Math & Science for Youth
Community Programs
Science QUEST (Queries to Understanding Excellence in Science Teaching)
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education - ALPHA Center
Brief Description
Summer intensive professional development for teaching 4th-8th grade science.
Program Summary
Science QUEST is an intensive summer program for teachers from low-performing, high minority schools who want to rediscover the wonders of science. This Academy fosters an integrated approach to teaching science with emphasis on current science topics. Science QUEST is where teachers create a community of learners and the learning encourages deep thinking, exploration and analysis. Teachers are given a stipend along with a professional library of resource materials to be used in the classroom.
Contact person(s)
Maria Simani
951-827-7932
maria.simani@ucr.edu
California Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative (CMST)
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education - ALPHA CENTER
Brief Description
Scholarship program for UCR students majoring in science, technology, engineering and math education.
Program Summary
California Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative (CMST) is a program that provides UC Riverside STEM majors with an annual paid apprenticeship for teaching highly conceptualized mathematics and science to secondary students in Riverside and San Bernardino County while pursuing a career in teaching. The purpose is three fold: 1) to provide incentives and opportunities for college students to develop themselves as teachers 2) to provide middle and high school students with contemporary ideas and encouragement for continuing to study mathematics and science ultimately preparing them for college entrance and 3) to assist teachers with their mathematics and science instruction.
Contact person(s)
Maria Simani
951-827-7932
maria.simani@ucr.edu
Mary Simons
951-827-7034
maryes@ucr.edu
National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates in Plant Cell Biology
College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences - Botany and Plant Sciences
Brief Description
National undergraduate science research program
Program Summary
The National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates is a 10-week summer residential program. The program offers research experience to students of two- and four-year colleges who have limited opportunity to learn about the excitement and career options available through research in plant cell biology. The project's goal is to get undergraduate students interested in research and ultimately in graduate degrees in the sciences. It includes an introductory one-week workshop, followed by nine weeks working with a faculty mentor on a research project. Students also participate in workshops to enhance learning skills and professional development, and to discuss ethics in science. There is a final poster session with outside evaluators interviewing the students at that time and providing written comments.
Contact person(s)
Patricia Springer
951-827-5785
patricia.springer@ucr.edu
UCR BRITE (Bioengineering Research Institute for Technical Excellence)
Bourns College of Engineering
Brief Description
Research Education for Undergraduates (REU) project site for National Science Foundation (NSF) funded program in BioCellular Engineering and Bioengineering.
Program Summary
UCR Brite provides 10-week summer research fellowships for undergraduates from non-UCR institutions with an emphasis on providing research experience to a diverse and deserving selection of fellows. Many faculty advisors integrate UCR students into UCR Brite activities through additional funding sources. The program engages 16 undergraduate students each year with a research focus in the areas of BioCellular Engineering and Bioengineering. In this REU program, participating students are directly involved in cutting-edge research, while developing the basic skill sets needed to analytically evaluate and disseminate their findings in an accountable and professional manner.
Contact person(s)
Victor G.J. Rodgers
951-827-6241
vrodgers@engr.ucr.edu
Jun Wang
951-827-2708
junwang@engr.ucr.edu
MY BEST @ UCR
Bourns College of Engineering
MY BEST @ UCR provides undergraduate students from 2-year and 4-year institutions with research experiences and mentoring designed to encourage them to complete bachelor's degrees in biology and related fields, and to go on to pursue doctoral degrees. MBU also provides opportunities for undergraduate students majoring in science and engineering to participate in interdisciplinary research, in such areas as biosensor development, bacterial adhesion, microfluidics, transport phenomena, cell signaling, and cell electromechanics. The core elements of this program are:
- Participants are recruited during the spring from UCR and local community colleges.
- Students initiate their research with intense training during the summer.
- Students are provided research assistantships throughout the academic year on a part-time basis. Students will present the results of their research at an annual UCR symposium and the annual Southern California Conference on Undergraduate Research, where they will meet student peers and recruiters from graduate schools.
One of the unique features of the MY BEST @ UCR program is the interdisciplinary approach, combining biological sciences and engineering. Additionally, this program will recruit from a highly diverse student population at UCR and Riverside Community College campuses. The educational and outreach component of this project is to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in biological sciences and engineering. We believe that through undergraduate research training, we can develop highly motivated students who will be well prepared for pursuing graduate education and will lead towards greater diversity and representation in the Nation's science and technology workforce, with highly qualified and experienced individuals.
Contact person(s)
Sharon L. Walker
951-827-6094
swalker@engr.ucr.edu
Jun Wang
951-827-2708
junwang@engr.ucr.edu
FastStart
Division of Biomedical Sciences
Brief Description
FastStart provides a five-week intensive program instruction in Math, Biology and Chemistry, to incoming UCR freshmen, with preference to students with a disadvantaged backgrounds, who aspire to medical and other science-based careers.
Program Summary
FastStart is an intensive five-week learning experience designed for incoming UCR freshmen who aspire to medical and other science based careers. Because the key to success in health science curriculum is directly related to performance in critical gateway classes, Math, Biology, and Chemistry, FastStart helps prepare disadvantaged students with the background and skills necessary to get off to a strong start in their college education. The program's goal is to increase the number of disadvantaged students who pursue such careers and to provide the academic and social support needed to help students persist and succeed in their higher education goals.
Contact person(s)
Faye Dawson Brock
827-4540
faye.dawson@ucre.edu
Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP)
Graduate Division
Brief Description
AGEP seeks to increase the number of underrepresented minority students obtaining graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Program Summary
The objective of the UCR AGEP program is to take full advantage of the shifting demographics of the undergraduate population to significantly increase the participation of under-represented students in the graduate programs in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Activities funded by AGEP include:
- Funding for AGEP Fellows in their first year of graduate study to participate in an 8-week summer research internship program.
- Travel funds to enable several advanced AGEP Fellows to participate in regional or national scholarly meetings or to fund travel to research sites;
- Professional development workshops for all AGEP Fellows
Maria Franco-Aguilar
(951) 827-3680
gdivma@ucr.edu
Mathematics Academy for Teaching Excellence (MATE)
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education - ALPHA Center
Brief Description
Summer intensive mathematics professional development program for 4th grade - community college teachers.
Program Summary
MATE is an intensive summer program for mathematics teachers from low performing, high minority schools, designed to provide participants with contemporary content knowledge, pedagogy for teaching the content, and knowledge of research issues related to improving student achievement and teacher effectiveness. Algebra, geometry and analysis form the core of the program as these topics are a key to higher mathematics, college entrance and workforce readiness. Teachers are given a stipend along with a professional library of resource materials to be used in the implementation of the new ideas.
Contact person(s)
Candy McReynolds
951-827-4899
candym@ucr.edu
Healthy Body Healthy Mind (HBHM)
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education - ALPHA Center
Brief Description
HBHM is a program for middle school students focused on developing a well-rounded individual by balancing the role of health education, fitness, nutrition and positive mental attitude.
Program Summary
HBHM focuses on developing a well-rounded individual by balancing the role of health education, fitness, nutrition and positive mental attitude. Students receive instruction in mathematics as it relates to health, physical education as it relates to a healthy lifestyle, self-motivation and character development. The goal of this project is to stimulate an awareness and exploration of self through engaging and motivational activities, which inform and challenge the body and mind. HBHM is where students develop confidence and a positive mindset for success in life.
Contact person(s)
Candy McReynolds
951-827-4899
candym@ucr.edu
Kim Stotts-Sanchez
951-827-4464
Kimberly.stotts@ucr.edu
Girls Excelling in Mathematics with Success (GEMS)
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education - ALPHA Center
Brief Description
Academies for middle and high school girls focusing on mathematics as it relates to college and to life.
Program Summary
Girls Excelling in Mathematics with Success (GEMS) is a collection of academies for middle and high school girls focusing on mathematics as it relates to college and to life. The purpose is to empower girls with knowledge about mathematics, community service, mentoring and supporting one another. As a result girls are motivated to take more mathematics courses and consider careers that are mathematically based.
Contact person(s)
Mary Simons
951-827-7034
maryes@ucr.edu