March 8, 2023

Media Contact

This summer, middle and high school students can live on a college campus while exploring exciting fields of study at the free 2023 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 2023 academies will be offered by 16 Oklahoma colleges and universities in May, June, July, and August. The 20 academies will be offered statewide and most 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. This year, there are 14 residential academies and six commuter academies.

“Oklahoma needs more STEM graduates to meet tomorrow’s workforce demands. Our Summer Academies encourage middle school and high school students to explore and prepare academically for STEM disciplines,” said Chancellor Allison D. Garrett. “Participants in STEM Summer Academies learn skills that will benefit them in school and in life, and are more likely to enroll in college and earn a degree.”

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. The academies are not exclusively for top students, but instead are designed to give all students an opportunity to increase their interest and confidence in STEM fields 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

  • NanoExplorers: A High School Summer Science Academy, June 18-23 and June 25-30 (Grades 9-12)

East Central University, Ada

  • Explorations in Computer Science and Robotics, June 11-15 (Grades 8-12)
  • Mapping Water Stories, June 5-9 (Grades 8-12)

Langston University, Langston

  • An Intensive Summer Academy in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Technology for Grades 10-12, May 28-June 10 (Grades 10-12)

Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow

  • Get Green for Blue: STEM Investigations Connecting Water to You, May 30-June 3 (Grades 8-10)
  • Camp Biomed: A Glowing Overview, June 12-16 (Grades 8-10)

Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa

  • Soaring Into Summer, June 11-16 (Grades 8-9)

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa

  • OKStars and NativeOKStars, June 5-July 14 (Grades 11-12)

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee

  • Emerging and Converging Technologies Summer Academy, June 4-9 (Grades 8-10)

Oral Roberts University, Tulsa

  • Oral Roberts University Summer Math and Science Academy, June 5-9 and August 19 (Grades 8-9)

Rose State College, Midwest City

  • Making an Online Shopping Cart and Database, June 26-30 (Grades 8-12)

Seminole State College, Seminole

  • Peek Into Engineering, July 23-28 (Grades 9-12)

Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant

  • PI-STEM Summer Academy, June 5-9 (Grades 8-9)

Tulsa Community College

  • TCC Summer STEM Academy, June 11-16 (Grades 9-12)

University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond

  • ESTEEM-Builder for Emerging Careers, June 1-5 (Grades 9-12)

University of Oklahoma, Norman

  • The Oklahoma Mesonet – Meteorology Sweeping Down the Plains, June 11-16 (Grades 9-11)
  • Design in Action: Creativity, Innovation, and Sustainability Shaping the Built Environment, June 4-9 (Grades 9-10)
  • Earth Cycles: The Geology of Carbon, Water, and Life, June 25-30 (Grades 8-10)

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha

  • Where Does Our Food Come From and How Does it Get There? June 26-30 or July 10-14 (Grades 8-9)

The University of Tulsa

  • 2023 Cryptography Summer Academy, June 19-24 (Grades 8-9)