SSC Upward Bound Summer Academy rev up to learn with Team Thunder

Seminole State College Upward Bound Summer Academy students had the ride of their lives Tuesday when Team Thunder came to the SSC campus.
Team Thunder, based in Grove, focuses on helping students make good choices and understand how mathematics, science, technology, language arts and other subjects are applied in the real world.
On Tuesday, 150 Upward Bound summer students from 19 area high schools took part in Team Thunder’s outdoor classroom at SSC.
They got up close and personal with a NHRA-style Top Fuel dragster that roars down a quarter mile drag strip in seconds.
 The Top Fuel dragster is one of the motivational organization’s top tools used in their presentation.
There were five stations designed to help students relate knowledge gained in the classroom to real-life situations using rockets, robots, computers, airplanes and the Top Fuel dragster.
“It’s not a normal classroom, but it is the perfect place to grab students’ attention and motivate them to hit the books harder, and in the process, teach them to be better people,” said Sam Parton of Team Thunder.
“Events like Team Thunder help students answer their doubts about taking classes they feel will never use and show them how it is applied in the ‘real world.’
“We work with students to teach core concepts within the context,” said Jerry Porter of Team Thunder. 
They explain math and science topics— force, resistance, volume, pressure, ratios and percentages—as it applies through racing. 
The SSC Upward Bound Program is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education each year.
The program is for high school students in need of help with academic performance, financial aid and preparation for college. It benefits low-income families who have children wanting to further their education after graduation.
“We help students with instruction in reading, writing, study skills and other subjects necessary for success,” said Darren Wise, Upward Bound coordinator.
“Upward Bound’s main goal is to help every student be a success.”
Students may enter the Upward Bound program during their freshman and sophomore years of high school.
Meetings are scheduled regularly throughout the year to ensure the students have the extra help they need.
They are introduced to financial aid, Pell Grants, FASFA and work study.   
Upward Bound also offers a summer program that gives students the opportunity to live on campus, receive free meals and attend classes that take place Monday through Thursday.
The six-week program allows students to experience college life in a hands-on environment. 
Summer students participate in interactive enrichment classes, social activities, over night field trips and events like Team Thunder.