Applications Now Accepted for Free Summer Academies on College Campuses

This summer, middle and high school students can experience life on a college campus while exploring the exciting and varied fields of math and science at the free 2012 Summer Academies in Math, Science and Technology.

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 by using 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 academies are being offered at 18 of Oklahoma’s college and university campuses in May, June and July. Twenty-nine different academies will be offered statewide and last from four days to two weeks. Some academies require students to live in the campus residence halls, while others require that students travel to and from campus each day

"Since 1990, Summer Academies have provided thousands of Oklahoma middle and high school students the opportunity to experience the college campus environment while exploring new and exciting career options,” Chancellor Glen D. Johnson said. “This program offers young people the chance to study with top professors and explore hands-on learning that exceeds anything they’ve encountered in a traditional classroom. After attending our Summer Academies, students are more likely to attend college and hopefully have a broader perspective about the value of a college education."

More than 17,000 Oklahoma students have attended 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 all other 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.