Gazette Staff Despite the cold temperatures and rising snowfall totals, Merrill Science Bound students recently bundled up to participate in the annual Science Bound Science Fair, sponsored by Iowa State University and held at Weeks Middle School. “Science Bound is Iowa State University’s premier pre-college program to empower Iowa students of color to pursue degrees and careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields” (http://www.sciencebound.iastate.edu/). Designed to engage middle school and high school students throughout Iowa’s schools, the Science Bound program seeks to encourage students to explore fields they may have not considered before, but more importantly promotes the development of community centered around its members, facilitators, and alumni of the program. This community will continue to support and encourage students throughout their entire educational career. Science Bound scholar Maya Ryan states, “Throughout all my memories of Science Bound, I learned that Science Bound is family.” “The National Science Foundation continues to call for an increase in the number of young people from populations that are underrepresented in the sciences who go on to technical careers” (http://www.sciencebound.iastate.edu/). And answer the call, Merrill has! This year, Merrill has a total of seven students participating in the program under the supervision of Ms. Kimi Evans and Mrs. Gabrielle Smithman. Taytum Boens, Alex Douglas Flores, Maawa Ismail, Arianna Jackson, Ke’Ayla Madison, Abdullahi Mohamed, and Maya Ryan are leading the way by fostering positive attitudes towards STEM programs, themselves, and building skills needed to navigate and negotiate a bright future of higher education. For students interested in the program, the selection process begins soon! Scholars are selected at the end of their seventh-grade year. Applicants must meet participation and grade point requirements to remain in the nine-year program. For students who successfully complete the full program and meet admission requirements for Iowa State University to pursue a technical degree, the final reward is the potential of a full tuition scholarship from the university. For those who choose higher learning elsewhere, research indicates that overall, students who participate and complete the program develop positive attitudes toward science and improve academically. Please contact Ms. Evans or Mrs. Smithman for additional information. Comments are closed.
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The Merrill Gazette Staff...
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