Indiana students GEAR UP with STEM

Recently featured for their innovative STEM initiatives, Indiana GEAR UP is utilizing STEM programming in classrooms and schools in order to increase student engagement and interest in STEM career fields. According to Executive Director Dr. Virginia Bolshakova, “Let students choose their favorite topics to study and then seek out the best hands on STEM curriculum and activities that meet students’ interests”.  

Indiana GEAR UP began implementing more hands-on…

GEAR UP covers gamut for students and teachers

Oklahoma GEAR UP was recently featured for providing a wide variety of supportive services to their local communities. Not only are their GEAR UP students receiving academic and college readiness support, but local educators are receiving critical professional development services, and parents are receiving more opportunities to be involved in community educational experiences. The article shows how GEAR UP truly serves the purpose of supporting the…

Lynchburg high school seniors gear up for college application process this fall

GEAR UP Virginia students were recently featured for kicking off their senior year by preparing for college. Students shared their college aspirations and shared what it meant to have GEAR UP supporting their dreams, “It's stress-relieving knowing that you don't have to do it by yourself, that people are there to help you.” Students heard from alumni, participated in activities to prepare for college, and learned…

Aroostook County Project Studies How To Get Students To College — And Keep Them There 

GEAR UP Maine is working to address the barriers of postsecondary access in rural communities. Through a promising local study they saw an increase of students enrolling in college. However, students persisting through college still presented as a challenge for many across rural Maine. With initiatives through GEAR UP, they hope to have college representatives build rapport with students before they begin…

Goldendale students in Early Engineering program

We know that GEAR UP students are devoted to preparing for college year round, often spending the summers off school, but preparing through supplemental academic courses or college readiness initiatives. Students from rural Washington did just that earlier this summer when they spent time at the University of Washington participating in an engineering focused program. A GEAR UP parent described how this program inspired their student, “He came…

GEAR UP, Bitsource host App Inventor Camp

In a partnership with GEAR UP East Kentucky and Bitsource, students were invited to participate in an App Inventor Camp to learn the basics of building apps through various computer science and coding techniques. Students were introduced to new career opportunities in the STEM field and built apps to showcase on the last day of the program.

Students spend summer creating art 

GEAR UP students in the state of Washington spent part of the summer learning from world renowned artists and contributing pieces of original art to beautify their communities and schools. Students amplified their voices through murals that helped them feel more connected and develop a larger sense of belonging. One student, an incoming high school freshman, shared their perspective on how the project changed the students who participated, “It’s teaching us…