Programs

Students participate in hands-on and exploratory science activities, as well as work in research labs. Students participate in both the school year and summer components upon entry to the program until high school graduation. All program services are free and students receive a small stipend for their participation.

Academic Component

September to April: Students are offered tutorial support in their schools and they participate in Saturday sessions on UTC’s campus. UBMS staff work diligently to maintain effective relationships with Brainerd High School and Howard School of Academics & Technology staff members to ensure students receive the support they need. Students also spend Saturday mornings with Hamilton County School Teachers, UTC professors and staff. The academic areas covered include Math, Science, English Composition/English Literature, Computer Science and Academic Counseling/Career Exploration and Research. These classes are designed to supplement high school work and prepare students for post-secondary education.

Summer Component

June and July: The Upward Bound Math Science PRISM program conducts a six-week  residential program. Students stay in the dorms on UTC’s campus, attending classes Monday through Friday, getting a feel for what college life is like. The summer curriculum emphasis is on subject matter enrichment (not remediation) and intensive research in the areas of math and science.

Services offered throughout the year include:

• Academic & Career Counseling
• Tutorial Services
• Research & Career Mentoring
• Cultural & Educational Enrichment

If you are interested in participating in the Upward Bound Math Science program, please print and fill out our Application, and send it to our administrative office with all requested documentation:

Upward Bound Math Science: PRISM
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
615 McCallie Avenue, Department 6648
The State Office Building,  540 McCallie Avenue, 4th floor, Room 411
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403
423-425-2248 (Office) 
423-425-2249 (Fax)

UBMS Application

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Academic and Career Counseling

UBMS staff members work with Howard School of Academics and Technology and Brainerd High School to ensure students are on track to graduate, they are taking classes needed to graduate and enter college.

UBMS students work with UTC students and professionals, who readily explain what life as a college student and particular careers entail, enabling UBMS students to make more informed decisions and become more focused about choosing career paths. This component helps the participants strive toward attainable educational and career goals.

Special seminars are offered concerning career/educational planning, preparation for college admission, and personal improvement, such as character education and goal development. Speakers often visit students to explain their profession and the type of education earned in order to be in that profession. Speakers also come to inform students and their families about the college admissions process, how to find and apply for financial aid, scholarship and internship opportunities. Students also are able to visit and tour college campuses and often meet with admissions officers to learn more about how to finance their education.

Cultural and Educational Enrichment

Cultural and Educational Enrichment activities are designed to broaden, expose, and provide opportunities to enhance each participant’s learning experience. These activities include field trips such as plays, college visits, and musical concerts. Each year, at the end of the summer component, students visit cities across the United States to learn more about job opportunities, the city’s history, and students visit various attractions and museums. This cultural enrichment has included trips to Washington DC, Tampa, FL, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, and Atlanta, GA among others.

Research and Career Mentoring

Participants are paired with UTC students or professionals majoring/and or working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) fields.  The mentors serve as a direct source of information on the benefits of post-secondary education.

The research project is an important aspect of the summer curriculum.

Students work with academics and professionals who readily explain what particular careers entail, so UBMS students can make more informed decisions and become more focused about choosing career paths. This component helps the participants strive toward educational and career goals that are attainable for them.

Tutorial Services

Mandatory weekly tutorials are arranged for students who make a C or below in their courses during the academic year. The weekly tutorials are designed to adequately assist students in their understanding of classroom assignments. UTC graduate and undergraduate students conduct these sessions.

Students also participate in ACT preparation classes. The tutorial for this test helps students to review English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning and Essay questions, as well as in-class problem solving strategies. Test-taking strategies and format review are covered. Students take practice exams so they can gauge where they need to work most for optimum test scores.

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Employment and Volunteer Opportunities