Summer STEM

Jeepman

5-Year Member
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Dec 20, 2017
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My rising 11th grader has been accepted to Summer STEM at USNA. Deadline is today for accepting invite. He has concerns that it is too focused on "robotics". I have explained to him that robotics embraces everything from mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering concepts as well as physics and other physical sciences. I have a call into USNA to discuss, and he will rely on the feedback I get.

Does anyone have any insight into the program? Any past experience? My son loves engineering type stuff and has his own beautiful mind thing going, and I don't want him to have a bad experience with USNA (he is very interested in attending) or engineering. I am looking for a few "thumbs up" with insight from some of you out there.
 
I went to summer stem about five or six years ago. Although there are evolutions about robotics, there is a lot more going on. I learned how to build structures that withstood 100 mph+ winds, flew planes in a flight simulator, and built a mini rocket. The program is aimed towards displaying multiple forms of engineering; so I would say that it is not "too focused on robotics". I'm sure he would love the program and have a blast just as I did. Hope this helped.
 
They are given several light engineering tasks to complete as a team. As mentioned before robotics is an overall small portion. My daughters favorite task was to build a bot race track and then compete. Seemed like they all had a good time when I picked her up. Enough so that most of her teammates she kept in contact and approximately 80% ended up applying.
 
They got notified already for Summer STEM? I thought notifications are sent out until May 1 via email???
 
I have a DD who went last year as an uprising sophomore, and my DS has been accepted for this year as an uprising freshman. Think of the STEM program as a really cool camp that will give him a up close look at USNA. My daughter had a blast, although she said some of the classes were a bit boring to her (stuff she had already done at school). Think of it less as a learning thing, and more like an experience of life at USNA. MY DD loved seeing USNA, sleeping in Bancroft, talking with the mids, etc.

Even being a little bored with some classes, my DD loved it so much she applied again for this year (she hasn’t heard back yet but we are not holding our breath since she has already had that opportunity and I doubt she will be offered another slot).

Your son has been offered an opportunity to visit. If he is interested in USNA it’s a great way to see it!
 
They got notified already for Summer STEM? I thought notifications are sent out until May 1 via email???

My DS was notified on Feb 7th of his acceptance, and he had until Feb 12th to accept or decline. Last year, my DD wasn’t accepted until mid April. My guess is they offer slots to X amount of kids, and see how many accept and then offer more to the next round until the slots are full.
 
Wow, OK. My DD tried last year as a rising freshman but wound up wait listed. She submitted this year Feb 8 so I am going to check she didn’t miss an email...
 
Glad you registered him. My son loved STEM last year as a rising freshman. There were things he had done before, but that just upped his confidence and he loved sharing ideas with others and learning from them as well. He applied again this year as well and hasn't heard yet. What is the policy for repeats? Just trying to figure out summer and chances. He has done very well this year in school and we are from a low application state. Anyone ever been more than once? Thanks.
 
Hoping my DS's reapplication (after wait listed last year) will be a go for her. She really wants to attend!
 
Hoping my DS's reapplication (after wait listed last year) will be a go for her. She really wants to attend!

Same here Jaglvr. My DD was waitlisted last year, hoping she gets in this year. My oldest is a 2021 plebe and just found out she will be helping out with the STEM program this summer. Whatever happens, don’t worry about it too much and apply for summer seminar and USNA. I don’t think it’s about their qualifications rather geographically motivated. Good luck!
 
Doh.... my DD!!! My DS is in hold status for USMMA. DD is 9th grader!
 
I went ahead and registered him. Done deal.

It's a great program! My daughter went last year as a rising sophmore and loved it! She enjoyed learning all about the different fields to study like Oceanography, etc. She made some new friends and I think they still have a group text going. She applied again this year and hopes to get in but we know the chances are slim.
 
My DS is a rising Sophomore and applied 2 February. He received an email on 14 February that he was selected with a registration deadline of 19 February. He is very excited to have been selected for this opportunity.
 
My DS went to STEM 3 years ago. Not a robotics kid. He LOVED the fluid dynamics workshops and made some great friends. Several of his STEM friends are also candidates this year, and those friendships are helping with the waiting.
 
My son got an email in end of March and due date for payment was early of April. We paid and sent the docs.
He is rising 9th grader. He was not good in Science but others are very good with extra activities in
music and sports.
 
DD still not heard[emoji34]

Rising 10th grader in all honors, county band, CAP, 2 Varsity letters already.... disheartening to her
 
DD still not heard[emoji34]

Rising 10th grader in all honors, county band, CAP, 2 Varsity letters already.... disheartening to her

Please tell your DD not to get disheartened - there is a recruiting component to STEM (and NASS) selections and historically have significantly more applicants than available slots. These events are great vehicles for USNA to expose HS students not already predisposed to apply to the USNA to an academy experience.

FYI - there are large numbers of USNA cadets that were never selected for either STEM or NASS. Hang in there...
 
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