9th-11th grade summer STEM programs

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Northwoods

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I saw the USNA has summer STEM programs for rising 9th-11th graders. My younger boy (12 almost 13) is interested. Any intel on what they're really like and if they're worthwhile?

If it matters we live in the north Puget Sound, so it's a flight to go to Annapolis. By the time he'd be a rising 9th grader I'll probably be more or less retired and could accompany him if required/advisable. He's pretty mature (wrestling with his brother notwithstanding) so I'm sure, especially in another couple years he'd do just fine going without a parent too.

He loves all things computers. Right now something like cybers operations, computer engineering, or robotics would be majors of substantial interest.
 
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I think it’s a great program, from a highly ranked (#1 public university) STEM school. Is he interested in attending USNA? In military service? This would be a great opportunity to get some exposure to USNA. It’s a pretty unique experience! One of mine was a detailer for STEM one year.

If he isn’t interested in USNA, I would seriously consider the cost in travelling across country. I personally would look for something closer to home at that age. If cost/time weren’t a consideration, I would go for it.
 
Agree with @justdoit19 that he should apply if he's genuinely interested in USNA, but maybe not worth it (travel time and costs) if he's not. There are many good STEM camps available, especially if you're near a big university.

It's a terrific experience. DD first applied as an 8th-grader and was turned down twice before being accepted as a 10th-grader. She traveled alone and was just fine. (She had experience with this, due to a lot of club-sport travel around North America.) The experience further whetted her appetite to attend USNA.

We have a picture of her right after she landed back from Annapolis. She's wearing a camp sweatshirt and is positively beaming.
 
justdoit19 said:
Is he interested in attending USNA? In military service?
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Yes to both. He's VERY athletic too. Right now he's playing football, lacrosse, wrestling and jujutsu. This is his first year playing football and he's already one of the top players, largely because he just does what the coaches tell him to do, and doesn't need repetition of instruction.

Until some major digestive issues cropped up his older brother was all in for the USCGA. Remains to be seen if that can be resolved in a manner allowing him to still apply (rarely waivered issue). All that to say the USCGA might be a better choice for the youner boy just because they're a D3 school and he would be more likely to be a competitive player. His genetics are unlikely to enable him t o be a key player in big time D1 sports. But, he could definitely surprise us with that, and even if he was never above 2nd or 3rd string at USNA, maybe the academics would appeal more there.

I'm encouraging him to consider all SA's right now. We're not a military family s there's no particular bias towards any branch. But my career has been supporting our warfighters, so I am somewhat biased in favor of military service in general.
 
Northwoods said:
I saw the USNA has summer STEM programs for rising 9th-11th graders. My younger boy (12 almost 13) is interested. Any intel on what they're really like and if they're worthwhile?

If it matters we live in the north Puget Sound, so it's a flight to go to Annapolis. By the time he'd be a rising 9th grader I'll probably be more or less retired and could accompany him if required/advisable. He's pretty mature (wrestling with his brother notwithstanding) so I'm sure, especially in another couple years he'd do just fine going without a parent too.

He loves all things computers. Right now something like cybers operations, computer engineering, or robotics would be majors of substantial interest.
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I highly encourage applying! Terrific experience for my DS who got in as a rising 9th grader. It is a competitive program, and a week at Bancroft with the current mids as instructors was a great immersive experience. They did lots of STEM, used wind tunnel and I think parts of hydromechanic lab, had PT time every day, etc. We all enjoyed Annapolis with the grandparents who live close by, bought some USNA swag (trying to manifest haha), dropped him off and enjoyed the beach before picking him up. We live in CO and yes it was pricey but we made it vacation time. Because DS is a Sea Cadet, he not only got credit, but earned a ribbon and reimbursement from Sea Cadets for the program cost.
 
Northwoods said:
I saw the USNA has summer STEM programs for rising 9th-11th graders. My younger boy (12 almost 13) is interested. Any intel on what they're really like and if they're worthwhile?

If it matters we live in the north Puget Sound, so it's a flight to go to Annapolis. By the time he'd be a rising 9th grader I'll probably be more or less retired and could accompany him if required/advisable. He's pretty mature (wrestling with his brother notwithstanding) so I'm sure, especially in another couple years he'd do just fine going without a parent too.

He loves all things computers. Right now something like cybers operations, computer engineering, or robotics would be majors of substantial interest.
Click to expand...
Sharing my plug for Society of American Military Engineers STEM camps as well...there's one in Colorado Springs and one in California in addition to East Coast ones. Shorter travel. The SAME camps are much more hands on than the USNA Stem camp....but both are good.

LINK
 
All of my students that attended the USNA & USMA STEM camps along with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) versions thoroughly enjoyed them. As noted, it is a great way to see the SAs and experience life there 'on campus.'

By the way, there are other great ways to visit USNA and the other SAs. One good route is by attending one of the USNA/USMA/USAFA/USCGA summer sports camps. Many of my students have participated in them across all of the SAs. Students stay in the dorms, eat in the mess hall, meet mids/cadets and staff, and they also work with the coaching staff.
 
Academician said:
All of my students that attended the USNA & USMA STEM camps along with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) versions thoroughly enjoyed them. As noted, it is a great way to see the SAs and experience life there 'on campus.'

By the way, there are other great ways to visit USNA and the other SAs. One good route is by attending one of the USNA/USMA/USAFA/USCGA summer sports camps. Many of my students have participated in them across all of the SAs. Students stay in the dorms, eat in the mess hall, meet mids/cadets and staff, and they also work with the coaching staff.
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What grades get to do the summer sports camps?
 
DS attended summer STEM as a rising 10th grader. Flew from the southwest solo. Did just fine. Really set the hook for USNA. He loved the labs and the practical hands on stuff.
 
Academician said:
All of my students that attended the USNA & USMA STEM camps along with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) versions thoroughly enjoyed them. As noted, it is a great way to see the SAs and experience life there 'on campus.'

By the way, there are other great ways to visit USNA and the other SAs. One good route is by attending one of the USNA/USMA/USAFA/USCGA summer sports camps. Many of my students have participated in them across all of the SAs. Students stay in the dorms, eat in the mess hall, meet mids/cadets and staff, and they also work with the coaching staff.
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Sadly, no hockey, but sending DS to the sailing camp this summer so he can experience it on an ocean vs. reservoirs/lakes in our landlocked state :)
 
DS went as a rising Sophomore. Flew from the west coast on his own. At the airport on the way there early morning, he met another attendee and they kinda travelled together even though the seat assignments were totally off. DS loved the program and being on campus. My wife and I flew back the day before pick up to attend the closing ceremony and then take DS to visit the sites in DC and later Boston. There was a sketchy plane change moment in Chicago with his flight arriving late but he managed it and it was a good growth experience for him to do that. Travelling across the country alone can be scary, especially for the parents. DS seemed really good with it. It also helped us get his finances in order. So he wouldnt have to carry a ton of cash, we set up a checking acct for him and associated check card just in case and for the mid store. Also had him get his ID squared away. There were a ton of benefits from going through this program outside of the actual program. I recommend it if you are able. DS received a leadership award at the session which was great to see also and really motivated him to push hard sophomore year in his classes.
 
DD attended USNA STEM camp and that immediately put USNA at the top of her list. If you can swing it, I highly recommend the experience.
 
Keep this on the back burner:

www.same.org

STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps

SAME’s STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps offer high school students interested in a highly unique STEM experience the chance to spend a week at a military base learning engineering, construction and design, while developing leadership skills and discovering the potential of a career in STEM.
www.same.org www.same.org
 
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