Overview

The Purdue University Science Bound program mentors 8th through 12th grade students at Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), encouraging them to enroll in classes and pursue careers in science, engineering, technology, and math/science education. Those IPS students who complete the 5-year Science Bound program and gain acceptance to Purdue University in an approved field receive a full-tuition scholarship to Purdue for eight semesters.

Students

Around 50 students from the 24 IPS middle schools are added to Science Bound each year. Criteria for selection is based on national test scores and the students’ potential to succeed in the program.

Mentor Teachers

Twenty-two mentor teachers — one from each of the 24 middle schools and, eventually, the five high schools in the IPS School Corporation — participate in extensive professional development. The program strengthens their teaching methodology and instructs them in cutting-edge technology and curriculum integration of advanced mathematical and scientific content. The mentor teachers are responsible for the implementation of the Science Bound program with students in their respective schools, in addition to their classroom teaching responsibilities.

Advisory Board

An advisory board provides guidance, support, student mentoring, internship opportunities, and leadership in fundraising for this project.

After-School Activities

The teacher-mentor in the respective building facilitates bi-monthly after-school programs for the Science Bound students. The goal of the after-school mentoring program is to:

• excite and educate students about science, mathematics, engineering, and technology careers;
• increase students’ math/science content knowledge and problem solving skills;
• provide an avenue allowing students to consider science, engineering, and technology as a way of understanding the world in which they live;
• provide accelerated projects-based learning experiences;
• provide instruction on and experience with research grade instrumentation and participation in research projects;
• prepare Science Bound students for a successful college experience.

Follow-Up Activities

The Science Bound program expands the knowledge and experience of the students beyond the realm of the academic classroom. The follow-up activities introduce Science Bound students to these additional learning experiences:

Purdue University offers Science Bound students many on-campus activities, which also involve their families and mentor teachers. These range from attending campus sporting events to weeklong residential academic summer camps. The purpose of these activities is to familiarize the students and their families with college life and to provide a summertime continuation of the academic after-school program.

Indianapolis business leaders offer internships for Science Bound students who complete three years of the program.

In addition, Purdue coordinates mentoring programs with University students who are majoring in science, engineering, and technology. These student mentors provide academic and social support for the Science Bound students.