Applications are now being accepted for this year’s STEM and Foreign Language Academy.

The program, scheduled to kick off June 13, is open to rising Ohio high school juniors and seniors in the upcoming academic year, with a 2.5 GPA or higher.

A collaboration of Shawnee State University, the University of Rio Grande, and Ohio University Southern, the academy introduces high school students to opportunities for careers in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, foreign language, as well as, in the teaching of these subjects.

Students will select one or two college courses (up to 7 credit hours) in General Chemistry, Principles of Statistics, and Elementary Spanish during an intense three-week summer residential academy, spending one week at each partner university.  

Students taking chemistry must have completed Algebra I and received a grade of “C” or better and have completed high school chemistry. Students taking Spanish must have one year of high school Spanish, and no more than two years.

Following the residential experience, students will complete their summer college coursework on-line from their homes, using distance-learning technology, with final exams taking place on campus at the end of July.

“Many high school students seem intimidated by taking a college course for the first time.  However, this summer academy gives students the opportunity to learn in a residential college atmosphere with others their own age. I have found from past years, that students leave the academy empowered by the experience,” said Tim Mollett, instructor of Spanish at OUS.

Tuition, books and materials are at no cost to participating students and are funded in part by carry forward funds from last year’s Ohio Board of Regents grant and by contributions from the three partner universities.  

However, students will need to pay $150 to assist with the cost of room and board during each of the three weeks on campus.

Financial assistance is available to cover the fee if students can show evidence of need.  

Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch or whose family is experiencing financial difficulty may complete a Financial Aid/Fee Waiver Form by the May 24 deadline.  The Financial Aid/Fee Waiver Form MUST is submitted with all other application materials.

“This year’s academy is testament to the desire of all three universities to work together for the betterment of the communities we serve,” says Ohio University Southern Dean, Bill Willan.

The 2010 STEM Academy is limited to 30 total participants. Interested students should go to www.shawnee.edu/off/uos/STEM/stem.html to complete the STEM Academy Student Application, Student Essay, and Financial Aid/Fee Waiver form.

The Student Nomination Form must be completed by a teacher, a guidance counselor, or other school administrator and must be received by the May 24, 2010 application due date.

All completed forms and a copy of the student’s high school transcript should be mailed to the address below.  Applications must be received no later than May 24.

Submit application materials to:

Southern Ohio Youth Regents STEM and Foreign Language Academy

ATTN: Judy Meeker, Project Director

University Outreach Services

Shawnee State University

940 Second Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662  

jmeeker@shawnee.edu

Tel: 740-351-3411

Fax 740-351-3598

Students will be notified of admittance after the application deadline or by May 31, 2010.