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 High School Enrichment Program (HSEP) provides an opportunity for male students currently in tenth and eleventh grades, who are interested in careers in the health professions, to increase their awareness of career opportunities in the health professions and to become involved in the level of research that is conducted at UIC. The program will take place from May 24, 1999 through June 30, 1999. We are currently working with high school college counselors at eight city and suburban parochial and private high schools with substantial minority populations. The first purpose of the program is to heighten student's and their parents' awareness of UIC as a top level Research One Institution. They are generally academically capable and their families are financially sound, but unfortunately, UIC is not high on their selection list. The second goal is to provide mentoring relationships with academic professionals, who will assist students in conducting a research project, writing a research paper, and presenting their findings at the conclusion of the program.

In addition to working daily on their research projects, students will receive instruction in mathematics: data analysis, the transformation of variables, writing: drafting research proposals, editing and rewriting, analysis, and developing a logical argument, and oral presentation skills; biology: biomedical research, safety, inventory, lab notebooks, calibration, and the use of instruments. The students' research projects will be determined with the assistance of their faculty mentors.

Technical support will be provided in the form of computer laboratory usage, training in library research and word processing skills, using a scientific calculator, creating databases and spreadsheets, and statistical analysis training. There will also be seminars focused on student projects and the following topics: professionalism, academic advising, the review of literature, determining experts, cooperative and collaborative work, the culture of constructive criticism, defining and limiting a research problem, setting priorities and time lines, research ethics, the integrity of data, experimental bias, history, originality, citation, plagiarism, human and animal experimental restrictions, career counseling, and standardized testing. Weekend activities involve parents and students attending a lecture series showcasing scholars from UIC and their research. In addition to field trips to UIC facilities. Students completing this program will have engaged in a research project in the health sciences and been introduced to UIC's facilities, its faculty and their research.