IUP Upward Bound Math and Science News

Upward Bound Holds First Meeting with Indiana County Guidance Counselors

Mrs. Elaine Smith ejacobs — 2009-10-15T14:54:00Z

On September 30, 2009, the Upward Bound Math and Science program held its first meeting with guidance counselors from Indiana County area high schools, including the four schools targeted for program services: MC, PM, PL, and UD.

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.

Upward Bound Math and Science Budget Approved

Mr. Bruce V. Dries bvdries — 2009-07-07T14:54:00Z

The Upward Bound Math and Science Budget in the amount of $250,000 for fiscal year 2009–2010 has been approved by the U.S Department of Education.

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.

Upward Bound Math and Science Summer Residential Program Begins

Dr. Michael J. Powers mpowers — 2009-06-26T14:54:00Z

Sunday, June 14, 2009, was move-in day for the second annual Upward Bound Math and Science Program participants from local area high schools (Indiana, Marion Center, United, Penns Manor, and Purchase Line).

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.