Registration ends soon; high school students from underrepresented minority groups encouraged to apply

After a two-year hiatus, the free Indiana University Northwest science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) Camp is back and now accepting applications. This year, the camp will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug 1 to 3 on campus. While the STEM Camp is open to all high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, students from underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Students will learn how exciting a STEM career can be through hands-on activities and experiments in biology, chemistry, computer information systems, informatics, math, and geology. Materials and lunch will be provided.

"The STEM camp teaches students about the many career possibilities for related fields through experimentation and play," said Bhaskara Kopparty, director of the STEM Camp. "In the past, students have participated in sessions on building bridges, flying rockets, creating their own video games, and analyzing scientific data. They have also learned about the chemistry behind air bags, the science of smells, the biology of the heart, Python programming, and more."

"This is a tremendous opportunity for high school students because the activities are led by faculty members who are current in their fields of research and dedicated to providing excellent STEM education," he added.

Kopparty said there is a shortage of underrepresented minority students pursuing STEM fields. The camp, made possible by the National Science Foundation's Louis Stokes for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program, is designed to address that shortage and boost the number of STEM graduates.

To register, visit iun.edu/stemcamp. Registration closes on July 25. Selected students will be informed by email, phone, or text. To learn more, email lsampiun@iun.edu.

About the STEM Camp

The camp is made possible by an award from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The goal of the award is to significantly increase the number of historically underrepresented minorities receiving baccalaureate degrees in STEM.

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) is leading the $4.8 million Indiana STEM Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) initiative. The alliance is comprised of six institutions across Indiana, Ball State University, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University Northwest, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana University South Bend, and Ivy Tech Community College, Indianapolis.

The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program is designed to substantially increase the quantity and quality of students, especially underrepresented students, who study STEM disciplines. LSAMP offers identified STEM majors who qualify for the opportunity to receive a stipend while conducting research in their major.