ISU Foundation Science Bound

Science Bound has partnered with Des Moines Public Schools since 1990. SB's mission is to increase the number of Iowa youth (from populations that are identified by the National Science Foundation as underrepresented in STEM) who go through college and on to a STEM career. We do this by * Exposing student to STEM disciplines and careers * Providing students with personally engaging experiences with STEM content * Equipping students with the academic knowledge, skills and self-efficacy to navigate and negotiate higher education More than 95 percent of Science Bound graduates pursue a post-secondary degree.

Iowa State University's Science Bound (SB) was developed to address the educational needs resulting from the growing demands for a globally-competitive, highly-skilled technical workforce, as well as changing state and national demographics. The SB program model is a four-way partnership between businesses/corporation, school districts, students and families, and Iowa State. This model provides informal science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education with strong ties to the local school. The program operates in three Iowa school districts. SB enters into a 5-year contractual agreement with students and families at the end of the young person's 7th grade year. The program functions like an after school club. Approximately 40 teachers, representing each of the public middle and high schools (15 schools) in Des Moines, work with more than 275 students. Other program offerings include parent workshops, field trips to Iowa State and STEM companies, and summer academic programs. Students who successfully meet the program's requirement through graduation, and who then pursue a STEM degree at Iowa State, earn a tuition scholarship.