Utah State University established STARS! (Science, Technology, Arithmetic, Reading, Students) GEAR UP collaborative connections with academic, community, and business partners. The partnerships are the foundation of the work that we do to increase high school graduation rates, and create a pipeline of academically-prepared students enrolling and succeeding in college.
The USU STARS! GEAR UP project partners with departments, colleges and universities, local organizations and nationally renowned educational companies to help build an educational pipeline for students to realize their college dreams. By building a supporting network made up of schools, parents, businesses, and community organizations, we are committed to empowering all GEAR UP students for success. Partnerships developed since grant implementation in 2012 include:
USU Partnerships
Center for the School of the Future
The Center for the School of the Future collaborates with the USU STARS! GEAR UP program as part of its mission focused on learning outcome-oriented systems in support of public district and charter schools.
College of Education and Human Services
USU STARS! GEAR UP is housed in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University. The college itself provides teaching, service, and research in a variety of disciplines to improve teaching and learning wherever it takes place.
College of Engineering
USU STARS! GEAR UP is luckly to have a robust partnership with the College of Engineering at Utah State University. The college provides summer camp opportunities for grants 2 and 3 of the program. In addition to the hands-on experience students receive, chaperones are provided essential professional development that will make them more impactful in the classroom.
College of Science
The College of Science at Utah State University partners with USU STARS! GEAR UP to put on the Biology in Life summer experience. Students learn about careers within the wide field of biology, while getting hands-on lab experience with CRISPR technology.
Academic Success Center
The Academic Success Center, housed in USU's Academic & Instructional Services, has helped USU STARS! GEAR UP provide a great learning experience for students during its annual Transition Camp. The folks from the Academic Success Center share tips and tools to make sure students are prepared for the rigors of high school.
School of Teacher Education & Leadership
The USU STARS! GEAR UP program is housed in the School of Teacher Education & Leadership at Utah State University. Their support and resources help to make the grant possible.
University Extension
USU Extention provides student engagement activities to serve USU GEAR UP students. Whether by providing a career experience in Salt Lake City, or a summer workshop in Sanpete County - these folks help to meet our students in their own communities.
Community Partnerships
UCET | Utah Coalition for Educational Technology
UCET promotes the cooperative development and effective use of information technology in Utah’s schools. They also provide training to teachers throughout the state - USU GEAR UP teachers among them.
UCTE | Utah Council of Teachers of English
UCTE provides English Language Arts teachers from high schools and junior high schools, including USU GEAR UP schools, in the state of Utah with opportunities to improve teaching.
UCTM | Utah Council of Teachers of Mathematics
UCTM is a professional organization of educators, individually and collectively dedicated to the improvement of classroom instruction in mathematics at all levels. They also provide valuable professional development for teachers at USU GEAR UP schools.
Utah Governor’s Office of Energy Development
The Utah Governor’s Office of Energy Development is the sponsor for the Mountain West Grand Prix which USU GEAR UP students participate in annually.
UtSTA | Utah Science Teachers Association
UtSTA's main goal is bettering science education in the State of Utah. They regularly provide information, support, hands-on events, professional development, and more to Utah science teachers and their students.
Utah Space Grant Consortium
Associates of the Utah Space Grant Consortium regularly put on the GEAR UP Science Day providing professional development and hands on tools for science teachers.
Utah System of Higher Education
The Utah System of Higher Education regularly provides professional development to teachers in USU GEAR UP schools.
Business Partnerships
AVID | Advancement Via Individual Determination
A number of GEAR UP schools have implemented AVID curriciulum. The nonprofit aims to help schools shift to a more equitable, student-centered approach.
FOCUS Training
FOCUS Training is an interactive leadership development company that has been helping people achieve excellence through understanding and action for nearly 30 years. They have partnered with GEAR UP for a number of camps and events.
GreenpowerUSA
GreenpowerUSA's goal is to advance education in the subjects of sustainable engineering and technology to young people. GEAR UP partner's with them annually for the Mountain West Grand Prix event for students.
MasteryPrep
Schools partner with MasteryPrep to provide ACT training and bootcamps for students.
RGI Corporation
RGI provides USU GEAR UP grants with support in grant writing and grant evaluation.
Shmoop
GEAR UP schools utilize Shmoop for free access for educational and social skill training. Shmoop also provides ACT prep, AP class tutoring, and career exploration opportunities.
SignalVine
SignalVine is a platform used by USU GEAR UP to communicate widely with students in the program.
Siemens
Siemens provides students participating in the annual Mountain West Grand Prix with cutting edge software as they design and build their electric cars.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments has worked with USU GEAR UP to provide teachers with professional development and tools that aid them in their classrooms.
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review is a great resource for GEAR UP students by providing online tutoring support and social/emotional awareness training as they transition to college.
Virtual Job Shadow
Virtual Job Shadow provided Grant One students with an online platform with hundreds of engaging videos to help students explore various career options.
Xcaliber Inc.
Xcaliber provides database software used by USU GEAR UP to track goals and objectives.
Previous Partnerships
- Access & Diversity Center
- Center for Intersectional Gender Studies & Research
- College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
- Electric Vehicle Roadway & Research Facility (EVR)
- Hill Air Force Base
- Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences
- iTutor
- Northrup Grumman
- Paradigm Shift
- Space Dynamics Laboratory
- StepUp Utah
- Student Affairs
- United Way
- Ute Indian Tribe Education Department