Dr. Branan, a Marion Center High School graduate who received her Ph.D. from Michigan Technology University in Volcanology, presented a demonstration exercise on “Modeling Deep Water Flow of the Atlantic and Mediterranean” at the October 31, 2009, academy; while Dr. Bencloski, who received his Ph.D. from Penn State University, presented a demonstration exercise titled “Up Close from Space: Using Satellite Images to Understand Earth’s Surface” on November 21, 2009.

These presentations have been instrumental in showing the UBMS participants from local high schools how math and science is applied in everyday life and in different careers that the students may not have been exposed to date.

The UBMS program is actively looking for volunteer presenters from faculty members in any department who can address math- and science-based topics during Spring 2010. If interested, please contact Dr. Calvin Masilela, director of IUP TRiO Programs, at 724-357-3033 or via e-mail at cmasilel@iup.edu.

Held in the Foster Hall Oak Room, UBMS program faculty members met with counselors and teachers from these school districts to discuss ways in which collaboration could facilitate program participants to succeed academically and persist to enroll in postsecondary education. Recommendations included ways to increase communication between the UBMS program and the schools, as well as how to employ strategies for success on Pennsylvania standardized tests. Although the UBMS program faculty makes regular visits to local school districts, an annual luncheon event held on IUP’s campus is planned.

This is great news and a resounding endorsement of the program’s performance since its inception in Spring 2008. The program provides educational and cultural enrichment to fifty participants from Indiana County area high schools, especially Marion Center, Penns Manor, Purchase Line, and United. Kudos to the IUP TRIO programs, the Grants Office, and the Research Institute for a great team effort.

Approximately forty students between ninth and twelfth grades are participating in the Summer Residential Program that will end July 24. The six-week program is packed with enrichment courses in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Writing Skills, and Financial literacy, taught by outstanding area high school teachers and IUP professors. The classroom experience will be complemented by an assortment of science application activities, including a field science course led by Dr. Holly Travis and a half-day CSI workshop at the College Lodge with Mike Baker, Indiana County Coroner. Students will also participate in cultural enrichment activities and social and health awareness workshops that address issues of tolerance, drugs and alcohol, community service, and college visits. The summer program will be capped with an overnight trip to Philadelphia to visit the Franklin National Science Center, Adventure Aquarium, Independence Hall , Chinatown, and Reading market.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the IUP Upward Bound Math and Science program is a federal TRIO program designed to strengthen the math and science skills of low-income and potentially first-generation college students, to develop their abilities to excel in math and science, and encourage them to pursue postsecondary degrees in these fields.