This summer, middle and high school students can experience life on a college campus while exploring exciting fields of study at the free 2024 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 and science facilities.
The 2024 academies will be offered by 14 Oklahoma colleges and universities in May, June, July and August. The 17 unique academies will be offered statewide and last from four 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 seven residential academies and 10 unique commuter academies.
“Oklahoma needs more STEM graduates to meet growing workforce demands,” said Chancellor Allison D. Garrett. “Our Summer Academies encourage middle school and high school students to explore STEM disciplines and prepare academically to pursue them. Students who participate in STEM Summer Academies 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 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 STEM Academy, June 16-21 and June 23-28 (Grades 9-12)
East Central University, Ada
- Molecules of Nature, June 2-7 (Grades 8-9)
- The Human Water Cycle, June 24-27 (Grades 9-12)
Murray State College, Tishomingo
- STEM Summer Academy: Unleash Your Inner Scientist at MSC Tishomingo!, June 3-7 (Grades 8-9)
Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow
- Camp Biomed: A Glowing Overview, June 24-28 (Grades 8-10)
- Get Green for Blue: Outdoor STEM Investigations Connecting Water to You!, June 24-28 (Grades 8-10)
Northeastern State University, Tahlequah
- DroneXperience Summer Academy, July 22-26 (Grades 8-12)
- Robotics for Young Scientists and Engineers, June 10-14 (Grades 9-11)
Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva
- Renewable Energy – The Future is Here – Learning & Exploring Today, May 27-31 (Grades 9-12)
Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City
- CHAMPS – Careers in Health and Medical Professions, June 26-29 (Grades 9-12)
- Lights, Camera, Action! A Digital Cinema Production Summer Academy, July 10-13 (Grades 10-12)
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee
- Emerging and Converging Technologies Summer Academy, June 2-7 (Grades 8-10)
Oral Roberts University, Tulsa
- A Hands-On Program in Mathematics and Science, June 3-7 and August 17 (Grades 8-9)
Rose State College, Midwest City
- The Human Water Cycle, June 17-20 (Grades 9-12)
Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant
- PI-STEM Summer Academy, June 3-7 (Grades 8-9)
Tulsa Community College
- TCC Summer STEM Academy: Building Your Sustainable Future, June 9-14 (Grades 9-12)
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond
- UCO Explore Engineering Summer Academy, June 3-7 or June 10-14 (Grades 8-10)
University of Oklahoma, Norman
- The Human Water Cycle, July 8-11 (Grades 9-12)
The University of Tulsa
- 2024 Cryptography Summer Academy, June 10-15 (Grades 8-9)