Conventional science and math education in the US seems to be missing the mark, statistics show. Students lack the in-depth knowledge and skills required to build a successful career in a STEM field later on.
Luckily, opportunities exist to help students catch up and gain a deeper understanding of scientific or technical principles.
Summer STEM programs or camps have a very different focus from what the typical school curriculum emphasizes. Hands-on projects and activities make math, sciences, life sciences, and engineering disciplines more accessible and easier to understand. Through such hands-on learning experiences, students can develop a passion and a love for STEM fields that will lead to life-defining choices later on.
The following guide will highlight the diverse range of summer STEM programs available and provide useful tips on the following:
- How summer STEM camps can benefit your professional development
- The differences between the numerous summer STEM programs
- The benefits of having such hands-on, immersive experiences
- How to choose the best STEM program to match your proclivities
- Easy strategies to maximize your chances of acceptance in a highly competitive program
Summer STEM Programs: Main Benefits
Students who are already showing an interest in STEM careers should most definitely consider summer programs that have a scientific focus.
The most important benefits of such science programs include:
- Independent exploration: Summer camps are less structured and rigid than the high school curriculum. Program participants can choose fun hands-on activities and projects that portray the application of STEM principles in real life.
- Teamwork: Apart from learning core STEM principles, talented students participating in the program will also acquire essential soft skills – problem-solving, teamwork skills, critical thinking skills, independent research, and communication skills to name a few.
- A better understanding of innovation: Very often, summer STEM camps focus on disciplines like mechanical engineering, molecular biology, computational biology, biomedical engineering, robotics, and various other fields that have benefited from an immense level of innovation in the past years. Guest speakers and hands-on research projects in various fields of science teach future scientists the vast potential for innovation that can shape their career pursuits.
- A chance to explore multiple career paths: Summer STEM camps give students a chance to get introduced to multiple disciplines. A couple of STEM careers are already popular but the employment opportunities in the field are immense. Having access to niche disciplines and technologies can spark curiosity and enable a niche academic/career pursuit in the future.
Types of Programs
Summer STEM program is a rather broad term that applies to numerous opportunities. If you’re interested in this type of learning opportunity to enjoy over the summer, consider its multiple variations first:
- University-led programs: Prestigious universities develop their own STEM summer learning opportunities for students. Currently, some of the best-rated university-led programs are offered by Stanford University, Boston University, Indiana University, Purdue University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Industry partnerships: School-industry partnerships also result in excellent opportunities for eligible students. Collaborations with industry leaders and tech innovators can be tremendously inspiring for high-achieving students, giving them access to hands-on experience and real-life examples of what STEM knowledge can be used to accomplish.
- Research and internship programs: An actual internship for school juniors and seniors takes them deeper into the world of practical STEM applications. Internships allow students to apply their classroom STEM knowledge to real-world problems while also gaining technical skills and a better understanding of this professional path.
- Online courses: While hands-on labs are an important part of the experience, program participants can opt for online STEM summer programs. Online programs for high school students give them a chance to complete some of the most reputable learning opportunities, even if they live in a distant location. Online programs come with added flexibility while still inspiring and educating in the most innovative virtual settings.
Looking for more interesting study programs? Discover The Benefits of Study Abroad Programs.
How to Find the Best Pre-College Summer Programs
To find the best program for the summer, you’ll first need to educate yourself on the opportunities and determine which STEM area appeals to you the most. Having made these decisions, you’ll find it much easier to sort through the choices and pinpoint the summer camps worth applying to.
You’ll also need to acquaint yourself with essentials like:
- The competitiveness of the program and your eligibility
- The application requirements and whether you meet all of them
- Application deadline and application form specifics
- Whether the program is offered by a licensed, reputable institution
- The result you’ll get out of the program (a letter of recommendation for college, for example, is a nice thing to get as evidence of the work you’ve done)
- The cost of the summer STEM program
Making Sure You’re Chosen for a Reputable, Competitive Summer Program
The hands-on research experience acquired through the most competitive pre-college summer programs appeals to many ambitious students. You’ll face stiff competition. To make your application successful, you’ll have to prioritize a few parts of the process.
Start the application early enough. Many competitive programs have rolling admissions and the sooner you get started, the better. Keep track of program dates and the application deadlines for each opportunity you’re interested in.
Do your best to maintain good grades and a diverse extracurricular profile at school. All these things matter when it comes to being granted access and receiving financial assistance.
In some instances, you’ll also be asked to write an application essay. Take some time to draft a cohesive, honest, and personalized text. If possible, get letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors who can vouch for your interest and passion in STEM.
Some institutions and universities have very specific summer STEM program application instructions. Use these as a checklist and don’t omit steps. The more diligent you are, the higher the chance of distinguishing yourself from the rest of the competition.
Getting ready for college? Here are 5 Things to Do the Summer Before College.
Start Building Your Academic Future Now: Let Us Help You!
Are you already thinking about your college application? Do you have distinctive career pursuits that depend on your performance in high school and eventual college admission? Adding a summer STEM program to your resume is a great way to establish yourself as a talented, ambitious, and valuable addition to any academic team.
Our Morzep coaches can guide you through all of the important steps you’ll need to complete to get closer to your dreams. Having years of experience and depending on a tailored approach, we make it possible for students to unleash their full potential and realize their dreams. Contact us now to learn more about the Morzep approach.
