Salime was one of 75 college students whose ardour for science was ignited this 12 months by way of the BOOST program. In addition to her curiosity in STEM, she additionally enjoys specializing in her creativity by way of drawing.
A couple of years in the past, when Salime walked into Holt Elementary School in Durham as an English as a Second Language (ESL) pupil, excelling in science and expertise felt like a distant dream. However, because of BOOST, a program that fosters alternatives in science and expertise, she is now thriving. The language barrier was vital, however BOOST (Building Opportunities and Overtures in Science and Technology) gave her what she wanted most: empowerment, perception, mentorship, and a culturally responsive studying atmosphere.
As a pupil in Durham Public Schools’ School for Creative Studies and Research Triangle Charter, Salime gave a standout presentation on Ecuadorian volcanoes at this 12 months’s fifteenth annual BOOST Science Symposium held in May. The mission skillfully intertwined scientific exploration together with her cultural id, inspiring her to write down a poem. The poem, “Peregrinaje de un Corazón” (Pilgrimage of a Heart), weaves collectively her experiences, recollections, and resilience. “Representing the erupting volcano,” she writes, “was a way to honor my origins and faith.”
Salime’s journey — from an ESL pupil at Holt Elementary to a assured science presenter — embodies BOOST’s mission to foster inclusive, culturally responsive STEM schooling.
Salime was only one of 75 college students whose ardour for science was ignited this 12 months by way of BOOST. Her story displays the program’s affect in 2025.
This 12 months, BOOST launched a brand new cycle of Science Saturdays, hosted its fifteenth Science Symposium, welcomed new cohorts throughout summer time immersion, and reunited alumni to strengthen group ties.
Celebrating 20+ Years of Impact
Founded by the late Brenda Armstrong, MD, greater than twenty years in the past, BOOST is a multidimensional program designed to excite younger folks about science and encourage careers in drugs and associated fields.
Middle college students from Durham Public Schools spend months immersed in analysis, experimentation, and mentorship with college students from Duke University, North Carolina Central University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Durham Tech, and different universities. The expertise culminates in the annual BOOST Science Symposium, the place college students showcase their discoveries. In 2025, the symposium showcased the work of 19 pupil squads.
“BOOST has evolved from a program into a community,” stated Douglass Coleman, program director for BOOST, including that the expertise is mutually transformative. “Young people like Salime help us to grow as educators, as much as we provide space and an opportunity for her to grow. BOOST could not have sustained 20 years of successful STEM mentoring without the contributions of students like Salime.”
A Year of Innovation and Inspiration
Highlights of the 12 months additionally included BOOST’s 2025 Science Saturday sequence, with the first occasion happening at the Trent Semans Center in September.
Also, the BOOST Launch and Immersion Week, held throughout the summer time, welcomed new cohorts of sixth to eighth-grade students. These college students engaged in immersive STEM experiences led by native educators and group companions. Activities ranged from robotics and dragster design to area journeys that provided real-world publicity to STEM careers. The program’s tiered curriculum, which teams college students by grade stage into three cohorts, centered on growing scientific inquiry, speculation testing, and a deeper understanding of STEM ideas.
In May, BOOST hosted its annual Alumni Reunion, bringing collectively 25 alumni and present members. The occasion celebrated the program’s legacy and its function in creating enduring pathways to STEM careers. Highlights included intergenerational dialogues, cultural delicacies from an alumna’s household enterprise, and the launch of WhatsApp channels to maintain the group related. The reunion underscored BOOST’s dedication to mentorship and lifelong studying.
BOOST continues to construct confidence, competence, and connection — shaping the next generation of STEM leaders in Durham and past.