The Math, Science & Technology Center  (MSTC) offers a four-year program designed to develop students who are internationally competitive in mathematics and science. The MSTC program began in the 1990-1991 school year and the first graduates entered college in the fall of 1993.

Each science and mathematics course offered within MSTC is uniquely designed for students working at an advanced level. MSTC courses are faster paced than traditional courses and have curriculum design and choice of textbooks that is tailored to the advanced abilities of the students.

Courses in English, history, foreign language, and the arts, as well as a host of extracurricular activities, are available within the regular program at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. MSTC students generally pursue all of their courses at the most advanced level available. In addition to completing fifteen of twenty-two courses available within MSTC, all students must complete four years of English, three years of the same foreign language, and three years of social studies. MSTC students are well represented on nearly all athletic teams, in student government, in musical and dramatic productions, and in academic competitions in all subject areas.

 MSTC Students at UK taking a break from their reseach projects

The capstone of the MSTC program is a 360 hour research project which typically occurs at the University of Kentucky under the mentorship of a professor but can be done in a certified research facility such as Lexmark.  Students, during the first semester of their junior year, select a subject area of interest and a mentor for their project.

 The 360 hour research project includes ~150 hours gained during the second semester of their junior year, ~60 hours gained over the summer and the remaining ~150 hours during the first semester of their senior year.  The second semester of their senior year is devoted to analyzing their data, writing their research paper and working on their presentation. 

 At the end of the project, each student is required to write a major research paper and to make an oral presentation of their work to the community-at- large in mid April. The Senior Symposium represents the completion of significant body of work on the part of each student and is a time to celebrate each student’s efforts.