University of Illinois at Chicago

College Support Program
Cultural Arts Camp
Educational Advisory Board
Educational Enrichment Program for 3rd, 4th, & 5th Graders
High School/College Transition Program
Health Science Enrichment Program (HSEP)
High School Fair
Hispanic Math/Science Education Initiative (HMSEI)
Parent Network
Saturday College
Science Connection (Sci-Con)
Summer Preceptors
UIC/CPS Prep Program

The Educational Enrichment Program introduces children to the scientific method using a fun, hands-on approach. It creates an environment in which students (1) actively wonder about and increase their understanding of the world around them and use the scientific method of problem solving to interpret natural phenomenon; (2) strengthen their reading, critical thinking, writing, mathematics, speaking, data analysis, and science skills; (3) learn personal/social responsibility, teamwork, persistence, and conflict resolution through physical education and theater arts; and (4) explore self expression, creativity, and cultural awareness through visual arts and exposure to other cultures. The program runs from July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001 on UIC's campus. Students meet daily for five weeks during the summer. During the school year, they are divided by gender into two groups and each group meets once a month.

Using a problem-based learning modality, students engage in various types of scientific discovery. To determine whether the problem set before them is viable, they must engage in research, which involves reading, interpreting, analyzing, and synthesizing printed information. Based on the results of this critical inquiry, students develop a viable hypothesis, determine what materials they need and what procedures they have to utilize to conduct an experiment that will produce results that address the problem they've set out to solve. This involves using various mathematical applications. Once students have completed the research, they must analyze and interpret their results and draw conclusions from the data and write a research paper detailing their findings. Students completing this process have (1) enhanced their reading/vocabulary skills, (2) improved their math skills, (3) developed the ability to reason as they make observations, record data, and draw conclusions, and (4) improved their writing skills.