• The Laser Photonics Camp by UCF's CREOL is a great camp and opportunity to learn more about what photonics is while being instructed by current students 

• This opportunity, while helping learn about the photonics degree, can also help find out what it is like to go to UCF, since you will eat in the dining halls, alongside this, you are able to ask the students who currently go there and are leading the camp any practical questions you might have about college life, especially at UCF

• For more information, look at the following: Link

• Additionally, for more information about UCF outreach events like this, look at the following: Link

• Changemakers Academy is a free, 4-day overnight summer program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who want to turn their passion for social justice into real-world impact. Through interactive workshops with Stetson faculty, current students, and community leaders, participants will explore critical social issues, build community organizing and leadership skills, and develop a concrete plan to create positive change in their local community.

• All costs are covered - including tuition, housing, meals, and activities - for a cohort of 25 participants.

• Students get a dedicated Stetson mentor to help guide their progress, including support with their change-making project and, if they apply to college, assistance in navigating the admissions process.

• For more information, look at the following: Link

• Swarthmore College is one of the nation's top liberal arts and engineering colleges. 

• Through this opportunity, you will have the chance to stay on a college campus for a few days and get a taste of the college experience, with all expenses, food, and travel paid by Swarthmore College itself. 

• Fly-in programs are also a helpful way to see if a specific college is the right fit for you. At the same time gain valuable information about college admissions and financial aid from experts. 

• The selection committee prioritizes applications from students who are: First generation in their family to attend college, Low-income students (Pell-eligible, free/reduced lunch, etc.), and students who might not otherwise be able to afford a trip to campus, Rural and small town students

• Student applications open in May, but teachers have the opportunity of nominating a student now. Ms. Tomlin would like to nominate an interested student for this opportunity! Whether you're STEM or liberal arts, Swarthmore might be a good fit for you, and you'll only know if you try it out! Message Niyathi Padman (me) if you would like to be nominated!

To learn more about this opportunity, visit this site: https://www.swarthmore.edu/admissions-aid/discover-swarthmore-fly-program

• Prestigious five-week residential immersion for rising high school seniors offering hands-on research.

• Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Bacterial Genomics, and Cell Biology are branches of interest.

• Conduct intensive, collaborative research in small teams

• Work closely with professors, teaching assistants, and guest lecturers.

• SSP’s rigor and selectivity are a strong boost for college applications - an amazing chance to attend a top 20 university!

• There are discounts and scholarships available on the program fee!

• Useful even if you're not going into one of these fields, it will still be an amazing opportunity 

• International Applicants: January 29th, 2026

• Domestic Applications: Feburary 19th, 2026

For more information, look at the following: 

https://ssp.org/2026evaluation/ & https://ssp.org/getting-started/

• GatorWISE, or Weekend Institutes in Science Explorations, is a program at the UF for high school students interested in science, medical fields, and hands-on research. 

• The program focuses on direct experience and gives students an immersive look into research and discovery in areas like medicine, genetics, and environmental sciences.

• The applications open August 26th at UFCPET and will cost $60, which includes lunch.

• Each weekend explores a different area of science, intending to deepen high schoolers' understanding of the following:

  • Biology - September 20: Inside Addiction – Discover the biology of opioids and how they affect the brain.

  • Forensics - October 25: DNA Detectives – Dive into the science of identity and solve mysteries with DNA! 

  • Parasitology - November 15: Mini Vet School – Explore the wild world of parasites and animal health.

• The Gator JumpStart is hosting a one-week on-campus summer camp for high school students who have not yet taken Biology 1 or AP Biology. 

• As a residential summer camp, students will live on the University of Florida campus and get an authentic taste of college life through hands-on biology experiences, small group learning, and faculty-led sessions. 

• Participants will work directly with UF scientists, explore active research labs and field sites, connect with other high-achieving STEM-focused peers, and build a strong foundation for future biology courses.

• The camp will take place from June 22nd to June 27th on the UF campus and Applications are due June 6th

• Costs a $20 Application Fee and a $500 Course Fee

• To Apply: Scan the QR code in the flyer or visit the following link 

• The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is a global competition for students to shine, showcasing your scientific knowledge in an engaging and creative way, allowing you to use your imagination to make these complex concepts clear and captivating in a way that will impress judges and inspire eager minds worldwide.

• Create a short video (Two minutes max) to explain a big idea in one of these fields: Physics, Mathematics, and Life Sciences.

• Judging will be based on the following: Engagement, Illumination, Creativity, and Difficulty.

• Prizes for Winning Student: Along with being honored at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony, you will receive a $250,000 College Scholarship, a $100,000 Science Lab, and a $50,000 prize for the teacher who inspired you.

• Watch this video or read the following if you want to apply

• Submissions are due by September 15, 2025. For the complete timeline, click on the following(Timeline)

Two UCF Summer Institutes (SI) focus on Computer Science and have levels from those just beginning their programming journey to those who are wanting to hone their competitive skills. More details can be found at https://siucf.cs.ucf.edu/. 

SI Computer Science will run from June 9 - June 27. The program is a three-week day institute for students who have interest in learning the foundations of computer science and computer technology. There are three courses available based on your level of expertise.

SI Competitive Programming will run from July 13 - July 25.  Attracting students from around the globe, this program is residential and offers lectures on data structures and algorithms commonly seen in competitions.  Additionally, students will engage in several practice competitions, problem reviews of those competitions, and personalized coaching from coaches and members of UCF’s nationally ranked Programming Team. The camp is specifically designed to help students improve their performance in contests such as USACO, CodeForces, and eventually the ICPC.

UCF offers several broadening participation and financial aid scholarships for these program.

More information about the Summer Institute and the applications can be found at http://siucf.cs.ucf.edu.  If you have questions, please contact the office directly at STEM@ucf.edu.

The field trip will be on March 8th, Friday!!

Make sure you arrive to school by 7:30 AM, in front of the school by the gym. 

Don't forget to pack your own lunch or bring money with you. 

Again, if you have a Disney pass, you will have to find transportation on your own. Meet us at EPCOT by 8:45AM if you're one of those people :)

The itinerary is linked beside →