Oklahoma is looking for middle and high school students who choose to accept a high-tech intelligence mission this summer. They can gather crime scene evidence, build a robot or unlock secret codes, just to name a few activities. It’s part of the 2005 Summer Academies in Math and Science coordinated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
The free academies offer upcoming eighth through 12th graders an opportunity to visit a college campus, meet new friends and study the latest trends in math and science.
Students can choose from 30 academies statewide. Each academy explores career fields in math and science, like astronomy, architecture or information technology. Students study on Oklahoma college campuses with professors and mentors. The academies last from three days to two weeks, and depending on the academy, students live on campus or commute from home.
“The Summer Academies are very popular year after year,” Chancellor Paul G. Risser said. “They’re a great way for young people to experience life on a college campus, study with top professors and explore hands-on learning that surpasses anything they’ve experienced in a traditional classroom. And, all this experience is available at no cost to their families.”
Applications are accepted now, and many have deadlines. Because the academies are free and enrollment is limited, students are encouraged to apply early. Applications and descriptions of the academies are available online at www.okhighered.org/student-center. Students also can get information from their school counselors or by calling 800.858.1840.
Public and independent colleges and universities compete to host the academies each year by submitting proposals to the State Regents. The requests are then reviewed by a committee of educators, representing both secondary and higher education, and sent to the State Regents for final approval. Using the recommendations, the State Regents approved 30 academies for 2005. This year’s academies are being funded through appropriations to the State Regents by the 2004 Oklahoma Legislature.
Academies offered this summer include:
Connors State College, Muskogee
East Central University, Ada
Langston University, Langston
Murray State College, Tishomingo
Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow
Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City
Oklahoma State University Technical Branch – Okmulgee
Oklahoma State University – Tulsa
Oral Roberts University, Tulsa
Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, and Seminole State College
Seminole State College
St. Gregory’s University, Shawnee
Tulsa Community College, Northeast Campus
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond
University of Oklahoma, Norman
University of Oklahoma Biological Station (near Lake Texoma)
The University of Tulsa
Western Oklahoma State College, Altus