STEM Pre-College Program
Pre-College students participating in the
Julia Robinson Mathematics and Computing Festival
Please click the "Saturday Academy" link to the left for more information about enrollment for Spring 2023.
Mission
The Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education is pleased to support the STEM Pre-College Program at UNC Charlotte. The goal of the program is to broaden the pool of traditionally-minoritized students pursuing STEM majors and careers. Its objectives are met via enrichment activities on and off the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte primarily through: a Saturday Academy during the academic year; a Summer Scholars program annually in June/July; a research experiences program; and in-person/virtual interactions with STEM professionals. The program claims: an almost 40-year history; the 1998 United States Presidential Award for Mentoring, and alumni throughout the region, state, and country who specialize in STEM. We are the preeminent precollege experience.
Saturday Academy
The Saturday Academy Program affords middle and high school students out-of-school enrichment in STEM during the academic year. Activites are primarily conducted on Saturdays and for 2022-2023 will also include "Virtual Thursdays" where students will connect with support staff, guest speakers, and their peers via Zoom. Students, grades six (6) through twelve (12), are engaged in:
- Field trips
- Lectures and demonstrations by UNC Charlotte Faculty/Staff/Students
- Lego robotics
- Math competitions
- SAT/ACT preparation
- Science Fair
- Science Olympiad
- Tutoring
- and much more
The enrollment fee is $50 per semester (fall and spring).
Please click the "Saturday Academy" ink to the left for more information about enrollment for Fall 2022.
Summer Scholars
The Summer Scholars program includes STEM weekly engagements with a target audience of middle and high school students during the month of July. Programming is centered upon STEM, the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, and the mathematics and science classes your child will take in the fall of 2023. Parents and students may register for each weekly engagement independently. The target audience is rising 6th grade students through 12th grade. High school participants will engage in programming from July 17-21 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and middle school scholars will participate from July 24-28 also from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Enrollment will take place from February 1 through March 31, 2024. The maximum capacity for each week is 50 pre-college students.
Interested parents and students will need to apply by providing:
- a completed application;
- a copy of medical insurance card;
- teacher recommendation; and
- transcript/most recent report card.
Middle School-July 24-28 - Apply Here
High School-July 17-21 - Apply Here
Cost each week: $150.00 per scholar
Refund Policy: All refund requests must be submitted via email to stem-precollege@uncc.edu and received 30 days prior to the start date of the program. No refunds will be granted within 30 days of the event. Refund request will take 2-3 weeks to process. There are no refunds for no-shows.
Science Olympiad Experience
The Center for STEM Education and Campus on Campus are pleased to offer the Science Olympiad Experience at UNC Charlotte for middle school and high school students. Participating scholars will have the unique opportunity to engage in hands-on, STEM-related activities based on the national Science Olympiad competition. Science Olympiad follows a problem-based learning approach to solving challenges that encourage critical thinking skills, experimentation, logic, and collaboration in a non-threatening environment.
Events such as Anatomy and Physiology, Dynamic Planet, Can’t Judge a Powder, Bridge, Crime Busters, Disease Detectives, Codebusters, and many more represent challenges that reflect real-world applications and subject matter in the classroom. Instruction supporting the event will be delivered by a professional with expertise in that particular area and event.
Middle School-June 19-23 - Apply Here
High School-June 26-30 - Apply Here
Cost each week: $250.00 per scholar
Refund Policy: All refund requests must be submitted via email to stem-precollege@uncc.edu and received 30 days prior to the start date of the program. No refunds will be granted within 30 days of the event. Refund request will take 2-3 weeks to process. There are no refunds for no-shows.
Summer Bridge Program
The Center for STEM Education will also host the Summer Bridge Program specifically targeting rising 6th grade students to help them prepare for middle school. In an effort to assist with this transition, scholars will be exposed to: middle school and university settings; partipate in STEM-enrichment classes; guest speakers; tours; and immersed in topics centered on social/emotional well-being. We look forward to your participation. Rising 6th grade students will engage in programming from July 10-14 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Enrollment will take place from February 1 through March 31, 2024. The maximum capacity is 50 pre-college students.
Interested parents and students will need to apply by providing:
- a completed application;
- a copy of medical insurance card;
- teacher recommendation; and
- transcript/most recent report card.
Middle School-July 10-14 - Apply Here
Cost each week: $150.00 per scholar
Refund Policy: All refund requests must be submitted via email to stem-precollege@uncc.edu and received 30 days prior to the start date of the program. No refunds will be granted within 30 days of the event. Refund request will take 2-3 weeks to process. There are no refunds for no-shows.
STEM Research Experience Program
The STEM Pre-College Program will host its Research Experience Program starting in February through November 2023. High school juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to be paired with a scientist mentor for an intensive summer research experience where they will be responsible for producing several products related to STEM, the research agenda of their scientist mentor, and engage in multiple events that will showcase their research experience and findings. The application process will open in January 2023.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the program, please email stem-precollege@uncc.edu or call (704) 687-8726.
