TRIO Upward Bound Math & Science: Locking In to Education

Take yourself back to your junior or senior year of high school. Even if you didn’t plan to attend a college or university, you undoubtedly knew someone who did. Remember the standardized tests? The deadlines? The stress? The big decisions? For underserved students or those who are the first in their families to go to college, the application process can be daunting.

That’s why TRIO Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) exists. UBMS, one of eight Federal TRIO programs, helps eligible students strengthen their knowledge of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math) and access resources like academic advisors, college prep courses and summer programming. These resources help students apply to, attend and graduate from two- or four-year colleges and universities with STEM-related degrees.

The Nationwide Children’s TRIO UBMS program, now in its ninth year, is unique. It is the only program of its kind operated by a children’s hospital. Like other factors in a child’s life, such as safe housing and good nutrition, higher education is correlated with better health overall. Operating the UBMS program is just one way Nationwide Children’s supports the local community and builds up the next generation.

Micheal Hollins, a rising junior at South High School, is an example of that next generation. He is participating in his second year of the Nationwide Children’s TRIO UBMS program. Although Micheal hasn’t decided exactly what area of STEM he wants to pursue, he does want to earn a four-year degree. With the help of UBMS, he knows he can reach that goal.

During the school year, students go on college visits, prepare for the SAT and ACT and meet with their assigned UBMS mentors during the day. Students can talk about their stress levels and mental health, in addition to their classes and grades. One of Micheal’s mentors is also his track coach and graduated from South High herself. Approachable and understanding, she has helped Micheal deal with sports-related stress. Other mentors helped Micheal develop a healthy sleep schedule, so he’s not tired in class. He also turns to UBMS project director, Maxine Ignacio, MS, when he needs help mediating conflicts within the program. “The people here are so supportive. They’re good mentors – just people you can talk to about anything,” Micheal said. The mentors give suggestions and guidance, but their advice isn’t one-size-fits-all. They allow students to set their own goals and discover how to reach them.

During the summer, UBMS runs a six-week program at Nationwide Children’s main campus. Students are tested at the beginning of the program to assess their math knowledge and needs. Then, for several weeks, students spend about five hours a day receiving instruction in math, science, English, a foreign language and social-emotional learning. At the annual Summer Symposium, they practice public speaking by presenting their summer experience to the group. During the final week, students can attend a weeklong college-going experience, either in-state or out-of-state. During this week, students visit one to two colleges or universities, interact with academic departments and participate in college seminars.

These experiences and the ongoing support of UBMS have made a positive impact on Micheal. “It gives me more dedication. It makes me want to lock in on school. It makes me want to do school stuff outside of school,” he said. When he’s in class, he tells himself, “I can learn this.” He is motivated to excel -- not to impress a mentor or check a box, but because he has personal goals he wants to achieve.

Micheal is looking forward to more UBMS college tours this year. He says he’s a little nervous about his junior year: Kids on TikTok claim it’s the hardest year of high school, and he knows he needs to keep practicing for the SAT and ACT. But if he runs into any problems or starts feeling stressed, he knows he has all the help he needs.

To learn more about TRIO Upward Bound Math & Science program, read about benefits and eligibility on the Nationwide Children’s website or email UBMS@NationwideChildrens.org.

Published August 2026