Science Bound, a collaborative partnership between Indianapolis Public Schools and Purdue University, will host a recruitment event on April 5.
The event, open to middle school students and their parents, will be hosted at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The informational session will also feature a keynote address from former NFL athlete and Purdue alum Rosevelt Colvin.
Since its inception, Science Bound, which focuses on mentorship and academic development in the areas of science, engineering, math, and technology (better known as STEM) has experienced success in nurturing students’ progress as they participate in the four-part component-based program beginning in middle school through college enrollment.
Nationally, statistics show there is a great need for STEM graduates in the workforce. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in STEM occupations is expected to expand faster than employment in non-STEM occupations from 2010 to 2020. However, in 2011 only one-third of eighth graders were performing proficiently in math.
It is the goal of those involved in initiatives like Science Bound to positively impact those numbers by spreading awareness. “The real job opportunities are for people who have degrees in STEM majors,” said program advisor Louisa Taylor. “Those are the jobs that our economy really needs in order to grow.”
According to Science Bound’s IPS coordinator Timothy Ricker, there are currently 400 students enrolled in the program and of the 40 who are high school seniors 25 have been accepted to Purdue University and 15 plan to attend other universities on scholarship. “This program does a great job of getting students involved in STEM career opportunities,” said Ricker. Those opportunities include after-school activities, summer camps and internships, and a four-year scholarship to Purdue University for those who maintain grade requirements and are accepted into a STEM focused major.
“This is a team effort and all of these students have the ability as long as they are provided with the support,” said Ricker. “This program is going to provide a support mechanism – strategies to be successful in academics and in life.”
The event theme for the April event “Make Your Life . . . More Than a Dream!” is more than a catchy title; it is a call to action. Taylor stressed the importance of parental involvement in the development of their child’s future. She said the goal of the event is to expose attendees to an opportunity they may not have otherwise known existed.
“I think that the overall objective is to introduce them to what I call the world of real possibilities,” said Taylor. “Dreams are wonderful – but there comes a point where you need to put something into action in order to make a change in your life.”
For more information, visit Purdue.edu/sciencebound.
