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Summer, exploration, math and science. It was a winning combination for 30 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Collinsville High School (CHS) program students. 

The students had the chance to display their knowledge to family and friends and be celebrated for their scholastic exploits and diligence during the program’s Summer Showcase and Awards Ceremony, held on Thursday, July 14 in the Bluff Hall Multifunction Room. 

“Our students have worked hard this summer,” said UBMS Program Director Desiree Tyus to the roomful of parents and friends. “As we wrap up the 2021-22 year, I want to take a moment to thank each employee and our extended UBMS family members for their dedication during this rollercoaster of a school year. I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to thank each of you for your perseverance during this unprecedented time. The summer showcase and awards ceremony is an effort to give our academically successful students some of the same recognition often showered on their peers who are involved in sports and other extracurricular activities. While many of their colleagues and siblings this summer are home playing games, making TikTok videos, swimming and sleeping in – our students woke up early Monday through Friday to get an upper hand advantage at preparing for college.” 

“It was important for me to get this experience in science, being able to collect data and other things like that,” said Reznor Hartmann, of his research: “Amount of Recycling Trash on SIUE Campus.” He was one of a group of UBMS students working on the project this summer. “It was difficult at times, but once we got going, it was fun.” 

“This has been a wonderful opportunity for Reznor,” said his mother, Beth Hartmann. “This is his second year in the program. It’s opening many different doors for him. It will help him with his college path. He’s learning about careers he didn’t know existed. He’s getting to travel and make friends. He’s also more confident.” 

Other research posters at the symposium included: “Soil and Air Pollution: How are They Connected,” “How Does the Development of a City Affect the Air Quality,” “The Difference in Soil Composition Around SIUE Campus,” “Air vs SIUE,” “Water vs Pollution vs Environment,” “Ready? Set. Grow!”, “Measuring and Comparing the Decibels of Different Sounds through Different Mediums,” “Differences in Soil in Yards With vs Without Pets” and “Comparing Soil Quality Around SIUE Campus.” 

“I have seen posters done like this before by graduate students who are doing similar research projects,” said Candi Johnson, SIUE Center for STEM Research, Education, and Outreach program coordinator and resource manager. The STEM Center, along with the SIUE Department of Anthropology and the Departments of Environmental Sciences and Geography and  Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) hosted an archeological dig for the program. “Their work is especially impressive.” 

“Someday, these young students will reap the benefits of what now may feel like grueling work,” added Tyus. “STEM education is vital to national development, improving the lives of people around the world. Our UBMS students’ work displayed around the room is evident that they are learning how to make key enhancements towards their collegiate pursuits.” 

During the program, UBMS staff introduced subjects, projects and activities that occurred over the summer with students providing the synopses, some of which included American Sign Language (ASL), writing composition, health and sex education, engagement in relationships, banking and financial literacy, archeological dig, STEM labs, fifth annual career day, game night, field day and spirit week. 

Highlights of the award ceremony were as follows:

Underclassman Excellence in ASL: Yared Benitez

Upperclassman Excellence in ASL: Juan Rodriguez 

Underclassman Best English Presentation: Alexa Ortiz, Cassie Angulo, Summer Anderson

Upperclassman Best English Presentation: Christian Smith, Juan Rodriguez, Brian Castro

Underclassman Excellence in Debate: Giovanni Roman

Upperclassman Excellence in Debate: Brian Castro

Underclassman Excellence in STEM: Yared Benitez 

Upperclassman Excellence in STEM: Gabriela Hernandez

Excellence in Anthropology: Christian Smith

Engagement in Relationships Course: Roman, Castro, Danajah Willis, Paulina Gutierrez, Joseph Rauk

UBMS Residential Spirit Award: Luis Rivas

Excellence in Animatronics: Benjamin Simpkins 

Outstanding Freshman of the Summer: Cassandra Angulo

Outstanding Sophomore of the Summer: Reznor Hartmann

Outstanding Junior of the Summer: Aspen Hoffmann

Outstanding Senior of the Summer: Crystal Montalvo

Perfect Attendance: Cassandra Angulo, Yared Benitez, Kaylee Cooper, Xander Davidson, Tremonte Dickerson, Reznor Hartmann, Aspen Hoffmann, Hayden Honeycutt, Rivas, Rodriguez, Christian Smith and Julianna Sotelo. 

The SIUE Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) program helps youth prepare for higher education and serves students from Collinsville. Participants receive instruction in advanced mathematics and science during the school day, homework assistance and hands-on STEM workshops twice a week after school, and cultural, career and college preparation on Saturdays. During the summer, students participate in a six-week residential program that allows participants to reside on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s campus and undergo college preparedness. Services provided prepare students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary STEM degree programs. The program is designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students who are currently in grades 9-12. For more information about how you can get involved in our program, please visit us at collinsvilleubms.com.  

Photos:

SIUE UBMS Collinsville High School closed out its summer program with an awards ceremony.  

Robert Scott, a former UBMS graduate assistant listens to Crystal Montalvo and Joseph Rauk during their research presentation, “Ready? Set. Grow!,” made possible by of the SIUE STEM Center’s NSF GRANT– YCITYSCI/Environmental Science Research Presentation.  

Awarded for Excellence in Pursuing STEM Career shown L-R:  Alexa Ortiz, Christian Smith, Summer Anderson, Danajah Willis, Raiven Taylor, Benjamin Simpkins and Tremonte Dickerson.