TRIO High School Upward Bound at Metropolitan State University of Denver is seeking proposals from faculty and staff members and external community providers to design and develop classes to teach at TRIO’s summer program for ninth- through 12th-grade Denver Public Schools students.  

Upward Bound is a federally funded college preparatory program dedicated to the academic success of high school students from under resourced backgrounds. The Upward Bound Summer Program is aimed at strengthening student educational interest that will lead to a successful vision and plan for high school success and college access. The purpose of the summer program is to expose students to college-level classes that enhance their problem-solving, critical-thinking and collaborative skills through innovative and creative curriculum. 

Proposed classes

Classes must connect to at least one of the following content areas:  

  • Math 
  • Literature 
  • Lab Science 
  • Foreign Language 
  • Robotics/Engineering 
  • Civics/Social Responsibility 
  • Financial Literacy 
  • Art (including music and theater)  

TRIO values approaches to teaching that are creative and hands-on and include culturally responsive content and instruction. Priority will be given to sessions that enhance critical-thinking skills regarding local, national or global issues and include a variety of learning styles that are student-centered. 

TRIO offers two teaching options for instructors 

Option 1:

Instructors will teach two sections of the course they are proposing — one section differentiated for incoming ninth- and 10th–graders and a second section for incoming 11th– and 12th–graders. These classes are to be taught twice a day, two days per week, for five weeks.

Option 2:

Instructors will teach one class of the course they are proposing two days per week. This class should be appropriate for ninth– through 12th–graders. It will be taught once per day, two days per week.

Example of class topics:  

  • Computer-Aided Design and 3D Printing: High school students will develop 21st-century engineering-design skills used in manufacturing and engineering professions with computer-aided design technology and 3D printers. Participants will design and build everyday objects that support social and environmental sustainability.
  • American Sign Language: Students learn basic ASL hand movements, facial expressions and posture needed to communicate with deaf and hearing-impaired people and gain appreciation for the various career choices and opportunities available for ASL learners. Participants expand their public-presentation skills as they present what they learn to the class.
  • Financial Literacy: Students learn the importance of basic money management for survival and pursuing and reaching life goals. Introductory lessons give students insight into the decision-making processes involved in making good and bad spending choices. As they acquire the essential tools necessary for proper money management, they learn to effectively engage with money through various hands-on scenarios that encourage critical-thinking skills.

Summer program schedule

See attached document for an example of last year’s schedule.  

Please note: Programming will be paused July 4 in observance of Independence Day and July 10-13 for a team-building retreat (students will visit an out-of-town location). On July 27, there will be a closing Presentations of Learning banquet to commemorate the summer program and showcase what students learned in class. Please be aware that your attendance and participation are required at this event and are included as part of the contract. 

  • Summer camp dates
    • June 17-July 27 summer camp, July 27 Presentations of Learning 
  • Session time frame.
    • Option 1: Each class is offered twice per week (twice per day in the morning) for five weeks.
    • Option 2: Each class is offered twice a week (once a day in the afternoon) for five weeks.
  • Session size
    • About 25 students per class.
  • Student characteristics
    • Incoming students in ninth- through 12th grade who may be among the first generation of their families to prepare for college.
  • Session format
    • Program content and instruction that is project-based, engaging, hands-on, age- and developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive.
  • Other resources
    • Upward Bound will hire MSU Denver students to serve as mentors and support instruction.
  • Lesson plans
    • Instructors must submit lesson plans prior to instruction to share with Upward Bound and on-site staff.
  • Staff training and preparation
    • Selected instructors must attend a training session before the summer program starts. In addition, time may be needed for planning and debriefing.
  • Evaluations
    • High school participants provide weekly feedback regarding program content and delivery. Instructors must be open to receiving timely feedback.
  • Deadline for proposal submission
    • May 12
  • Selection notification
    • May 22
  • Contact
    • Janelle Henderson, Director of the Center of Urban Education and TRIO Upward Bound – Metropolitan State University of Denver, 303-615-1127 [email protected].

Approved use of funds  

Faculty/instructor support for Option 1: Salary supplement/fee-for-service of up to $4,000 for summer instruction (includes time allotted for program development, lesson planning, attending staff orientation prior to the start of the camp and participating in the Presentations of Learning at the Closing Celebration on July 27). Nonparticipation in the Presentations of Learning event will be deducted from pay.  

Faculty/instructor support for Option 2: Salary supplement/fee-for-service of up to $2,000 for summer instruction. Nonparticipation in the Presentations of Learning event will be deducted from pay. 

Materials: Instructors may request up to $500 per class for books, materials and supplies. Materials budgets are reviewed and approved by Upward Bound staff and based on the length and type of activities proposed.  

Instructional assistance: Upward Bound will hire MSU Denver students to serve as mentors to assist with the campers and summer-program instruction.

 

Application process 

Please email your application to Janelle Henderson. Within your application, please include the following information:  

  • Class title
  • Class instructor(s), title, department
  • Class focus (e.g., Lab Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, Service Learning, English, Foreign Language)
  • Class summary description
  • Class goals and expected outcomes
  • Describe how you plan to grade and assess individual student-learning outcomes
  • Classroom space requirements (describe anticipated space needs, such as: computer lab, outdoor space, art studio, etc.)
  • Estimated materials and costs (outline anticipated materials, including books, supplies, equipment and estimated costs)
  • Availability: Please provide your preferred days and times for instruction — either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday and morning or afternoon. Every effort will be made to accommodate your requests, but preferences cannot be guaranteed.
  • Contact information (email and phone)
  • If you are an external provider, please provide a copy of your résumé or short bio of your relevant experience for this position.