The U.S. Department of Education has awarded an Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) grant to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for $1.3 million over the next five years through the hospital’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families initiative to help high school students recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science.
Nationwide Children’s UBMS program aims to increase the number of students who successfully pursue postsecondary education and careers in math and science by serving at least 60 students each year who live within the South and Marion-Franklin High School areas, a majority of whom will be low-income and potentially first-generation college students.
Support for participants during the academic year includes weekly tutoring sessions, college entrance exam preparation, study skill strategies and financial literacy education. Saturday experiential learning will include activities facilitated by Nationwide Children’s researchers and physicians. A summer learning academy will include work-study opportunities at Nationwide Children’s, college-level instruction and elective courses.
“This new program allows us to build upon the work we’re already doing in an important collaboration with Columbus City Schools to provide our youth with world class experiences and opportunities,” said Kelly Kelleher, MD, MPH, director of the Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice and vice president of Health Services Research at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's.
Families from South High School and Marion-Franklin High School neighborhoods interested in participating in the program will hear details for their schools later this year and students will have an opportunity to submit an application at that time.