Application open for PROMYS: BU’s Summer Math Program for young (motivated) scientists

Opportunities

Applications are now available for Boston University’s PROMYS, a six-week (July 2-August 12) residential summer program for strongly motivated high-school students (ages 14-19) to explore in-depth the creative world of mathematics. About 80 students are selected from a nationwide/worldwide pool based on online applications consisting of solutions to challenging problem sets, school transcripts, teacher recommendations, and short essays explaining their interest in the program. The cost is on a sliding scale by family income, and full or partial need-based financial aid is available as necessary to ensure all who are selected may attend.  Applications are due March 5. For more information, see the FAQs and then contact promys@bu.edu.

MIT Women in Technology summer program for Grade 11, Apply by Jan. 15

Summer

MIT’s Women’s Technology Program is an intensive, four-week summer academic program for girls currently in Grade 11 to explore engineering through classes, labs, and projects (see video). This year, the Mechanical Engineering program will be offered on an in-person day (commuter) basis). There is no fee to apply or attend. (The Electrical Engineering and Computer Science program will not be offered this year.)

Applicants must have strong curiosity about Mechanical Engineering (but no direct experience in it yet) and also excel in math and science. Students with backgrounds underrepresented in STEM and/or few other opportunities to explore these fields are especially encouraged to apply. Applications are now available online and are due January 15. For more information, first check the program’s FAQ and then email wtp@mit.edu. See also their Resources page for additional ways to learn about engineering.

Discovery Museum: Free events for families with children with disabilities

Events

The Discovery Museum (177 Main Street, Acton) offers its Especially for Me program of free events for families with children with disabilities. All events are free but require registration. Registration links will appear on this page before each event, and you can register now for the January 21 event here. at the links here. The events for 2023 are:

  • Mornings for Families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & KODA Infants and Toddlers (closed to the public): Mondays 9:30AM-12:30PM on February 13, September 11
  • Sensory-Friendly Afternoons (open to the public, but no group visits are scheduled): Tuesdays 1:30-4:30PM on February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, August 1, October 3, November 7, December 5
  • Evenings for Families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & KODA Children (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8PM on March 11, May 6, December 2.
  • Evenings for Families with a Visual Impairment (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8PM on February 4, October 7.
  • Autism-Friendly Evenings (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8PM on January 7, March 18, April 1, June 3, September 16, October 21, December 16
  • All-Access Evenings (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8PM on January 21, May 20, June 17, November 18

Edge on Science: Week-long summer STEM programs at Lasell University

Summer

Edge on Science is once again offering in-person, week-long summer STEM programs at Lasell University. Programs are for students entering Grades 3-12 and grouped by Grades 3-5, 4-9, 5-7, 5-9, 6-9, 7-9, 8-10, 10-12 depending on topic. Days are 9AM-4PM with extensions 8AM-6PM. Register here by January 15 for discounts.

MassRobotics JumpStart seeks female STEM technical volunteers for mentoring and career support for high-school students from underrepresented backgrounds

Opportunities

The MassRobotics Girls High School Jumpstart Program is still seeking female STEM professionals (including graduate students) to volunteer to offer mentoring, skills training, and career support for its third cohort of high-school students from underrepresented backgrounds. Apply here for either of two ways to volunteer:

  • Volunteers with technical expertise in Solidworks, MathWorks, programming, fabrication and 3D printing needed for occasional Saturdays, in-person at MassRobotics
  • Mentors to aid with networking skills and career support who can commit to a minimum of 2-4 hours per month (virtual).

Volunteer as a judge in ‘Future City’ middle-school civil engineering competition, Jan. 21

Events

Future City is a four-month civil-engineering program for middle-school students, culminating in an annual design competition in January. This year, it will be January 21 at Wentworth Institute in Boston. The program seeks professional engineers (and others with relevant technical backgrounds) to volunteer as judges to evaluate the student teams’ work. Volunteers can be working professionals, retirees, or college/graduate students with experience in STEM, urban planning, architecture, or related fields. Email Reed Brockman at newengland@futurecity.org.

Mustang Math Online Math Competition, Apr. 29

Events

Mustang Math — a nonprofit organization of high-school and college volunteers — runs annual mathematics competitions in-person in Washington, DC and in California, as well as an online competition, which this year will be on April 29 (9AM-4:30PM PST). The competitions are centered on teamwork and collaboration. Teams of four students address challenging/interesting problems and develop strategies to master the unique and fun game-like rounds — including a logic-based puzzle round, a strategy-filled hexes round, a race-like gallop round, and the ‘Mystery Mare’ round. Students entering the online competition register individually or in teams, are consolidated into teams of four, and are placed in one of three divisions based on the highest grade level (6, 7, or 8) of team members.