ROM has become a cost-effective, convenient solution to the problem of printing, storing, using, and distributing thousands of pages of computer reports, invoices, statements, and other documents. Ed DeVillier and Ron Gitz are the founders of The Virtual Paper Company. Their mission is to get rid of paper clutter associated with businesses by storing documents in searchable databases on CD-Roms or in the VirtualPaper.net web site. Each week they pick up hundreds of paper boxes from businesses, which are scanned and converted into accessible computer databases. The paper files are then returned or shredded and sold to recyclers.

- North Shore Report, May 2001, page 13

5. Don Heumann, Poydras, Louisiana

In an eleven-year study conducted by LSU in the French Quarter of New Orleans and surrounding areas from 1989 through 1999, Formosan termite numbers were found to be increasing dramatically in all years but one. Besides attacking our homes and businesses, Formosan termites also destroy trees. Once established within a building, nests are difficult to destroy and drastic measures must be taken to eliminate them. Over $20,000,000 dollars has been appropriated from 1998 to 2000, to develop new and employ existing tools to fight the Formosan subterranean termite.

Don Heumann, along with LSU scientists, discovered Vetiver grass as a tool for combating Formosan termites. The plant's effect on termites is caused by a compound found in the grass' root oil known as nookatone. The nookatone damages the termites' intestinal tract resulting in starvation. A Texas pharmaceutical company plans to develop the new termite fighting technology using the vetiver root compound. A product utilizing this technology is expected to be in the market in about a year. In the meantime, Heumann plans to begin selling the grass at local nurseries.

- wwl-tv News, May 15, 2001
- agctr.lsu.edu/termites

6. Watch Systems, LLC, Covington, Louisiana

Watch Systems, LLC, develops and manages Internet-based tools which allow law enforcement agencies, local governments and citizens to actively monitor their environments, promoting and maintaining the safety and well being of their communities. The company has recently launched iCrimeWatch Notification Service. ICrime Watch will provide Louisiana residents detailed maps of the locations of registered sex offenders in their area as well as ongoing monitoring and notification for any offenders that move within a mile of their home. This service will combine sophisticated mapping technology with the most updated sex offender databases to provide residents with information about their neighbors who might present an unknown risk. Since Megan's Law was passed five years ago, the general public has had no way to actively keep an eye on sex offenders in their neighborhoods. New technologies like iCrimeWatch will help to realize the promise of Megan's Law by delivering information in an easy to use format.

- PRNewswire, June 13, 2001

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Innovations in Biological Sciences
Tulane University

1. LS-LAMP: The Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation

1.1 Who is the Principal Investigator/Innovator? Jannie Price

1.2 Where (city/ university or organization)? Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana

1.3 Why is this development innovative (or significant)?
The program is aimed at substantially increasing the number and quality of minority students earning baccalaureate degrees in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology areas. Eleven institutions manage a variety of campus-based programs and participate in several statewide and regional projects. Tulane University's primary role in the program is to provide research opportunities to minority students, which will increase their motivation to pursue a graduate education and careers in the science. The Tulane LS-LAMP Summer Research Training Program is a ten-week program emphasizing directed research and training in research methods. Undergraduate students work in their area of interest with leading scientists and researchers in state-of-art facilities. Following the program, students submit a written report and present their project at the LS-LAMP Symposium.

2. New Orleans Center for Science and Math

2.1 Who is the Principal Investigator/Innovator? Kris Pottharst

2.2 Where (city/ university or organization)? New Orleans, Louisiana

2.3 Why is this development innovative (or significant)?
The New Orleans Center for Science and Math is an Orleans Parish Public School open to all interested students in grades 9-12. The program provides students with an opportunity to learn science and math with techniques and equipment used by practicing scientists and mathematicians. Students learn how to ask complex questions and creatively solve real-world problems. The goal is to promote a technologically capable workforce in order to ensure the growth of high tech and health care industries in the city. The school accepts motivated students regardless of previous academic performance.

3. Coastal Roots: Seedling Nursery Program for Wetland Restoration

3.1 Who is the Principal Investigator/Innovator? Pam Blanchard, Dave Bourgeois, and Ed Bush

3.2 Where (city/ university or organization)? Several Junior High and High Schools in South Louisiana

3.3 Why is this development innovative (or significant)?
The primary objective of this project is to educate students about coastal issues including wetland loss, restoration, and conservation. The program teaches students the importance of improving the rapidly eroding coastal habitat in Louisiana and provides students with an opportunity to take part in a comprehensive coastal restoration project. Students construct a nursery on school grounds and conduct an on-going project, which involves growing native Louisiana wetland plants including, southern bald cypress, southern wax myrtle, and black mangrove. At the culmination of the project, students will plant seedlings at various locations in Louisiana.

4. LEAP: Louisiana Engineering Advancement Program Inc.

4.1 Who is the Principal Investigator/Innovator? Vernard Henley

4.2 Where (city/ university or organization)? University of New Orleans College of Engineering, New Orleans, Louisiana

4.3 Why is this development innovative (or significant)?
The objective of this pre-college program is to attract minority students and assist them in preparation for careers in engineering or other mathematic and science-related fields. LEAP has sponsored a wide array of programs and activities educating more than 5000 students interested in attending a university or college. Sample activities include; video-essay contests, science fairs, engineering Olympics, and career days. The LEAP Summer Scholars Program consists of two intensive four-week sessions where students attend classes at the University of New Orleans to improve science, math, computer, vocabulary and oral presentation, and analytical problem solving skills. The program includes field trips, tours of engineering labs, and individual projects. LEAP also awards scholarships to students who have been accepted to an accredited college or university.

5. LaBranche Wetland Watchers Program

5.1 Who is the Principal Investigator/Innovator? Barry Guillot

5.2 Where (city/ university or organization)? Harry Hurst Middle School, Destreham, Louisiana

5.3 Why is this development innovative (or significant)?
The goal of the program is to teach junior high students about wetland restoration through outdoor education projects. The Harry Hurst Middle School was selected as a National Service Leader School in recognition of the LaBranche Wetland Watchers Program. Hurst students have adopted Point Park, providing over 1200 hours of service dedicated to restoring the park so the public can enjoy the wetland area. Students have planted over 600 trees, collected 360 bags of trash, and conducted numerous water quality tests. The 8th graders serve as mentors to 6th graders on service trips and together they held a wetlands festival to teach 5th graders about how everyone can make a difference in improving the environmental conditions of Louisiana. The students are creating a nature trail with the help of parish officials and other partner organizations.

6. L.E.A.N. : Louisiana Environmental Action Network

6.1 Who is the Principal Investigator/Innovator? Mary Lee Orr

6.2 Where (city/ university or organization)? Baton Rouge, Louisiana

6.3 Why is this development innovative (or significant)?
L.E.A.N. is a network of individuals that are dedicated to working with citizens and schools to develop, implement, protect, and enforce legislative and regulatory environmental safeguards. The group is introducing a new program to Louisiana schools called the Healthy School, Healthy Students Project. The goal is to educate pre-college students about the safety needed when handling pesticides and inform students of the programs and laws that Louisiana has with regard to pesticides within and around schools. The after-school program lasts for six weeks with a different subject covered each session. All schools participating in the program will attend a conference in which school projects will be presented.

The Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-LAMP)
Contact: Jannie Price
Telephone: (504) 314-7690
E-Mail: jeprice@tulane.edu
Web: http://www.tulane.edu/~eeob/LAMP/intro.html
Mailing Address: 6823 St. Charles Ave., 213 Dinwiddie Hall, New Orleans, LA 70118

New Orleans Center for Science and Math
Contact: Kris Pottharst
Telephone: (504) 483-4688 Fax: (504) 483-1832
E-Mail: kpottha@wave.tcs.tulane.edu
Web: http://community.nola.com/cc/sciencemath
Mailing Address: 980 Navarre Ave. New Orleans, LA 70124

Coastal Roots: Seedling Nursery Program for Wetland Restoration
Contact: David Burgeois and Pam Blanchard
Telephone: (985) 413-0450 and (225) 578-1558 and Fax: (225) 578-6331
E-mail: dbourg@lsu.edu and PamB@lsu.edu
Web: www.lamer.lsu.edu then click on Coastal Roots
Mailing Address: Pam Blanchard, LA Sea Grant College Program, LSU-Sea Grant Building Room 201, Baton Rouge, LA 70803

1. The Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-LAMP)

The Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LAMP) is a cooperative effort amongst eleven institutions of higher education, which simultaneously promote an increase in the quantity and quality of minority students receiving baccalaureate degrees in fields of science, mathematics, and engineering (SME) at institutions in Louisiana. LAMP enters its sixth year of operation with a five-year funding commitment from the National Science Foundation and the Board of Regents. The statewide goals for this phase of the program are to produce 1,470 minority SME graduates per year by 2005 and to enroll at least 40% of these graduates into SME graduate programs by 2003.

The innovation of the Tulane LAMP Program is a ten-week summer program of faculty-mentored research and graduate school preparation encouraging undergraduate students to pursue higher education and, ultimately, academic careers. Each year 20 students are selected to participate in the program based on aptitude in area of research interest, overall G.P.A., and a statement of interests. During the initial weeks of the program, students receive training in research methods such as the scientific method, library research, computer skill enhancement, and professional ethics. By the third week, students submit a prospectus on their research. This task teaches students to pose an appropriate research question and organize the direction of their project while preparing them for a component of graduate education that will be expected of them in the future. For the remainder of the program, participants conduct research and attend weekly sessions aimed at familiarizing students with graduate education. Participants hear Tulane faculty describe what they look for in graduate students, and listen as minority graduate students describe their academic life. Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in two practice GRE general examinations.

In the closing weeks of the program, students write their research reports and practice communication skills through an oral presentation of their results at a symposium organized like a professional meeting. LAMP participants are encouraged to continue their research during the academic year, and some funding is made available for these endeavors. The Tulane LAMP Program exposes minority undergraduate students to graduate level research in areas of science, mathematics, and engineering. The experience allows students to learn about their personalities, interact with current graduate students, learn the work habits of research faculty, and ultimately prepare for successful entrance and completion of a graduate school program.

2. New Orleans Center for Science and Math Advocates for Science and Mathematics Education Incorporated

The idea for the New Orleans Center for Science and Math began in 1990 when several practicing scientists and mathematicians established a Steering Committee of individuals dedicated to improving the quality of education in Louisiana. The committee established a liaison with the New Orleans Public School district, garnered support from local business, industry and community leaders, studied similar schools throughout the country, and formulated an educational philosophy. In 1993, the Advocates for Science and Mathematics Education Incorporated was created in partnership with the Orleans Parish School Board to sustain the New Orleans Center for Science and Mathematics. Unlike any other public school, a portion of the center's operating budget is provided through private contributions.

Today, more than 300 students from all 28 public high schools in Orleans Parish attend the New Orleans Center for Science and Math. The goals of the center are diverse. Students prepare for college education and advanced training by increasing their skill levels to that of national standards. They develop the desire to utilize scientific methods of reasoning and problem-solving, the ability to work as a team member, and the confidence to enter the workforce as technologically and scientifically literate citizens. The center strives to accept motivated underrepresented minority students with diverse education levels in order to create higher expectations in minority families regarding futures in professions utilizing science and math. The center achieves these goals through a variety of methods, offering scholarships, internships, and participation in projects.

One innovative aspect of the center is the determination of all involved to provide outreach to other public schools in the area. The center has created a summer internship for computer students called the Tech Squad. The students visit public schools to repair and network computers, which provides real world experience to students and has contributed an equivalent to $150,000 of service. The Reach, Teach, and Motivate program gives the center's biology students an opportunity to visit crowed and understaffed Orleans Parish middle schools with high quality dissection labs. All students involved increase their self-esteem as the high school students serve as peer teachers and role models in science to younger students. Each year these high school students visit 1,200 middle schools. The center has also established the MathPOWER Camp, a four-week summer camp for middle school students to help improve their mathematics skills and the Computer Certification Curriculum, the first Microsoft Authorized Academic Training Center in a Louisiana high school.

3. Coastal Roots Seedling Nursery Program for Wetland Restoration

The Coastal Roots program offers junior high and high school students an opportunity to promote coastal stewardship through active involvement in wetland restoration efforts in Louisiana. The program is innovative because it raises student awareness of wetland loss, conservation, and restoration through development and planting of a living erosion control system. Students raising trees from seeds, has been done in the past, but using the activity to focus their attention on the ongoing degradation of Louisiana coastal habitats remains unique. Coastal Roots began with little funding in three Lafourche Parish schools in the fall of 1998. Recent funding from Barataira-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, and Louisiana Sea Grant Program ensures that seventeen schools distributed throughout southern Louisiana will be participating in the program by the fall of 2003.

Schools sign a two-year commitment to the program and begin with the construction of greenhouses. During the two years, students grow native Louisiana wetland plants including, southern bald cypress, southern wax myrtle, black mangrove, and hackberry. They help construct the nursery, learn how to protect seeds from cold temperatures, track germination and growth rates, and ultimately plant seedlings in coastal regions. The program empowers students to participate in activities designed to decrease coastal erosion while educators can use the data collected by students to teach basic concepts of math and science. In the future, the Coastal Roots advisory committee hopes to initiate the project in every coastal parish allowing it to continue on an on-going basis through corporate sponsorship.

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Innovations in Business Affairs
University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The 2001 Top 5 Innovations in:
Business Ideas and Practices.