Uplifting Science camp inspires STEM futures at Penn State

This summer the offices of science outreach and of diversity and inclusion at the Penn State Eberly College of Science partnered with Upward Bound Programs, or UBP, through the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, to host the first Uplifting Science summer camp. Through this camp, 19 Pennsylvania high schoolers spent one week on Penn State’s campus exploring scientific disciplines and developing their STEM identity.

“The purpose of the Uplifting Science camp is to give students in the Upward Bound Programs the opportunity to see themselves in STEM,” shared David Simpson, associate dean for diversity and inclusion. “While on campus, students participated in workshops on physics, received tours of the donor lab and planetarium, and heard STEM stories from Eberly faculty Melanie McReynolds and Thomas Carlo-Joglar.”

Beyond exploring science, students also received value affirmations workshops where they developed and strengthened their STEM identity. Activities included goal setting, value identification, and guided reflections. Students also wrote their future selves’ letters which will be mailed in late spring 2026.

The Uplifting Science summer camp serves as the first time that Eberly College of Science at Penn State has hosted students in UBP for an entire week in the summer, adding to the annual residential Summer Academy run by Upward Bound Programs.

"Programs like Upward Bound are critical to enhancing representation in the sciences," said Simpson. "These programs allow students who come from low income and who would be first-generation college students to explore future postsecondary pathways they might not have considered or known about."

Students who attend UBP are high schoolers across Pennsylvania, coming from Altoona, Clairton, McKeesport, Hazleton, Mifflin County, Mount Union, Newport, Reading, and Steelton-Highspire high schools. There is also an Upward Bound Math and Science Program in Reading, Pennsylvania. “Federal funding has made Upward Bound Programs such a success here in Pennsylvania and beyond,” shared Phil Needles, acting assistant vice provost and director of strategic initiatives and partnerships of educational equity. 

Annually UBP serves approximately 370 participants and has over 2,700 graduates over the last 50 years at Penn State. Funded via federal grants through the U.S. Department of Education, the Upward Bound programs are designed to work with students in many areas across the state to provide programming and opportunities for students to succeed in their high school performance and in their pursuit of higher education.

“It was wonderful to have the opportunity to bring a group of our UBP students to Penn State’s campus for a week,” said Leo Conway, director of Upward Bound programs at University Park. “Our ultimate dream would be to have all of our UBP participants, at some point during their high school years, be able to take advantage of the Uplifting Science course at University Park.”

UBP has been changing lives for decades — over 77% of the students enrolled in the program go on to attend college and 56% of those students graduate college within six years.

“I really loved the camp experience, [it] is really great [because as] students [we] get to learn more about science but also the principle of finding our STEAM identity,” shared a student in an exit survey.

Overall, students felt the camp met their expectations and came away with increased intentions to attend college, after exploring science with others and feeling inspired by scientists.