Science Research Academy in Lexington coaches middle-school students: Budding researchers and science fair contestants

Summer

Science Research Academy in Lexington offers hands-on scientific exploration to middle school students (ages 11-16), teaching them how to build their own unique scientific research projects from the ground up. It currently offers three programs:

  • Summer Research Sprint: August 7-11, 8:30AM-Noon, in person at Grace Chapel in Lexington, for motivated and curious students entering Grades 6-10 who want to learn about scientific research, build their own projects, and explore a subject more deeply than what is offered in school.
  • Science Fair: January-April, at times determined by participants’ availability. A program 12 classes to prepare 5-10 students of all skill levels (who are entering Grades 7 and higher) for the Massachusetts Science Fair, using a step-by-step process from creating a research idea to presenting at the fair. Expect to also spend multiple hours outside of class working independently on your project. The program includes 12 weekly Zoom meetings, guest speakers, 1-on-1 meetings at least monthly, unlimited access to instructors by email, and an in-person dry run of each student’s presentation with feedback from multiple judges.
  • Independent Research Program: September-November. A 12-week program for 5-10 students (entering Grades 7 and higher) to break down research projects into bite-sized steps with coaching. Each student completes a research project with a project write-up, self-directed.

The founder of the academy, Parth Kocheta, graduated recently from Lexington High School and won the Massachusetts State Science Fair in 2022. The academy’s faculty of experienced student researchers has already guided over 25 students, and this year many of them secured various prizes at the Massachusetts State Science Fair, with 85% of its students advancing from the Regional Fair to the Massachusetts State Fair and several first-time students wining  2nd, 3rd, or Honorable Mention prizes at the State Fair.

Edge on Science: Full and partial scholarships available for summer STEM programs

Summer

Edge on Science reports that an anonymous benefactor is providing up to 14 partial to full scholarships for families who would like to send their children to a summer STEM program. Over the remaining four weeks of Edge on Science STEM programs at Lasell University (Newton) and Endicott College (Beverly) this summer, there are nine different week-long STEM adventures to choose from. All are led by an engineer, scientist, inventor, and/or scholar. Programs are available for students entering Grades 3-12 in the fall, and there are positions for Counselor in Training (CIT) too. To inquire, families should call Edge on Science at 315-773-5673.

MITES Symposiums: High-school students present their work, July 21 & Aug. 2-3

Accomplishments, Events

MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering & Science (MITES) provides transformative experiences to bolster confidence, create lifelong community, and build foundations in STEM for highly motivated students in Grades 7-12 from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. The MITES students who are rising seniors will be presenting their work in two symposiums. Register here to attend:

  • July 21: MITES Summer, in-person, 8:30AM-5PM
  • August 2-3: MITES Semester, virtual, 6PM-9PM each day

Register by June 27 for MIT’s Virtual HSSP — Sundays in Summer for Grades 7-12+

Summer, Virtual/Online

MIT’s Summer HSSP is a weekend academic program (July 9-August 13) for students entering Grades 7-12 (plus those who just graduated high school). Courses are run virtually on Zoom by volunteers on Sundays at various times between 1PM and 4PM. Registration is now open until June 27 on a lottery basis, with equal consideration given to all applicants registering by that deadline. The cost is $50 regardless of the number of courses taken, and generous financial aid is available.  For more information, email summer-hssp@mit.edu.  The course catalog for this summer contains these 17 STEM courses:

  • StudentS’ STEM (S3) — an approach empowering students
  • How to Make a Dragon: Introduction to Synthetic Biology
  • Introduction to Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • DIY: Mini Magnetically-Levitated Trains
  • Circuits Analysis 101
  • Modeling Mechanics and Circuits via Differential Equations and JavaScript
  • Introduction to Computational Statistics
  • More Than One Variable? – An Introduction to Multivariable Calculus
  • Developmental Immunology
  • Cancer Warriors: Unleashing the Power of Your Immune System against Cancer
  • From Earth to Space: Introduction to Space Medicine
  • Electrifying Biochemistry
  • Saving the World with the Science of Sustainability!
  • Nuclear Reactors: Science and Operation
  • How the Earth Moves Below the Sea: An Intro to Conducting Marine Geophysical Research
  • Relativity and Black Holes
  •  Everything they don’t tell you about Mathematics

New England Sci-Tech STARS: Ham Radio Field Day, June 24-25

Events

The New England Sci-Tech hosts the STARS – Amateur Radio Club,  open to all ages, beginners to experts. On June 24-25 (2PM Saturday to 2PM Sunday), STARS will participate in  ARRL Field Day, when licensed amateur radio operators worldwide participate in contests and practice exercises of radio skills. The STARS event takes place at New England Sci-Tech (16 Tech Circle, Natick). The Field Day event  runs outside in vans and tents running off alternative power to simulate emergency conditions, but the building is open for tours, restrooms, maker activities, etc.)

Museum of Science: EiE offers summertime STEM activities for families

Resources

EiE, a program of Boston’s Museum of Science, offers EiE Families — STEM activities, games and more for families with children ages 4-11 to continue learning in the summer, at home and on the go. Available in English and Spanish, these at-home activities offer engaging, real-world design challenges using commonly found around the home. Activities include:

  • Bye, Bye Bug: Help Kenji and Emi engineer a solution to relocate a bug found in their bedroom!
  • A Story to Remember: Use sequencing skills to think of a story and relate it to the story Nur, Fitri, and Fakhri are trying to remember.
  • I Spy Technologies: Make a trip to the store or laundromat more fun as you spot technologies all around you.
  • Technology Categories: Think of as many technologies as you can to solve different problems, like cooking food or making light.
  • Technology Deck: Use this deck of 52 technology cards to play seven different games. Use the printable version for a true card game experience or download the mobile version for your cell phone or tablet.

Families and educators can also organize a STEM Event at school or in a community space for learners and their families to work on engineering challenges in a group setting.

Mustang Math recruits HS and college volunteers for next year

Opportunities

Mustang Math is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of high school and college volunteers  promoting a collaboration and curiosity in mathematics among middle school students globally.  It does this through annual math tournaments and low-cost, high-quality math classes. It’s now recruiting high-school and college students to volunteer for the next school year. Opportunities include writing problems, organizing tournaments/events, building software, working on design and marketing, engaging the community, building YouTube videos, and more. Register your interest here.