The African American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago will partner with Chicago Public Schools to offer grade-school students instruction in reading, science and mathematics.

Called the Prep Program, this summer course encourages students to pursue intellectual endeavors that will help prepare them for higher education.

"Such opportunities benefit participating students by preparing them for the rigorous challenges of the 21st century and the new 'Information Age,'" said Rick Mosley, project coordinator for the UIC Early Outreach program.

June 19 - July 28
Prep Program at UIC

July 27
Exhibit of students' projects
UIC Chicago Circle Center, InnerCircle Room
750 S. Halsted St.

To be selected for the CPS Prep Program, students must be entering the sixth, seventh or eighth grade in September and have a 5 or above on their reading and/or mathematics scores as measured on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. Students also must have an attendance rate of 90 percent or better.

Participating eighth-grade students will have the opportunity to learn about the stock market and visit the Board of Trade. The sixth- and seventh-grade students will visit the John G. Shedd Aquarium, Brookfield Zoo, Argon National Laboratory and the Museum of Science and Industry.

The program requires every student to complete a final project for the CPS Prep Program Science and Art Fair. An exhibit of their final projects will be held July 27 at the UIC Chicago Circle Center.

UIC is one of nine universities participating in the Prep Program partnership with CPS.

With 25,000 students, the University of Illinois at Chicago is the largest and most diverse university in the Chicago area. UIC is home to the largest medical school in the United States and is one of only 88 national Research I universities. Located just west of Chicago's Loop, UIC is a vital part of the educational, technological, and cultural fabric of the area.