National Youth Science Camp
If you are a talented STEM student you might consider this highly selective summer program run by the National Youth Science Foundation. Each summer, a small number of high school students from around the country (only two per state!) travel to West Virginia to participate in outdoor activities and lectures by top scientists from wide-ranging disciplines. It’s an incredible opportunity. Unfortunately, the program has been remote since the beginning of the pandemic. It is running, however, and is an incredible opportunity to gain exposure to a variety of fields and top scientists.
“The National Youth Science Foundation (NYSFoundation) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation established in 1983 to provide STEM-focused programs for students from all across the country and around the world. The NYSFoundation’s flagship program, the National Youth Science Camp, is a four-week session in the mountains of West Virginia that combines some of the brightest students in the country with top-notch scientists for lectures and outdoor adventures. Many students return later in their own STEM careers as guest presenters and perpetuate the traditions of the camp.
Hosted in Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia since 1963, the National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a residential science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program designed to honor and challenge some of the nation’s rising leaders and provide them with opportunities to engage with STEM professionals and participate in exciting outdoor activities. Typically, two delegates are selected to attend camp from each state and the District of Columbia. In partnership with the U.S. State Department, we also host international delegates. Past countries represented include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago. Housing, meals, transportation, and supplies are provided to participants at no cost. Want to know when applications open?”
How do I get started? Click here.
How do I expand this narrative arc? Looking for more ways to pursue your interest in science? There are a number of excellent and prestigious summer programs at some of the top research institutions in the country:
Test drive “life at the bench” in the intensive four-week RIBS lab research program at U. Chicago.
Zuckerman Institute Brain Research Internship
For something less time-intensive and engineering-focused, check out the one-week intensive engineering courses at Santa Clara University.
HOT TIP: Research science is a rewarding and highly fulfilling career for many, but it doesn’t suit everyone. Summer is a great time for high school students to explore different academic and professional areas. Speaking to actual scientists and seeing the inside of a research lab is one of the very best ways to test drive this type of career.