University Supports Local Schools

Nearly 40 Lowell high school students joined U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas during a trip to Washington D.C.

Nearly 100 students from Lowell public schools participated in summer programs sponsored by the Center for Family, Work and Community (CFWC) designed to help students prepare for and learn about college. 

“These efforts help us reach out to our local public school students and encourage them to attend college,” says Elaine Donnelly, program manager in CFWC.

Forty 10th-grade students from Lowell High School participated in a Gear Up trip – a national educational summit in Washington, D.C.  The Lowell High students met with U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas and other legislative representatives during their weeklong visit.

A group of Lowell middle-school students enjoyed the Science of Small Things – a series of science-based workshops and field trips. Students learned about how materials can be altered at the nanoscale, and explored concepts such as microscopy, chemical bonding and semi-permeable membranes.

Lastly, the Lowell High School/UMass Lowell Partnership for College Success initiative matched high school graduates with UMass Lowell sophomores to help them prepare for their first year of college. By staying in the dorms, participating in note taking and time management workshops and attending college-level classes, students got a preview of what to expect during freshman year.

- Sheila_Eppolito