Fitchburg State University recently welcomed community members, educators, and families to the Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge for the annual Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) Experiential Learning Student Showcase. The interactive event celebrated the hard work, creativity, and academic growth of local high school students following an intensive five-week summer initiative.
The showcase served as the capstone for participants in the program’s six-week Summer Academy Residential Program. Funded through a federal grant, UBMS serves 62 potential first-generation college students from low-to-moderate-income backgrounds across local partner schools, including Fitchburg High School, Leominster High School, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School (Monty Tech), and St. Bernard’s High School. While living on campus at Fitchburg State this summer, participants engaged in STEM enrichment, community service, and academic advising designed to mirror the college experience.
At the center of the exhibition was the College Readiness Project. Over the past five weeks, students moved from project conception to final creation, working within a small budget on a passion project of their own choosing. Each student-driven project required integration across core disciplines – English, mathematics, science, and foreign languages. Presenters researched and wrote formal APA-style papers, built tangible products, and delivered professional presentations to showcase attendees.
"Our goal is to offer students opportunities and experiences they might not otherwise have, giving them insight into careers and experiences they will encounter in college," said Fitchburg State University Director of UBMS Nate Obin. "The project timeframe mimics what they will experience as college students. They learn APA formatting, time management, financial literacy, and presentation skills, while building resilience and critical thinking."
Now in its second year, the College Readiness Project model challenges students to balance study time with personal commitments, while building confidence in higher-education expectations.
When Fitchburg High senior Iian Dumlao first joined Upward Bound Math & Science three years ago, public speaking and self-advocacy felt nearly impossible. Through self-directed STEM projects – like teaching himself computer science, coding, and electronics – and stepping out of his comfort zone, he underwent a dramatic personal transformation.
“Not everything about computer science and teaching yourself how to code has to be serious,” said Dumlao, whose project focused on the development of a raspberry pi-based graphical user interface inspired by the video game and television series, Fallout. “Literally, you can take any concept and turn it into this. Everyone else is doing academic projects – that’s wonderful – but I took a non-academic thing and turned it into academic by teaching myself how to code, teaching myself math principles within code, and how to work with electronics.”
Dumlao said that when he first started in the program, he was quiet all the time.
“But my first summer here helped me realize that there’s more to life than just being quiet,” said Dumlao. “People love it when you interact with them. It helped me become a new person and it helped me build my confidence with making friends with other people.”
That confidence showed up in his presentation skills.
“Years ago if I did this, I would have been sweating, stressing and crying the entire time,” said Dumlao. “Now I’m here and able to do public speaking like nobody’s business. The benefits of this program are it helps you build your confidence, it prepares you for college readiness. I recommend this program to anybody and everybody.”
Leominster High junior Nalia Rivera initially walked through the doors convinced that this program wouldn't be for her. However, the supportive atmosphere quickly reshaped her expectations, introducing her to a strong community and new wellness habits.
“My experience has honestly been amazing,” said Rivera, who presented the benefits of yoga. “I came into this with a very small mindset that I wasn’t going to like it here, but I walked in and met some amazing people. I’m so grateful for this program because I’ve met some of my lifelong friends.”
A three-year veteran of the Upward Bound Math & Science program, Jayden Jones – a senior at Leominster High – has used his time to blend creative problem-solving with meaningful personal connection. Whether tackling everyday challenges like the rising cost of fishing lures by engineering cheaper alternatives or engaging with his peers, his focus remains on growth.
“I love the overall community that you build here,” said Jones, who presented his fishing tackle company, J. Jones Lures. “You get to understand different people and how they live and learn their backstories, which makes you grow as a person.”
While many students dream of attending college, navigating the path to higher education can feel overwhelming. For Michoki Kabaya, Upward Bound Math & Science bridged the gap between ambition and action by providing real-world exposure to campus life and college preparation.
“The Upward Bound Math & Science program has really just broadened my learning on what university is and what it means to me,” said Kabaya, a junior at Fitchburg High. “Obviously I want to get into a good college, but I didn’t know how. The staff has helped me with college trips, being on campus, and being able to live on campus to see what it’s like.”
Kabaya’s showcase project examined the effects of demographic exclusion on sunscreen development and inclusivity.
“I hope they understand the importance of sunscreen,” said Kabaya. “I want them to take away how important using sunscreen is.”
Guests spent the afternoon circulating through the Main Lounge, engaging directly with student presenters, asking questions about their experiments, and viewing their creative displays firsthand.
"Each of these projects was completely unique and centered on the student's personal interests," said Obin. "We look forward to continuing this impactful model as we enter year five of our grant."
Upward Bound Math & Science is a federally funded TRiO program designed to strengthen the math and science skills of participating high school students. The program’s goal is to encourage students to recognize and develop their potential to excel in math and science, inspiring them to pursue postsecondary degrees and careers in STEM fields.
For additional information, visit the Fitchburg State Upward Bound Math & Science Program website.