Online Handbook
ONLINE STUDENT HANDBOOK
A summer program that propels learning and expands horizons
Connecting students worldwide through engaging summer programs
Summer Accelerator Online is a summer learning opportunity students can do from anywhere. This handbook is your guide for what to expect, policies, and procedures.
Email summer@ncssm.edu with any questions.
Click here for the residential handbook.
Accelerator Mission
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is the nation’s first publicly funded residential school to offer a specialized curriculum in science and mathematics. On the Durham campus, NCSSM educates academically and intellectually gifted high school juniors and seniors from across the state. The school serves hundreds more North Carolina students through online courses and interactive videoconferencing courses.
The goal of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Summer Accelerator program, consistent with the school’s mission, is to provide rigorous, high-quality programs for academically talented participants from a wide range of backgrounds.
Important Contact Information
Instructors and Staff
Academic Life
Participant Health and Safety
Participant Expectations and Policies
Contact Information
Alicia Stokley, Director of Summer and Extended Programs, Durham.
Blake Reed, Assistant Director of Summer and Extended Programs, Durham.
Taylor Flach, Assistant Director of Summer and Extended Programs, Durham.
Gina Barrier, Director of Summer Programs and Extended Partnership, Morganton.
Josh Blackburn, Assistant Director for Summer and Extended Programs, Morganton.
Susan Gantt, Associate Manager of Summer Programs, Morganton.
The managers can be reached by email at summer@ncssm.edu.
Instructors and Staff
Instructors
Instructors developed the Accelerator courses based on their experience teaching these topics to school participants year-round. Their expertise in the field, combined with their particular experience in instructing young adults is a cornerstone of the Accelerator program.
Student Support Specialist
The Student Support Specialist is responsible for reviewing health forms, supporting families with their preparation for the program, and supporting students’ success and social-emotional wellbeing during the summer.
ITS Support
Information about and instructions for logging into your Canvas account will be emailed to all students the week prior to the course beginning. If you have trouble logging into your NCSSM account or have questions about Canvas, email ithelp@ncssm.edu.
Academic Life
Instructors
Instructors developed the Accelerator courses based on their experience teaching these topics to school participants year-round. Their expertise in the field, combined with their particular experience in instructing young adults is a cornerstone of the Accelerator program. Instructors may be in communication with participants up to two weeks before the start of their course with instructions on what to expect.
Coursework
The first week(s) of each course takes place asynchronously and consist of about 7 hours of work per week. This includes time for students to introduce themselves and share common interests, and time for readings, discussions, video content, reflection questions, inquiry and/or data collection. During the last week of each course, students will interact with their instructor and other students via video conferencing meetings, and the course will be about 20 hours of work. Students will be communicated about the timing of the synchronous sessions by their instructor in the weeks leading up to the course.
Course instructors will send participants specific instructions by the end of the first day of the online component of the course. In order to prepare, participants should make sure to have computer and internet access for at least 7 hours during each of the weeks of the online course and have the ability to check email for instructions.
Evaluation
Each student will be evaluated at the end of his or her course by the instructor. A course summary, including a pass or fail, will be shared with the student and his or her parent/guardian by the end of the summer by email.
Participant Health and Safety
Protection of Minors
In accordance with the UNC System Protection of Minors Policy and NCSSM policies, all instructors and staff members interacting with students enrolled in the program have undergone background checks and training. All NCSSM employees are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect of a minor. Students are required to agree to a code of conduct before participating in online programs.
Reporting of illegal or inappropriate online behavior: pom@ncssm.edu; Brian Wiggs, NCSSM Security 919-416-2910; NCSSM Security Desk, 919-416-2911; or Any Summer Programs Manager summer@ncssm.edu, 919-416-2608
Participant Expectations and Policies
The NCSSM Summer Accelerator Program has established rules and standards of conduct for all Participants. It is the responsibility of the Participant to review the Program rules and standards of conduct. Dismissed Participants may not be eligible for a refund of any fees or expenses and may not be eligible to transfer scholarship funds to another course.
Expectations of Participant Behavior and Conduct:
- I will be respectful of others. Harassment will not be tolerated. Hazing of any kind is prohibited. Cyberbullying is prohibited.
- The inappropriate use of imaging, screenshots, and digital devices is prohibited.
- I will challenge myself to learn and advocate for my needs, including requesting help or accommodation when I need it.
- I will be an active upstander- do what I can to help others or find help when needed.
- I will follow staff, volunteer, and guest instructions and raise concerns respectfully.
- I will complete assigned individual and group projects on time.
- I will dress appropriately when on video.
- I will participate in the digital environment to the same standard as a physical environment, including participating when called on, listening attentively, and minimizing distractions to others.
- I will report inappropriate or illegal online behavior:
- Brian Wiggs, Director of Campus Safety (Durham), pom@ncssm.edu, 919-416-2910
- Any NCSSM Summer Programs manager, summer@ncssm.edu 919-416-2969
The following may result in being dismissed from the program:
- Bullying, harassing, or using derogatory language towards another person or group of people.
- Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Repeated absences or failure to meet agreed-upon program work requirements.
- Violation of a University code, policy, or regulation.
What are the consequences if I do not meet the expectations of the program?
- Staff will give me a verbal warning regarding behaviors and actions that are not allowed, and in most cases will give me an opportunity to correct the behavior.
- Depending on the behavior, they may also contact my parent/guardian.
- In some cases, staff may require me to sign a corrective action plan in order to stay in the program.
- Some behaviors may result in immediate suspension or termination.
Academic Honesty
Participants are responsible for understanding what style of assignment preparation is acceptable to the instructor, and when and if collaboration is allowed. Participants are expected to act in an ethical and honorable manner at all times. All work turned in by a participant should be the result of his or her own efforts unless otherwise instructed. For essays and research assignments, participants must cite all sources for ideas that are not their own. For a guide to citing sources and avoiding plagiarism, see the NCSSM Writing Program webpage (www.dlt.ncssm.edu/write_prog).
Non-discrimination policy
In administering its affairs, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is committed to equality of opportunity. It is the policy of the school to be fair and impartial in all its relations with its students, participants, employees and applicants for employment and to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, gender identification, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age or honorable service in the armed services of the United States.