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High school students in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound EC (East St. Louis and Cahokia) and BEM (Brooklyn, East St. Louis Charter and Madison) programs are learning how to build robots, about computer coding and how to protect technology from cyber-attacks. 

For the first time, Upward Bound is offering FIRST Robotics, Code Red and CyberPatriot to its students to better prepare them for college and careers in the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). 

“These new classes are part of our effort to provide learning experiences that are highly engaging, and at the same time prepare students with skills for college and career success,” said Jesse Dixon, executive director of the SIUE East St. Louis Center, where the Upward Bound programs are housed. 

“Our students are interested in STEM education and careers. They have already shown aptitude in related fields, and we want to encourage them to advance their knowledge and skills,” said Upward Bound EC/BEM Program Director Javonda Quinn. “These courses will be taught all school year and at different times, to make it possible for one student to attend all three classes. 

All three courses are being taught by new Upward Bound EC/BEM STEM instructor, Jay Hubert. 

“Our classes began Sept. 27, and I can already tell that there is a high level of interest and excitement among several of the students,” Hubert said.  

“I like the idea of robotics and wanted to get a more extensive and educated view about it,” said Marjea Ward, 16-year-old Upward Bound EC student. “I’m already taking the Code Red class.” Ward plans to earn a master’s in business administration marketing. 

Fifteen-year-old Alex Gomez said he plans to major in robotic engineering in college. “I’ve always been interested in the concept of robotics. I want to learn how to build and program robotics.” 

The FIRST Robotics class brings all four STEM fields together. “Using a scientific approach, students will construct, operate and control a robot to complete a challenge that they design,” Hubert said. 

Code Red is an introduction to computer coding. Students will start with basic programs and logical thinking and advance to higher level computer coding at their own pace. “The goal is to give students real world experience in a field that is in high demand,” Hubert added. “It will also better prepare them for similar courses offered in college.” 

CyberPatriot is part of National Youth Cyber Education Program and gives instruction on how technology professionals protect the online aspect of businesses. “We learn what things can be done to protect individuals, businesses and institutions from various cyber threats like identity theft and hacking,” Hubert said. “Then the course has a competition component, where teams of high school students from across the country are put in the position of newly hired IT professionals. A problem is sent to them and the teams have to protect their system and keep it running during the threat.” 

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:

Getting started on their robotics class assignments are Upward Bound EC students (left to right): Devin Washington, 15; Edgar Williams, 18; and Kierra Montgomery, 14. 

Arranging their inventory are Upward Bound EC students Zachary Riggs, 17 (left); and Alex Gomez, 15.