Program Details

The tentative date for the 2026 Sunshine State Scholars program will be held  March 5-6, 2026. Each of Florida’s school districts selects their top 11th grade students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM). Each of the scholars, along with their parents, will travel to the event for an extraordinary two-day program. This year’s program will bring 113 high school STEM scholars from around the state, connect them with employers that specialize in the STEM fields, and create a networking opportunity between the scholars and schools from Florida’s College and State University System.

Minimum State Requirements

• The student has achieved junior class status and has an interest in pursuing postsecondary education opportunities in Florida.

• The student has expressed and/or demonstrated an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related studies.

• The student has a weighted grade point average of 3.9 or higher.

Based upon information available at this point in time, the student should be on track to qualify for the Florida Academic Scholars Award according to the current guidelines established for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN). Specifically, the student should have documentation to support a minimum of 25 hours of approved community service.

Additional Selection Criteria

Assessment and Testing: Student has consistently scored well on statewide assessments.

• Combined score of 1300 or higher on the SAT (based upon Critical Reading/Math sections only)

• Composite score of 30 or higher on the ACT (excluding the writing section)

• Score of 98 or higher on CLT

• Score of 3.0 or higher on one or more Advanced Placement Tests

• Consistently scored Level 4 or 5 on Mathematics and Science End-of-Course assessments

Competitions and Contests: Student has actively participated in STEM-related competitions, such as:

• Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair sponsored by Society for Science & the Public

• State Science and Engineering Fair sponsored by Florida Foundation for Future Scientists (FFFS)

• Invention Convention U.S. Nationals presented by Raytheon Technologies and The Henry Ford

• Florida MATHCOUNTS State Competition sponsored by the Florida Engineering Society

• American Mathematics Contest sponsored by University of West Florida

• South Florida FIRST Robotics Competition

• National STEM Video Game Challenge

• Florida Science Olympiad

• Florida Envirothon

• Mu Alpha Theta

If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Brito.