The miami science museum proposes to build on its long record of success in broadening participation of underserved youth in the sciences by adapting its high school program to include 7TH and 8TH…

The miami science museum proposes to build on its long record of success in broadening participation of underserved youth in the sciences by adapting its high school program to include 7TH and 8TH grade middle school students. The current program is funded by a combination of federal competitive grant awards and private foundation support. The program mission is to help low-income students recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science; and to encourage them to pursue postsecondary study in science, technology, engineering and math related fields. The museum's core program, upward bound math and science center, has been funded since 1999 by the US department of education. Since its inception, the program has served more than 600 youth in miami-dade county, providing in-depth programming to 75-80 students annually. Currently, 56% of students are black, 40% are hispanic and 5% of students reported being white or identified with more than one race. Additionally, 75% of the students are the first generation in their families to be college bound. Partners include miami-dade county public schools (MDCPS) and the university of miami's rosenstiel school of marine and atmospheric science (RSMAS). Students are offered a variety of opportunities for growth during the academic year and summer. This multi-year program, which takes place over six weeks in the summer and on saturdays during the academic year, is targeted for students in grades 9-12. A key element ofthe model is multi-leveled mentoring, which provides students with the guidance, support, and self-confidence they need to succeed socially, academically and professionally. Mentors are drawn from science and education departments at local colleges and universities, as well as the MDCPS secondary teaching pool, and represent the diversity of the participants. Staff-to-student ratio is 7 to 1. Scientific inquiry is incorporated into all aspects of the program. During the school year, students participate in science saturday academies, which are currently supported by grants from the national science foundation's itest program, toyota foundation and NASA's comprehensive program for science museums and planetariums. Students select from a wide variety of courses in the stem fields, specifically those in the earth space sciences, astronomy and biological sciences. Academic programming is offered for 28 weeks and includes college preparation, science/technology electives, field trips, volunteering events, family seminars, tutoring and homework help, and computer lab access. The saturday academy begins at 10:00 am with a college readiness seminar, followed by an elective class in a stem field from 11:00 am-3:30 PM. From 3:30-6:00 PM, work-study students provide tutoring, counseling and homework help. Special attention is given to the juniors and seniors in preparation for college. During the junior year, students are taken on two regional college tours to present them with a sample ofthe diverse college opportunities available. For six weeks each summer, participants use south florida's coastal marine environment as an outdoor laboratory. Students develop their own research projects, collect data using professional sampling and measuring instruments, and analyze and process the data in the museum's state-of-the-art computer labs. Students are also exposed to a wide range of careers through weekly interaction with professionals in climatology, marine and atmospheric sciences. Two family banquets are held each year to provide parents and families with the chance to see the presentations on the student activities, learn about the college admission process, and meet museum staff.