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Summer Programs

I can't believe there's nothing but reruns on TV!
When kids watched TV instead of their computers.
There is no reason to sit around all summer watching TV (what's TV?) or playing video games.  Get out, learn new skills, and make new friends.  There are plenty of summer programs available at low or no cost.  Some applications are already open, while some programs are still in development.  Check back frequently as we will continue to update this list as information becomes available.  And, if you have a program to recommend, please send that information to Janisse Vazquez at [email protected].
 
Below are links to programs in the Rio Rancho/Albuquerque area: 
 
Here's the link for the Sandoval County Summer Youth Employment Program for teens age 15-17.  Get some work experience and get paid at the same time.  Applications are not yet available, but will be posted as soon as they are released.
 
Summer programs for Middle School Scholars:
 
      • Alexa Cafe:  All Girls STEM Camp, ages 10-15.  This program costs approximately $1,000 for a week-long residential program.  It is offered in various locations throughout the United States, but not in New Mexico.  Nevertheless, check it out and plan your family vacation around it.  https://www.idtech.com/alexa-cafe
      • New Mexico State University runs a variety of very popular STEM summer camps and they fill-up quickly so check out their programs here:  Camps 
      • Digial Creators Institute: The Digital Creators Institute is an immersive summer camp designed for students who are eager to explore the interaction of people, information, and technology. At this dynamic camp, participants will learn how to harness the power of AI and large language models to create compelling digital content. They will gain hands-on experience in website planning and design, digital art techniques, and video production, all while developing essential skills in digital literacy and responsible technology use. Whether your passion is storytelling, coding, or creating stunning visuals, the Digital Creators Institute will equip you with the knowledge and tools to become a forward-thinking digital creator. https://ci.unt.edu/summer-camps
      •  When is the event? 

        July 28-August 1, 2025
         Where is the event? 
        Frisco Landing
        12995 Preston Rd, Frisco, TX 75033

        Intro to Engineering Camp: This 5-day residential summer camp, with an intake limited to just 20 students annually, is a rather exclusive program. It offers a comprehensive introduction to various fields of engineering including electrical, mechanical, civil, and environmental engineering, as well as computer science basics. Through a variety of hands-on projects and activities, participants will gain practical experience and theoretical knowledge.

        Location: SMU Lyle School of Engineering, Texas

        Dates: Boys-only camp: Juluy 7-11 | Girls-only camp: July 14-18 | Boys/Girls camp: July 21-25

        Cost: $600

        Eligibility:  Rising 7th and 8th grade students

         
 
 
 
Summer Programs for High School Scholars:
Why not experience life outside of your home by going away for a couple of weeks?  The best way to get a feel for college is to try a college experience.
 
    • Summer Physics Camp -

      The 9th annual Summer Physics Camp offers a unique opportunity for young students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with STEM professionals including scientists and researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories.  This two-week FREE to students camp held at the New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe, will explore topics related to energy and energy security (reliable, affordable access to all fuels and energy sources) and offers students a chance to boost their understanding of how STEM improves the world around us through hands-on activities, demonstrations, tour or Los Alamos National Laboratory, talks and a multiday hands-on engineering project. Students will learn the principles of physics, engineering, bioengineering, chemistry, computer programming and cybersecurity, and will apply their knowledge in a range of exciting hands-on multi-day projects. They will also explore different energy sources, including solar, wind, geothermal and nuclear power, to better understand the challenges faced by our modern society. Deadline is April 1, 2025.                                             

    • The Air Force Research Laboratory Scholar's Program:  This program is at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque and elsewhere nationwide.  The program is available to students from high school to university graduate status interested in STEM careers, providing an opportunity to work alongside top scientists and engineers.  This is a stipend program. and lasts for 8 12 weeks (depending on mentor need and funding availability).  Visit:  https://afrlscholars.usra.edu/application/ for more information and to complete the application.

    • New Mexico State University runs a variety of very popular STEM summer camps and they fill-up quickly so check out their programs here:  Camps 
    • Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) at Penn State is a two-week residential program for high school students interested in obtaining a business education in college.  It’s an opportunity for these students to take college prep and business fundamentals courses taught by Penn State faculty. Participants will also get a glimpse of what college life is like by living in residence halls during their two-week stay on Penn State’s University Park campus. This is a competitive application with a $50 registration fee if you are accepted.  Housing, meals, and tuition is provided, but not travel costs.  https://www.smeal.psu.edu/diversity/business-opportunities-summer-session-boss
    • Alexa Cafe is an all girls STEM Camp, ages 10-15.  This program costs approximately $1,000 for a week-long residential program.  It is offered in various locations throughout the United States, but not in New Mexico.  Nevertheless, check it out and plan your family vacation around it.  https://www.idtech.com/alexa-cafe
    • Carnegie Mellon University Summer Opportunities for Access and Inclusion offers six-week residential programs.  There are a variety of programs at exhorbitant cost but there are really cool offerings.  The Summer Academy for Math and Science is free.  This is a competitive application with a $100 registration fee if you are accepted.  Housing, meals, and tuition are provided, but not travel costs.  There will be an additional expense for books.  Scholarships are available for the other programs.  If I had any talent, I would look at the National High School Gaming Academy. https://www.cmu.edu/pre-college/
    • Cornell University's Curie Academy is a one-week residential program for high school girls who excel in math and science.  The application is competitive and the cost is $1,450 plus travel.  Scholarships are available and if you are an underrepresented minority (African-American, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander) and/or a first generation college student, the tuition is waived. https://outreachacademies.engineering.cornell.edu/
    • Telluride Association Summer Program (TASS and TASP) for sophomores and juniors is a free six-week intensive seminar.  Unfortunately applications are due in early to mid-January so the application window is closed, but keep this in mind for next year.  https://www.tellurideassociation.org/our-programs/high-school-students/summer-program-juniors-tasp/
    • Minority Introduction to Engineering and Sciences (MITES) is a six-week residential program for current high school juniors at MIT from June 22 to August 2.  Students take five courses (physics, calculus, life sciences, humanities, and a STEM elective class), each with homework and exams.  During the program, students will also participate in social events and build a community with their peers.  Typically geared to underrepresented minorities (African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American), underserved populations (low income), first in the family to attend college, as well as families with a lack of engineering and science degrees.  Tuition, housing, and meals are provided.  You just need to get there.  https://oeop.mit.edu/programs
    • MathCamp is available to all students born after August 9, 2001 and is held at Champlain College in Burlington, VT.  The program runs for 5 weeks in the summer. Scholarships are also available for middle-income families.  Applications close early so don't wait.  https://www.mathcamp.org/about_mathcamp/
    • The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is one of the only programs of its kind offering a free, innovative residential journalism and college prep institute for high achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds. Over ten days every summer, up to 40 students from across the country explore current events and world affairs through workshops and lectures led by Princeton professors, professional journalists, and alumni on campus. The summer program culminates in the publication of the Princeton Summer Journal, the student-produced newspaper. During their senior year, students are matched with a personal college adviser, who will work with them on their college admissions process.  https://psjp.princeton.edu/
    • USC Bovard Scholars offers a three-week summer residency on the USC campus where students experience college life first-hand where you learn how to attend top-tier schools, receive support in assessing and developing your ideal career, and receive personalized test preparation tailored to your identified career.  It is free for students and USC will pay for transportation to and from campus for students coming from outside Southern California.  Unfortunately, applications closed January 17, but this is a program current sophomores need to think about.  https://bovardscholars.usc.edu/our-program/
    • Joint Science and Technology Institute is a two-week, fully-funded, residential STEM research program for current high school students (entering the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades) in the United States and Department of Defense schools around the world. Students will participate in research projects mentored by Department of Defense research scientists and other subject matter experts. The purpose of the program is to inspire and encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, increase STEM literacy, and expose students to the importance of STEM through hands-on, relevant research.  This year, the program runs from June 6-19.  There is also a program at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, MD.  Applications are now open and will close April 12.  https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/JSTI-ABQ-Students-2020
    • Research Science Institute at MIT is one of the most competitive five week residential programs in the U.S.  Students selected for participation in this program will conduct research in various laboratories in the greater Boston area.  It is recommended that PSAT Math Scores be at least 740 or higher and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score be 700 or higher. ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34. Lower scores must be offset by strong indicators of mathematical, scientific, and academic potential exemplified in recommendations, high school grades, and science activities.  The application window opens in November and closes mid-January.  https://www.cee.org/research-science-institute
    • The Summer Science Program is a 30-day residential research program held at four universities (NM Tech, UC Boulder, Purdue, and Indiana University).  It is generally targeted for students who have completed their junior year because of the required prerequisite courses in advanced math and science.  However, if you meet admissions requirements by the end of your sophomore year, you will be considered.  There is a cost, but that should not prevent you from applying because generous scholarships based on merit are available.  https://summerscience.org/the-ssp-experience/what-is-ssp/
    • Boy's/Girl's State teaches high school juniors about the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of U.S. citizens, along with the structure of city, country, and state governments. This intensive one-week program divides students into parties, elects officials, and works to carry out basic functions such as writing, proposing, and passing bills. Other Boys/Girls State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses, and recreational programs.  There is a $25 registration fee if you are selected to attend.  Boy's State is held at Eastern New Mexico University, May 26-31, http://www.nmboysstate.org/  Girl's State will also be held at Eastern New Mexico University, May 31-June 5, http://www.alanmgirlsstate.org/
    • The St. John's College Summer Academy is based on the great books reading program.  Each week long session is based on a theme and students take classes in two of the following subject areas:  laboratory science, mathematics, language, music, visual arts or rhetoric.  Students also participate in a discussion seminar in the selected subject areas with other students and faculty member.  The fee of $1,100 includes tuition, housing, and meals for the week.  The food at St. John's is great. https://www.sjc.edu/summer-academy
    • The Health Careers Academy is a four-week summer program for rising sophomores and juniors .  It will be held at the UNM campus in Rio Rancho and will provide experiential learning with academic enhancement opportunities related to health careers.  Learn to take vital signs, get CPR and First Aid Certified, shadow health care professionals, do some service learning, and receive a stipend upon completion of the program.  You must be a resident of Sandoval County, have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, be a current sophomore or junior, have parental permission, and be able to attend the entire program between June 1 and June 26.  Applications open February 3 and must be received or postmarked by March 25.  For more information and the application, go to https://hsc.unm.edu/diversity/programs/community/academy.html
    • Summer Engineering Academy at UNM is a free four-week program (June 8-July 3) sponsored by the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)-UNITE Program, and other agencies and corporations.  It offers four weeks of hands-on activities and learning experiences in all areas of engineering and computer science.  Students meet with engineering and computer science students, as well as STEM faculty at UNM and industry professionals through activities and field trips.  Students going into the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades are eligible to participate.  Aimed at students from populations that are historically underrepresented and underserved in STEM fields, students completing the four-week program earn a stipend of $100/week for participation.  Go to: https://ess.unm.edu/programs/k-12-opportunities/ess-summer-programs/index.html for more information about eligibility requirements and applications (which are due March 31/priority March 15th).
    • Summer Transportation Institute at UNM is a free three-week  residential program designed to give students the experience of living in a college dorm while engaging in engineering activities.  Sponsored by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration and the NM DOT, students experience a variety of STEM and transportation related learning activities.  There are also college prep courses, field trips, and hands-on workshops.  Students going into the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades are eligible for participation.  Go to:  https://ess.unm.edu/assets/ess-programs/ess-summer-programs/index.html for more information and the application.  Applications are due between March and May 15.  
    • Veritas AI Summer Camp:  Their summer early admission application deadline is March 23, 2025. Veritas AI is a selective AI program for ambitious high school students. In the program, you learn the fundamentals of AI and apply them to building a real-world project. The program is founded by Harvard researchers and our faculty come from Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Princeton.
    • https://www.veritasai.com/ai-trailblazers
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