The weeklong residential academic program was designed and created by the GEAR UP coordinators and staff.  The focus was to provide first-hand experience into S.T.E.M. careers, while living on a college campus.  For seven days students followed a tightly regimented schedule to absorb the college culture. Academic course topics were provided by several UCSD professional departments and student organizations, including: Neuroscience, Health, Math Exploration, Pharmaceutical studies and Biomedical Engineering.

The afternoons were set aside for college knowledge and exploration. Students learned how they can prepare now to make every day count for success later in college. Special field trips took students to UCSD School of Medicine, Salk Institut, and the Moores Cancer Center.

One of the camp’s highlight was the chance to attend a lecture at the world renowned Salk Institute. There, the 158 GEAR UP students heard about the new breakthrough of the p53 gene, as it relates to the cure for cancer.

The Palomar College GEAR UP residential S.T.E.M. component is in partnership with Palomar Pomerado Health Development, and funded in part by a three-year grant from the California Wellness Foundation.

Pictured is a group of students from the four GEAR UP sites:  San Marcos and Mission Hills High, Vista and Rancho Buena Vista High.  Center is Scotti Grant, RN, MAS - Nurse Manager, UC San Diego Thornton Hospital. To learn more on GEAR UP, visit  www.palomar.edu/gearup or contact Director Calvin One Deer Gavin at 760-744-1150.