CUMBERLAND — Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College (SKCTC) held its Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) summer program on the Cumberland Campus for five weeks this summer. Thirty-five local high school students lodged at the Benham School House Inn and participated in day-long classes in math, science, foreign language—including Greek and Latin, environmental science and American sign language. Several “bridge” students—recent high school graduates—took college classes, as well.

Participants traditionally visit a regional college or university campus, and this year they visited Alice Lloyd College, where they toured the campus and met with advisors. According to Program Coordinator Amanda Creech, “Our mission is to help low income and first-generation-to-college high school students recognize and develop their potential to excel in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).”

In addition to the summer program, UBMS provides year-round counseling, advisement, academic support services, exposure to research and college application assistance.

Thankfully, the summer program was not all work and no play. During their leisure time, students played board games, tennis and volleyball, watched movies, went bowling and rock climbing and enjoyed a day at the water park in Barbourville.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the program was the four-day cultural enrichment trip to Chicago. Students visited the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), cruised the Chicago River, toured the Shedd Aquarium, saw the “Bean” at Millennium Park, and visited several museums, including Adler Planetarium and the Museum of Science and Industry. They finished their trip with a firework display on Navy Pier.

Says Creech, “UBMS had a fantastic summer, and we are ready to start another amazing year with our participants!”

Bell or Harlan County students with an interest in STEM should contact the program office at 606-589-3115 or visit the website at www.ubms-southeast.com.