APRIL 3, 2009 - Applications Now Accepted for Free Summer Academies on College Campuses

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Middle and high school students can experience life on a college campus while exploring exciting careers in math, science and technology by attending a free summer academy at one of Oklahoma’s colleges and universities.

The 2009 Summer Academies in Math, Science and Technology are being offered at 17 of Oklahoma’s colleges and universities in June, July and August. Twenty-two different academies are offered statewide, each lasting from four days to two weeks. Several academies allow students to live in the campus residence halls, while others let students travel to and from campus each day.

The free academies, sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, are open to upcoming eighth through 12th graders. Each academy explores the latest trends in math, science and technology, giving students an opportunity to learn about fields such as video game graphics, forensic science and computer programming, to name a few. The academies use fun, hands-on activities and innovative software as students experiment both in the classroom and outdoors. Many academies also include field trips to some of the state’s top companies, science facilities and museums.

“The Summer Academies are a great opportunity for middle and high school students to experience campus life and explore exciting careers for free,” Chancellor Glen D. Johnson said. “After attending our Summer Academies, students are more likely to attend and graduate from college.”

More than 15,000 Oklahoma students have attended the Summer Academies since 1990. Seventy-three percent of Summer Academies students go to college immediately after high school, compared to 56 percent of all students. While in college, Summer Academies students are more academically prepared than their peers, requiring one-third fewer remedial courses than students. More than 80 percent of Summer Academies students earn at least a bachelor’s degree, compared with 22 percent of all Oklahomans.

Applications are now being accepted for the academies, and many have deadlines. Because the academies are free and enrollment is limited, students are encouraged to apply early. To qualify, students need to be entering eighth through 12th grade this fall. Officials emphasize the academies are not exclusive to top students, but instead are designed to give all students an opportunity to increase their interest and confidence in math, science and technology, and ultimately, expand their career and educational aspirations.

Academy descriptions and contact information are available at www.okhighered.org/summer-academies/. Students can also get information from their school counselors or by calling (800) 858-1840.

Academies offered this summer include:

Cameron University, Lawton

Science Detectives, May 31-June 6 (Grades 8-9)

Connors State College, Warner

Ecological Investigations and Wilderness Adventure, Session 1: May 31-June 5, Session 2: June 7-12, Session 3: June 14-19 (Grades 9-12)

East Central University, Ada

Secret Messages, The Lottery, Game Shows and Other Mathematical Pursuits, June 7-12 (Grades 11-12)

Langston University, Langston

An Intensive Summer Academy in Mathematics and Science for Grades 10-12, June 7-20 (Grades 10-12)

Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow

Quest for the Treasure Chest: GPS-Style, July 20-24 (Grades 8-11)

Northern Oklahoma College, Enid

CSI: Northern, June 22-25 (Grades 9-12)

Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City

Opportunity Bytes, June 22-26 (Grades 9-12)

Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwell

Computer Graphics: A First Look at Careers & Skills for Getting Into the Game Industry, June 23-26 (Grades 8-11)

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

Exploring Quantitative Analysis: A Basic Introduction, June 7-20 (Grades 9-10)
Fired-Up About Research Science and Engineering, July 12-17 (Grades 10-12)
OSU High School Aerospace Academy, June 7-18 (Grades 11-12)

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee

Emerging and Converging Technologies, June 7-12 (Grades 8-10)

Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City

Remote Controlled Basics of Technology and Science: RC BOTS Camp, June 15-26 (Grades 8-11)

Redlands Community College, El Reno

Exploring Natural Resources, Session 1: June 7-13, Session 2: June 14-20 (Grades 8-9)

Seminole State College, Seminole

Peek Into Engineering (PIE), July 26-31 (Grades 10-12)

Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford

Oklahoma Giants – Exploring the Science, Math, Engineering and Technology of Oklahoma’s Wind and Natural Gas Energy, Session 1: June 7-12, Session 2: June 14-19, Session 3: June 21-26 (Grades 10-12)
Summer Science and Mathematics Academy, June 1-12 (Grades 11-12)

The University of Tulsa

Summer Electrical Engineering Academy at The University of Tulsa for Precollege Students, July 6-10 (Grades 8-11)
Technology Education and Collaborative: Summer TEC, Session 1: June 24-July 3, Session 2: July 13-22 (Grades 8-9)

University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond

Engineering Physics Explorations, Session 1: June 1-5, Session 2: June 8-12 (Grades 8-10)
UCO Forensic Science Summer Academy, Session 1: June 1-5, Session 2: June 8-12 (Grades 9-11)

Western Oklahoma State College, Altus

Plant Biology and Genomics, June 1-5 (Grades 8-9)