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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center Upward Bound Math and Science students received special awards and recognition at the regional University’s Science and Engineering Research Challenge (SERC) hosted on campus Saturday, March 18 by the SIUE STEM Center. 

The Cahokia High School sophomores’ “How to Make Saltwater Drinkable” exhibit received an outstanding ribbon, the American Meteorological Society Certificate of Outstanding Achievement and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional Award. The participants were Joshuwa Wright and Tremaine Jack. 

The students noted the value and importance of H2O. “Water is the only substance that helps people survive,” Wright said. 

“Water is the best thing on Earth,” Jack added. 

Winning a first place ribbon were the remaining Upward Bound STEM teams: “Do Tea, Soda and Coffee Stain Your Teeth?” by Cahokia High School sophomores Darielle Odom, Jevon Clark, Jason Lacy and Kevin Strader. “What Objects Form the Best Crystals?” by 10^th graders Dimitri Ennis, Cahokia High School, and Ti'Aja Fairlee, East St. Louis High School. 

“The science fair was a lot of fun, and I love doing it,” Odom said. 

More than 250 regional students from grades 5-12 participated in the SERC. The goal of the competition was to help students advance their thinking, confidence and interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). 

Upward Bound (UB) helps youth prepare for higher education. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition, mathematics and science on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. UB serves students from the following high schools: East St. Louis and Cahokia (EC) and Brooklyn, East St. Louis Charter and Madison (BEM).  

With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts. 

Photos:

Upward Bound Math and Science students Joshuwa Wright (left) and Tremaine explain their project, “How to Make Salt Water Drinkable,” to SERC judge Kim Bateman, program director of the Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC). 

Shown with their project: “Do Tea, Soda and Coffee Stain Your Teeth?” are Upward Bound Math and Science students (L-R): Jason Lacy, Kevin Strader, Darielle Odom and Jevon Clark. 

Upward Bound Math and Science students Dimitri Ennis (left) and Ti’Aja Fairlee worked together on their project, “What Objects Form the Best Crystals?”