Cornell’s Public Service Center, working with partners at the Ithaca City School District and Cornell’s Office for Academic Diversity Initiatives, is seeking applications from middle- and high school students in the Ithaca City School District for its new Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP).

STEP is a pre-college program for historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students, designed to prepare them for entry into postsecondary degree programs in scientific, technical and health-related fields and the licensed professions.

The Cornell STEP will work with 99 students from Ithaca High School, Boynton Middle School and DeWitt Middle School.

Once students are accepted into STEP, college and career preparatory services fully funded by the New York State Education Department are granted to each STEP scholar and their and families free of charge.

STEP will provide students with academic enrichment and research experience in science, mathematics and technology content areas. The program’s objectives include:

• to connect STEP students with community and collegiate opportunities;
• to promote student growth, challenge student potential and support postsecondary education pursuits;
• to assist students through weekly tutoring services, bimonthly student progress meetings, monthly Saturday Academies and involvement in the community; and
• to provide access to a variety of financial support services such as college application fee assistance/waivers, ACT/SAT fee waivers, FAFSA and financial assistance workshops.

Community partners – Cornell Cooperative Extension, 4H Youth Development, the Ithaca Youth Bureau, Tompkins County Workforce, the Village at Ithaca and Cornell Business and Technology Development, among others – will provide STEM-related opportunities and resources to STEP participants.

Applications are available online at the Public Service Center website.

First priority will be given to applications received by Nov. 16. Applications will be reviewed and acceptance/denial notifications will go out by Dec. 14 for the first pool of applications. If all slots have not been filled, applications will be reviewed again Dec. 14 and Jan. 14. Parent-student information sessions will be held at  Just Be Cause, 1013 W State St, Ithaca; see schedule here: www.psc.cornell.edu/STEP. Or email STEP at step@cornell.edu.