This summer, middle and high school students can experience life on a college campus while exploring exciting and varied fields of study at the free 2018 Summer Academies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
STEM Summer Academies, sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, are open to upcoming eighth- through 12th-graders. Each academy explores the latest trends in science, technology, engineering and math through fun, hands-on activities and innovative software as students experiment both in the classroom and outdoors. Many academies also include field trips to some of the state’s top companies, science facilities and museums.
The academies will be offered on 17 of Oklahoma’s college and university campuses in May, June, July, and August. Twenty-five different academies will be offered statewide and last from five days to two weeks. Some academies require students to live in the campus residence halls, while others require that students travel to and from campus each day.
“For 28 years, our Summer Academies have provided students in middle school and high school the opportunity to experience life on a college campus while exploring careers in the STEM fields,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “These students are afforded the opportunity to study with top college and university professors and experience hands-on learning in STEM fields beyond what they’ve experienced in a traditional classroom setting. STEM Summer Academies participants are more likely to attend college, require less remediation and earn their college degrees.”
Applications are now being accepted for the academies, and many have deadlines. Because the academies are free and enrollment is limited, students are encouraged to apply early. To qualify, students must be entering eighth through 12th grade this fall. Officials emphasize the academies are not exclusive to top students, but instead are designed to give all students an opportunity to increase their interest and confidence in science, technology, engineering and math and, ultimately, expand their career and educational aspirations.
Academy descriptions and contact information are available at www.okhighered.org/summer-academies. Students can also get information from their school counselors or by calling (800) 858-1840.
Academies offered this summer include:
Cameron University, Lawton
Science Detectives Summer Academy: Crime Scene Investigation, May 29-June 2 (Grades 8-10)
NanoExplorers: A High School Summer Science Academy, June 3-9 (Grades 9-12)
East Central University, Ada
Explorations in Computer Science and Robotics, June 11-14 (Grades 8-12)
You Are What You Eat: Isolation and Analysis of Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Lipids in the Biochemistry Laboratory, June 12-14 (Grades 8-9)
Langston University, Langston
- Langston University Intensive Academy for Math, Science and Technology for Grades 10-12, June 3-16 (Grades 10-12)
Murray State College, Tishomingo
- 2017 MSC Summer College STEM Academy, June 4-7 (Grades 8-12)
Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow
- Get Green for Blue: Outdoor STEM Investigations Connecting Water to You, June 11-14 (Grades 8-10)
Northeastern State University, Tahlequah
- Summer Robotics Academy, June 4-8 (Grades 8-11)
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
- Camp TURF (Tomorrow’s Undergraduates Realizing the Future), June 3-15 (Grades 9-10)
- It’s a Polymer Life: Polymers of Everyday Life Summer Academy, June 13-15 (Grades 10-12)
- Exploring the Benefits of Human-Animal Interaction and Bonding Processes, June 24-June 30 (Grades 9-10)
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee
- Emerging and Converging Technologies Summer Academy, June 16-19 (Grades 8-10)
Oral Roberts University, Tulsa
- A Hands-On Program in Mathematics and Science, June 4-6 (Grades 8-9)
Seminole State College
- Peek Into Engineering, July 29-Aug. 3 (Grades 9-12)
Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford
- Southwestern Summer Science and Mathematics Academy, June 10-15 (Grades 11-12)
Tulsa Community College
- MASH (Math and Science Health Careers Camp), June 18-22 (Grades 9-11)
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond
- CSI Academy, August 1-5 (Grades 9-12)
- Be an Engineer: Change the World, June 4-8 (Grades 8-10)
University of Oklahoma, Norman
- Collaborate, Create, Construct! Innovation Shaping the Built Environment, June 11-15 (Grades 9-10)
- Oklahoma Mesonet: Mostly Weather With a Chance of Fun; June 18-22 (Grades 9-10)
- Starship: Exploration, June 25-29 (Grade 8)
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
- Exploring Math and Science Academy (EMSA) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), June 11-15 (Grade 9)
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha
- Where Does Our Food Come From and How Did It Get There? Session I: June 18-22; Session II: June 25-29 (Grades 8-9)
The University of Tulsa
- Summer Engineering Academy at The University of Tulsa, June 26-30 (Grades 8-11)
- Technology Education and Collaborative (TEC), July 10-15 (Grades 8-9)