LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc.

The Science Corps program provides middle school students with the opportunity to study diverse fields of science through unique hands on experiences. Program participants meet two hours per week to work on labs and experiments that correlate with a given unit. Together with field trips, the students are able to investigate certain areas of science and enrich their knowledge and love of science. Materials consist of hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences that engage participants and prepare and encourage them to pursue science, engineering, and technology in high school and beyond. The curriculum consists of 25 two-hour sessions. The content units are introduced with a case study and focus on a specific career area covered during the modules. These three modules are: Water Works-The Physical Setting, which focuses on careers related to water—its use, conservation, and quality, and issues that arise when dealing with water; How We Work-The Human Body, which focuses on health-related careers, introducing medical science and technology through real-life stories; and Making It Up-The Designed World, which focuses on materials science and engineering careers, including archaeology, polymer chemistry, and failure analysis. All units include a leader guide, hands-on activities, and suggested field trips and speakers.

This program provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves: high school students from low-income families; high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree; and low-income, first-generation military veterans who are preparing to enter postsecondary education. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.