The Miami Science Museum Upward Bound Math & Science Program (UBMS) exposes participants, who are low-income, first-generation college-bound students, to academically enriching activities to motivate, excite and promote teamwork, leadership and success.

One of the core components of the program is the sense of unity created between the participants and the mentors. To foster this level of comfort, the students attend an annual field excursion in a national park, where they experience the trip in small teams configured with students who are outside of their typical circle of friends. Additionally, this trip uses outdoor physical activities and mental challenges to improve communication skills, cultivate team building, reduce conflict and inspire creative problem-solving approaches. The trip for the 2010/2011 academic year will be to Hontoon Island State Park in DeLand, Florida on January 21-23, 2011. 35 students and seven adults will be attending.

Through participation in this program, students are preparing themselves for college and becoming more competitive, but they are also building self-efficacy skills, becoming empowered young adults and transferring their leadership skills to the college campuses. Since 1999, on average 95% of Miami Science Museum’s students have graduated from high school, 90% of high school graduates have enrolled in a post secondary institution and 65% have pursued majors in science, technology, engineering and math.

For information on how to support the students who need assistance in covering associated costs for food, travel and supplies, visit CoconutGroveGrapvine.com.