Rice University Summer School
Rice University offers a four-week course that combines skills and enrichment. Gear UP students can take skills courses necessary in order for them to excel in school.  Students work in small groups to develop and use thinking, problem-solving and processing skills of scientists, historians, mathematicians, writers, artists, and researchers.  In addition, enrichment courses are offered to give students the opportunity to explore new fields and prepare for future studies. Classes include topics on art, English, Foreign Language, mathematics, physical education, science, and social studies. At the end of the program, a narrative evaluation is provided.

University of Houston Architecture Program
Instruction for this five-week program consists of basic building design projects plus lectures on fundamental concepts of structure, architectural theory and history. All classes are taught by college-level faculty. Student go on field trips to job sites, architects’ offices, and buildings of special interest, including one out-of-town trip to the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, and Charles Moore’s house and studio in Austin.

University of Houston Film Camp
Wonderworks, in association with the University of Houston School of Communications, sponsors a five-week, intensive summer camp for high school students in film making, script-writing, and film theory and appreciation.  Gear UP students learn

• the tools for producing independent videos touching on experimental, narrative and documentary techniques;
• a better understanding of the structure and process underlying motion picture narratives and documentaries; and
• experience screenings of films of special interest, which are knowledgeably introduced and discussed.

HOUSTON PREPARATORY ACADEMY
UPrep provides a unique opportunity for students bridging social work with academic rigor. The program began in SBISD a year ago with a cadre of 20 GEAR UP students. Several new students joined the Uprep cohort and attended an intensive three week academic program at the UH Central Campus honing their language arts and math skills. The original group of UPREP students attended the six week UH Downtown Pre-Freshman Enrichment program.

The Houston Preparatory Academy U-Prep Program (U-Prep) is a year-round initiative which represents a meld of education and social work to assist under-represented youth with academic potential in bridging educational, technological and social gaps. In Spring 2003, twenty-two SBISD GEAR UP students were selected to attend U-Prep through an identification process that included examination of grades, test scores, teacher recommendations and a student application essay. U-Prep students participate in the following activities:

• An academically rigorous 4-week summer program at the University of Houston's Main Campus
• On-going tutoring, mentoring, family social services, field trips, service learning projects, health screenings, college and career counseling
• Harris County Precinct One Street Olympics and other competitive athletic activities
• Saturday Computational Sciences Academy at the University of Houston Downtown for 14 Saturdays during the school year
• Computer training for parents designed to familiarize them with current technology
• STARS (Students Taking Action and Responsibility in School)-A U-Prep student leadership initiative to identify and resolve campus issues

For more information contact: Houston Preparatory Academy Headmistress, Dr. Helen Berger 713-659-1199 or log on to the website at www.houstonprep.org

TECHNOLOGY CAMP
Students who attended the week-long Tech Camp at the Guthrie Center had the opportunity to explore technology in creative ways using cameras, digital imagery and robotics.

YMCA South Texas Teen Escape
Gear UP students attend a four-day trip to South Padre Island, where they learn to build leadership skills and advocate diversity.  The program incorporates small group learning, service projects, and leadership development.  The program introduces teens to the opportunity to interact with other student from around the State, build participation in YMCA programs, and offers the opportunity to attend a national conference