The 4th Annual STEM Excelleration Experience Program will be held starting on Monday, July 9, 2012, and will run through Saturday, July 28, 2012. The three (3) week program, a partnership between HoustonWorks USA STEM Institute and Shell, is designed to provide 100 area school students (grades 6-9th) with real world experiences and hands-on activities focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The program site (TBA) will be held on a university campus here in Houston. In the past, previous program sites included Texas Southern University and the University of Houston.
Our major partners for this year’s program are: Shell, NASA, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Students will receive several hours of classroom instruction, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:00pm. The program also includes three (3) scheduled field trips on Fridays. Eight (8) qualified STEM instructors will work closely with students giving them a deeper understanding of how to compete in a global economy. Some of the most powerful lessons STEM students will experience are activities designed to enrich and expand their learning through active practical experience. This year’s curriculum will concentrate on the following topics:
- Energy & Energy Conservation
- Introduction To Engineering
- Aeronautics & Rocketry
- Robotics
- Earth Science
- Life Skills (Improving Study Habits, Setting Goals, Teambuilding, etc.)
The program offers a learning environment which will encourage students to identify and solve problems while increasing their knowledge in STEM related subjects. The major objective throughout the program is to educate, motivate, encourage and prepare students to start thinking seriously about a college major/curriculum in a STEM field.
All students who successfully complete the program’s guidelines (attendance, conduct, and participation) will receive a stipend. Additional information regarding the program’s policies and procedures will be discussed at the Parent/Student Orientation.
HoustonWorks USA (HWUSA), a national leader in workforce development, is dedicated to building a high-quality, high performance workforce. So it is fitting that HWUSA provides our youth with insight into today’s labor market competition. As a part of our curriculum, all STEM students will participate in a Life Skills Course. The course is designed to provide them with the necessary tools to develop transferable skills. Our motivational speakers will engage students on how best to set goals and enhance their soft skills in areas such as: communication, coping techniques, networking, decision making, and teambuilding.
The STEM Institute was created in 2008. The program’s vision is to inspire and challenge students grades K-12, to pursue STEM courses and to meet the high academic standards to prepare them for a college education. Over the past four (4) year’s SHELL has invested financially in the program’s success. Today, the Institute is partnering with several stakeholders including: Texas Southern University, University of Houston, NASA, and Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA).
ELIGIBILITY
The program eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Must be entering the 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grade by the fall of 2012
- Must fully complete and submit the application form, including the Teacher’s Referral Form. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Must submit a type written essay, 300 to 500 words. The topic “How Has Today’s Technology Impacted Your Life?”
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale. Must submit a copy of the most current transcript (report card) verifying GPA.
- Must have an interest in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM)
- Must attend the mandatory Parent/Student Orientation Meeting (student and at least one parent/guardian)
- Application must be submitted by Friday, April 20, 2012. The application must be postmarked by or before the designated date.
IMPORTANT DATES
Please check your summer vacation schedule before submitting the application. Students cannot enroll if one parent/guardian, along with the student, does not attend the Parent/Student Orientation Meeting. All students who apply will be notified, via email, by May 21, 2012.
- Friday, April 20, 2012 – Application deadline (Must be postmarked by designated date)
- Monday, May 21, 2012 – Selection of Participants’ Announcement – Via Email
- Tuesday, May 29, 2012 – Acceptance Conformation by parent
- Saturday, June 23, 2012 – Mandatory Parent/Student Orientation
- Monday – July 9, 2012 – First Day of Class
- Friday, July 27, 2012 – Last Day of Class
- Saturday – July 28, 2012 – Closing Ceremony
If you have any question(s), please feel free to contact Francheska Williams at 713-226-7775, ext. 160 or e-mail us at STEM@houstonworks.org.