Westminster STEM Academy Offers Summer Enrichment for High School Students

At the 2018 STEM Academy, high school students will engage in scientific practices across multiple science disciplines including environmental sciences, computer science, chemistry, and biology.  

The Academy is headed by Dr. Dawn Holliday and Dr. James Concannon. 

From July 8-12 students will enjoy an on-site experience, including room and board, all meals, all STEM Academy sessions, and access to Westminster facilities. 

For five days packed with more than nine labs and events, these students will emulate research practices professionals conduct in the field and workforce. 

“The Westminster STEM Academy is an excellent opportunity for high school students to interact one-on-one with some of Westminster’s top STEM faculty,” says Westminster Education Chair Dr. James Concannon. “The Academy provides students with a problem-based, collaborative, content-rich, inquiry-based learning environment and gives students a head start on their college careers.” 

The Westminster STEM Academy is geared toward high school students entering their freshman year of high school through the graduating class of 2018 seniors. 

One of the experiences is fieldwork at Prairie Fork Conservation Area, a 711-acre area donated by the Missouri Department of Conservation to Hilda (Pat) Jones to encourage research and provide educational opportunities. 

Some of the other topics and activities include: 

• Examining cadavers; 
• Learning how drones are used to locate paleontology dig sites to solve mysteries of ancient life; 
• Computer Code; and 
• Transforming the world through 3-D printing. 

“Students are scientists engaged in the essentials of scientific inquiry; such as asking questions, seeking answers, developing procedures, collecting data into meaningful explanations and connecting experiences to everyday life,” says Dr. Concannon. “Westminster wants to provide high school students with a sense of what a rigorous college can be.” 

In the evenings, fun events and activities are planned for Academy students. 

The $550 fee to attend includes food, housing, tuition, and all curriculum materials for the five days. 

Attendees can also earn one hour of college credit for an additional $150 fee. 

“This is going to be both a fun experience and a wonderful opportunity for high school students,” says Dr. Concannon. “Students will have a great time solving meaningful questions in the STEM disciplines and getting a sample of the college experience.” 

Those interested in the Academy should contact Dr. Dawn Holliday at [email protected] or Dr. James Concannon at [email protected]. Learn more here.