The Upward Bound Program of Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Montana involves students from high schools in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Whitefish and Bigfork. It is a college preparation and leadership program that assists qualified high school students gain the skills needed to enter and complete a four-year college degree.

    There are two components: The Academic Year Program and the Summer Program. The Academic Year Program consists of weekly sessions with a school coordinator to work on academics, college preparation, scholarships and financial aid; bimonthly meetings at FVCC to participate in workshops designed to develop skills necessary for successful high school and college life; Saturday College classes, campus visits, social and cultural events and community services. The six-week Summer Program consists of core classes in English, math and science for which students earn high school credit. Afternoons are spent in elective classes such as Tae Kwon Do, life sports, dance and rock climbing. 

    Jean Ervin’s “Math in Real Life” classes explored The National Math Trail and generated their own FVCC Math Trail during the summer of 2001. Students were instructed to walk about the campus with an investigative eye in search of potential math-related activities. They spent 3 days gathering data, taking photos and working on rough drafts. Another 3 days were spent in the computer lab completing the projects. 

    The projects are student-generated and created. We submit sample projects from each of the three math classes. Have fun on this little stroll around the FVCC campus.

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