General Information
June 23–28, 2024
The STEM Summer Institute (SSI) Program is a one-week residential academic program for rising 6–12th graders, respectively in the Hampton Roads area who express a desire to pursue a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The program provides students with information and research experience in various fields of Bioenergy, materials engineering, and medicine in order to acquaint them with the requirements for pursuing a career in STEM. Students participate in engineering related classroom projects and blend materials engineering and medical research to solve real world problems. All students enjoy visiting local area firms to witness firsthand, the work of engineers and scientist as well as attend lectures by practicing engineers in various fields.
- STEM Exploration (Rising 6th & 7th Grader)
- STEM Exploration II (Rising 8th & 9th Grader)
- Technology Exploration (Rising 10th & 11th Grader)
- Research in Bioengineering (Rising 12th Grader)
STEM Exploration: The STEM Exploration introduces students to the practice of science and engineering and familiarizes them with Science and Engineering as a profession. Practicing engineers are invited to talk to the students about their job and arrangements will be made for the students to visit Busch Gardens. They will also participate in science and engineering related projects and present them at the closing ceremonies.
STEM Exploration II: The STEM Exploration II is an expansion of STEM Exploration I. Students will take a deeper dive into Science and Engineering as a profession. STEM Exploration II is aimed at cultivating the scientific method in all aspects of the research projects. In addition, the students will attend engineering seminars given by professionals. Arrangements will be made for the students to tour local industries and businesses and visit Busch Gardens.
Technology Exploration: Technology Exploration is designed to encourage students who are interested in engineering, medicine, physics, chemistry, materials science, biology, or any relevant sciences. Every facet of STEM utilizes cutting edge technology to advance research. This program will introduce students to different facets of computational research and give them skills to help them pursue scientific research as a potential career, and to prepare these students for undergraduate studies in a higher-Education Institution.
Research in Bioengineering:This intensive research program exposes students to research design in bioenergy harnessing and cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. The students will be given the opportunity to apply their design process with a sound academic basis that is integrated with their theoretical knowledge to bring useful diagnostic and therapeutic tools to reality. The topical integration is reflected in the design of self-powered sensors and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools for breast cancer.
Student Selection
Students who apply for the program should meet the following criteria:
- Be a member of an underrepresented group in STEM: African American, American Indian, Hispanic, Female, Socioeconomically Disadvantaged
- Be interested in learning about STEM as a career
- Be academically talented, especially in science and mathematics
Registration
Participates may submit applications and supporting documents beginning February 15, 2024. Deadline for application and supporting documents is Friday, March 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Late or incomplete applications will not be processed.
Complete application must include the following:
- Completed Application
- Essay
- Transcript of current grades, and current achievement test scores
- School official recommendation
- Incomplete applications received after the deadline will not be processed
Tuition
A non-refundable program fee of $1,000 is required. The fees will help to offset administrative costs incurred to run the STEM Summer Institute Program. Included in the fees is the field trips (Please email Victoria Ansah for more information). A $30 fee will be charged for all checks returned for insufficient funds. This fee covers charges SSIP incurs from the bank(s).