OUR VISION

Imagine walking into an office of engineers, a hospital, or a research laboratory and seeing faces that represent the wonderful diversity of our society. BOOST (Building Opportunities and Overtures in Science and Technology) is working to make that vision a reality!

BOOST is a multidimensional program serving all Durham Public Schools students in 5th through 8th grade. The program is designed to excite young people about STEM and inspire them to pursue careers in medicine and related fields. BOOST encourages the participation of all students including those that have historically been underrepresented in medicine.

BOOST is situated within Duke University School of Medicine.

OUR MISSION

BOOST aims to be an integral program in a pathway that attracts, engages, supports, and retains students in the sciences throughout their pre-collegiate education. We do this by exposing students and their families to new people, places, and experiences that can open new worlds for them.

Our goals are to:

• Improve the science performance of all students (including those that have historically been underrepresented in STEM and health professions).
• Upgrade and expand the content of the pre-college science curriculum; and
• Ensure that student participants are well prepared for professional education in STEM.

OUR APPROACH 

Students receive hands-on, stimulating classroom activities; research projects under the guidance of mentors; overnight and local field trips; a summer science workshop, and other activities through three targeted, age-appropriate programs for elementary, middle, and high school students and their families.

Educators get professional development programs including teacher training workshops, a summer science workshop, science/research forums, and classroom support.

College Students have opportunities to mentor students, teach and provide support in classrooms, and help guide science-based field trips.