Middle School Program
Student Enrichment Program for Underrepresented Professions (StEP-UP)
Program Components
Program Benefits
Select students who demonstrate an interest in science and medicine will have:
- Interactive sessions with MCW medical and graduate students, practicing physicians, and other health professionals.
- An early exposure to a variety of experiences to inspire their pursuit of a careers in medicine and science.
- Extensive learning modules that are engaging and grade level appropriate given their current foundation and scientific knowledge.
- Hands-on demonstrations of basic biomedical and clinical science teaching topics.
- Six half-day sessions held on one Saturday per month throughout the academic school year.
Curriculum
- Personal Development: Sessions help to give students the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, and responsible citizens.
- Professional Development: The curriculum aims help students develop the goals, skills, and attributes necessary for success as a student, an applicant to a professional program, and a career professional.
- Hands-on Activities: Students will participate in fun and engaging activities related to basic biomedical and clinical science. Sessions will help students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Preparation for the Next Step: Students will be given resources and instructions to help prepare them for high school.
Parent/Guardian Session
We believe parental support and participation translates to active and engaged students. Parental sessions will:
- Engage families in opportunities to work with their children in setting their academic, college and career goals.
- Provide interaction with community partners, MCW staff, faculty, and students to share resources for parents at orientation.
Program Dates
- August 1, 2024: Application Opens
- September 30, 2024: Application Deadline
- November 16, 2024: Orientation
- December 7, 2024: Session 2
- January 18, 2025: Session 3
- February 8, 2025: Session 4
- March 8, 2025: Session 5
- April 12, 2025: Session 6
Attendance is mandatory for each session.
2024 Program Timeline
Middle School Application Requirements and Procedure
Application
Applications open for the school year August 1.
Deadline to apply is September 30.
How do I qualify?
Students must demonstrate a strong interest in a career in the health sciences and/or medicine and meet the following criteria:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Ability to travel to the MCW-Milwaukee campus for each session
- Be from an ethnically, economically and/or educationally disadvantaged background
Eligibility
We recognize that there is a myriad of factors that may pose unique challenges to every individual. In defining these groups, we identify populations where there is a disconnect between the group’s representation and perspectives in the educational environment and current workforce compared to the general population. To advance health equity, more focused and sustained outreach and recruitment efforts exist for individuals in these groups who may not have equal access to resources to reach biomedical careers. Middle School students from the Milwaukee metro region in the following populations are strongly encouraged to apply:
- African American
- Mexican American
- Puerto Rican
- Native American
- Hmong American
- LGBTQIA+
- Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds*
*Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds as defined by National Institutes of Health
How to Apply
- Submit completed online application.
- Submit two (2) electronic recommendations: one from your science teacher (required) and another influential adult (e.g. school counselor or mentor).
- Upload a copy of your official report card with application.