[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 35 (Thursday, March 14, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S2137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HANDS-ON/MINDS-ON TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Sandia 
National Laboratories for its communication coordination of the hands-
on/minds-on technologies [HMTech] program in New Mexico. This program 
enhances the study of science and technology in the African-American 
student population and further encourages these students to enter 
technology related careers. Mr. President, this year the HMTech program 
reached a milestone--its 10th year of operation.
  The HMTech project has touched the lives of more than 1,000 New 
Mexico students. The project began in 1986 as a program to promote 
academic achievement in the African-American student population and 
provide activity based science and engineering activities. HMTech's 
primary goal is to support the development of a scientific and 
technically trained student base with hands-on technology 
opportunities. HMTech's class activities include drafting, ecology, 
health, medicine, physics, computer science, electronics, chemistry, 
math, and communications skills.
  Mr. President, providing a child-centered approach to instruction, 
HMTech is an intensive 6-week evening program offered each fall and 
spring at no charge to students grades 5 through 12. African-American 
instructors, including scientists, engineers, and technicals, staff the 
project, volunteering their expertise and their time to the HMTech 
program for classroom instruction.
  The HMTech also has a very exciting and extensive tutorial program. 
HMTech provides students after school tutorials in math and science, a 
multidisciplinary homework hotline, scholastic aptitude test [SAT] 
tutorials, college preparatory classes, parent involvement workshops, 
and workshops for the instructors and volunteers.
  Mr. President, for its outstanding accomplishments, sincere interest 
in expanding the minds of young people, and its outstanding service to 
New Mexico and our Nation in education and technology, I would like to 
commend those who make the HMTech program a success.

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