Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How much does it cost to take part in the STEM Program?
- How do you recruit students?
- Why do you focus on the Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury communities in particular?
- My child attends the METCO Program, but we are Boston residents. Why aren't we eligible?
- Why is homework assigned during the summer?
- If I get into the STEM Program, do I have a better chance of getting into MIT?
- We planned a summer vacation last fall, so our son will have to miss the last week of the program. Can he make up the time?
- What if my child is ill and misses classes?
- I don't have transportation to MIT. What can I do?
- My daughter will be in the 9th grade in September. Can she apply to the STEM Program?
- I am looking for a summer camp for my child. What types of activities does the STEM Program offer?
- Who will teach my child?
- What if my child doesn't want to participate in some of the activities?
- If a child is accepted, are they guaranteed placement for next summer?
- I like the idea of the mentorship program. Can we just enroll for the academic year?
- How are disciplinary matters handled?
- What resources are available for parents?
How much does it cost to take part in the STEM Program?
The STEM Program is offered free of charge to all participants through the generosity of our sponsors and MIT.
We are looking for bright, motivated young people who are interested in math and science and want to excel in school. In the late fall and early winter, we contact Boston and Cambridge public elementary and middle schools for their recommendations for students they think would benefit from our programming. In addition, we collaborate with community centers, agencies, religious centers and parent groups to identify applicants. Finally, we post our application online, so everyone can access our information in time for our deadline.
Why do you focus on the Cambridge, Dorchester , Mattapan and Roxbury communities in particular?
While we recognize that many students could benefit from participating in the STEM Program, our funding mandates that our recruitment efforts target these communities. MIT does offer a range of additional enrichment programming for student in grades K-12.
My child attends the METCO Program, but we are Boston residents. Why aren't we eligible?
The STEM Program recruits students who are enrolled in Boston and Cambridge public schools solely. Participants in the METCO Program may wish to pursue resources available within their schools' local communities.
Why is homework assigned during the summer?
Homework is a requirement for the STEM Program. Part of our goal is to prepare students for academic success in middle school, high school, college and beyond. The point of homework is to review concepts introduced in class, identify and address areas that may be unclear or confusing and develop mastery of the content. We believe that developing a habit of producing high quality homework is critical to their long-term success.
If I get into the STEM Program, do I have a better chance of getting into MIT?
Really, that is up to you. MIT is a highly competitive university that looks for candidates with strong grades, diverse interests and a passion for the technical fields. If you want to attend MIT, the STEM Program is an excellent place to start, but that's just the beginning. You will have to work hard and make a serious commitment to your learning throughout middle and high school.
We planned a summer vacation last fall, so our son would have to miss the last week of the program this summer. Can he make up the time?
Unfortunately, no. Students in the program cover an enormous amount of material in a very short period of time, so it is difficult to miss even one day. Therefore, to take part in the STEM Program, students must be able to participate in the entire summer program.
What if my child is ill and misses classes?
Our policy allows for a student to be excused for illness for a maximum of two days during the summer. Students who miss more than two days will be discontinued in the program.
I don't have transportation to MIT. What can I do?
We provide students with bus transportation to and from MIT. Bus stops are located at several schools throughout Boston neighborhoods.
My daughter will be in the 9th grade in September. Can she apply to the STEM Program?
Yes. The STEM program accepts students who will be a Boston or Cambridge public school student entering the 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th grade in September 2007. If your child will be in the 9th grade in September, they are also eligible for the Saturday Engineering Enrichment and Discovery (SEED) Academy during the academic year.
I am looking for a summer camp for my child. What types of activities does the STEM Program offer?
We need to be clear that the STEM Program is not a summer camp; it is a rigorous academic program. While we understand that young people need to have physical activity during the day (our students do have recess after lunch and learn a racquet sport as part of the curriculum on physics and geometry), the emphasis of the program is on developing critical math and science skills and should not be confused with camp.
This summer, students will take classes including Algebraic Topology, Descriptive Geometry, Physics, Vector Mechanics and Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists.
The STEM Program is staffed by graduate and undergraduate students who possess a mastery of the technical disciplines, knowledge of cutting edge developments in science and technology and a love of teaching. MIT runs a Criminal Offender Record Check (CORI) with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on all instructional and administrative staff.
What if my child doesn't want to participate in some of the activities?
The STEM Program is a competitive program and selected participants are expected to take part in the full complement of programming. Throughout the summer, students and parents will receive feedback on their performance to identify areas of achievement and to address areas of difficulty.
If a child is accepted, are they guaranteed placement for next summer?
No. Students must reapply to the program each summer.
I like the idea of the mentorship program. Can we just enroll for the academic year?
No. During the summer, our students develop strong bonds with one another as they learn together. The mentorship program takes place monthly during the school year and builds upon these networks. The same group of student convene to hear guest speakers and presenters describe how the skills students developed during the summer might be applied to academic and professional careers.
How are disciplinary matters handled?
The STEM Program is focused on encouraging students' learning. Therefore, we expect participants to conduct themselves as scholars. Verbally or physically aggressive language and behavior are not allowed. We make our expectations very clear in communications to students and families, which are addressed in our Family Handbook.
If a problem arises, students will discuss the matter with the Program Director, and the student's parents will be notified. If problems with a particular student persist, the student will be asked to leave the program.
What resources are available for parents?
We believe that parents are children's first teachers. The STEM Program works closely with parents throughout the year to ensure that participants are receiving the academic enrichment they need.
To cultivate those relationships, we host Parent Seminars in collaboration with families in SEED Academy during the year to provide resources, information and access to relevant educational research on academic high achievement.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology