Science Bound is a premier program at Iowa State University, which strives to engage Iowa youth from 22 Iowa schools in education and research opportunities in the fields of Agriculture, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (ASTEM). Students enroll in the Science Bound program at the beginning of the 8th grade, and they must maintain a 3.0 grade point average as they participate in science fairs and summer programs, prepare and give oral presentations, tour labs and meet with students and staff at ISU. Students who successfully complete the program and meet requirements for admission receive a full tuition scholarship to attend ISU and pursue a degree in an ASTEM-related major.
Each academic year, middle and high school students participating in the Iowa State University SCIENCE BOUND program attend four Saturday events on the ISU campus, at which they participate in “hands-on” research activities led by faculty, staff and ISU students engaged in in the fields of Agriculture, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (ASTEM).
Our project team has developed a “hands-on” module based on our research, “A Genetics Activity: A Plant’s Molecular Raincoat”. The inaugural roll out of this activity occurred at Science Bound Saturday on September 21, 2014 and has been offered twice in 2014 and twice in 2015. Each session was met with enthusiastic responses. Eight members of our team participated in designing and leading this activity. This activity will continue to be offered on Science Bound Saturdays and will be presented at other outreach events at Iowa State University.
Funded by the National Science Foundation Award Number 1354799