USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Larry Lim
Director, Pre-College Programs
Larry Lim, the Director of Pre-College Programs at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering, has been at USC since 1979. The two most significant programs Lim runs are MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) and Mission Science. Both programs' main mission is to excite young students about science and engineering. Lim also served as director of USC's Minority Engineering Program from 1989-1996. In a related project funded by Hewlett Packard, Lim also worked with all the elementary schools in the USC neighborhood to improve science education using hands-on, "Inquiry-Based" curricula and materials. Lim also coordinates FIRST Robotics, JETS-TEAMS, and teacher professional development programs for k-12 teachers.
Lim has also worked for thirteen years as a physics, chemistry, and mathematics teacher at Belmont and Venice High Schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The USC MESA program provides services to more than 1200 students annually at 24 middle and high schools throughout greater Los Angeles. MESA provides activities and competitions to motivate and prepare students for post-secondary education. More than 90% of USC MESA graduates enroll in college, with more than 60% of those majoring in a math-based field such as engineering, chemistry, and biology.
The USC Mission Science program began in August 1996 with funding from the National Science Foundation. It is currently funded by USC Neighborhood Outreach Grants. Mission Science provides science activities and engineering projects after-school to more than 600 elementary school students at workshops established in seven elementary schools and the Variety Boys and Girls Club in Los Angeles.
Honors - Recipient of Institute for the Advancement of Engineering's Educator Award 2000, USC Good Neighbor Volunteer Award 2002, USC School of Engineering Dean s Award for Staff Achievement 2003, MESA Director of the Year Award in 1987 and 1993, Wilbur Somerton Award 1991.