Iowa State University
12-30-96

Contacts:
Rafael Rodriguez, Minority Student Affairs, (515) 294-6338
Steve Sullivan, News Service, (515) 294-3720

ISU PROGRAM TO HELP DES MOINES ELEMENTARY MINORITY STUDENTS RECEIVES GTE GRANT

AMES, Iowa -- An Iowa State University program to enrich math and science education for minority students in Des Moines elementary schools has been awarded a $30,000 grant by GTE.

The ISU program, called "Science Bound: The Younger Generation," was one of 15 university-based programs nationwide to receive a 1996 GTE FOCUS grant. The two-year, $30,000 grant is given on behalf of GTE and all its subsidiaries.

The program will be administered by ISU's Minority Student Affairs Office and Science Bound program. "Science Bound: The Younger Generation" will focus on the math, science, and reading education of African American and Latino fourth graders in selected Des Moines elementary schools, said Rafael Rodriguez, director of ISU Minority Student Affairs.

Students will attend a summer enrichment program in the summer of 1997. The enrichment program will include activities that integrate science, math, engineering and technology, with a major emphasis on reading and math skills. Science Bound students in grades 9-12 will serve as student mentors under the supervision of elementary teachers and ISU staff.

During the 1997-98 academic year, students will attend activity- based programs at places like the Botanical Center, Blank Park Zoo and the Science Center of Iowa.

The project will include workshops for the students' parents, addressing such topics as child/adolescent development, health and nutrition, home study environments and how to become involved in a child's education.

Science Bound was created in 1989 to increase involvement of Des Moines middle and high school minority students in math and science education. Research indicates that students in the program show more positive attitudes toward science than other students, and score significantly higher on academic achievement tests. Science Bound students also have better school attendance and fewer discipline problems than non-Science Bound students.

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