STEM Summer Programs

The Center for STEM Education is offering three programs for middle and high school students this summer: The Young Scholars program, the NU Summer STEM Program for middle school students and Imaging the Future of Transporation for 9th and 10th grade high school students.

The Center received over 500 applications for all three programs. Each of these program accepts students in a commuting distance to the campus. Thirty-four High School students were accepted to the YSP program to conduct research (in teams) in 17 different research laboratories on our campus. Students are drawn from public and private schools across the metropolitan region.  Students are spending six weeks here at Northeastern and wrap up their summer program with a culminating research presentation/poster session.

The Young Scholars Program at Northeastern University provides a diverse group of high school students who have demonstrated proficiency and interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with the opportunity to partake in a paid college laboratory research experience. The requirements of acceptance to the program are strong academic credentials and a well-rounded balance of extra-curricular activities. The program seeks to ensure that students with a demonstrated interest and ability in STEM are provided an opportunity to participate in a comprehensive research experience before completing high school. Offering this program free of charge, with a small stipend to offset transportation costs, enables all invited students to take advantage of this opportunity. Supporting program components and the execution of these elements distinguishes it from many similar summer research programs offered at universities around the country. The framework of the supporting features of Northeastern University’s program is what enables participants to succeed in the labs, build self-efficacy in STEM and prepare them for their academic journey into college. The weekly schedule is supported through morning homerooms during which a variety of topics and activities are introduced, in addition to lunchtime technical seminars, and field trips to local companies and research facilities. Utilizing formative evaluations, such as weekly reflections to inform program design and implementation, allows staff to make adjustments that might be necessary to ensure a high level of participant and faculty satisfaction with the program. In addition, surveys are administered at the close of the summer program and annually to program alumni to ensure all program goals continue to be met. In their laboratory assignments, participants are guided and supported by a collaborative team of faculty, graduate and undergraduate student mentors.  Mentors are provided a variety of resources to support their mentoring role prior to and throughout the summer experience. Participating faculty are also encouraged to share best practices across laboratories. This vertical mentoring approach ensures adequate guidance and support is provided to all participants both during and after completion of the summer program, ensuring participants develop confidence in STEM in addition to reinforcing their technical and scientific knowledge. Specific attention to these complementary and supporting aspects of the research program is what assures that all members succeed within an advanced laboratory environment and are provided with the additional tools and information necessary for college and career success.

Additional information re: these programs and other initiatives at The Center for STEM can be found at www.stem.neu.edu