After seven consecutive years of progressing success, the Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy is beginning to recruit high school students once again.
STEM Academy is a specially grant funded summer camp by the Tennessee Board of Regents where the University of Memphis will offer a residential summer session camp June 8 through June 21.
When STEM Academy was introduced to the U of M in 2007, the camp was under the leadership of director Shawn Boyd.
Beginning this year, the camp will be under the leadership of Amanda Williams along with the assistance of head camp counselor Johnathan Moffett.
"STEM Academy has grown over the years and there has also been a growth in people who have applied," Williams, an undergraduate academic counselor at the U of M, said. "STEM is also a recruitment tool for the University of Memphis because most students do end up attending the school after attending the camp."
Students chosen to attend the summer camp will have the opportunity to live on campus in the U of M residence halls during the two-week session. Housing, meals and all other activities will be paid for by the grant.
STEM Academy is open to students who will be high school sophomores and juniors in fall of 2014. In order to be selected, students must have successfully completed Algebra One.
They must have also completed the 9th grade and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 along with a required letter of recommendation from a teacher or staff of their high school.
"During the camp, students participate in academic components, math labs, social activities and they also have the opportunity to hear speakers from campus," Williams said.
Courtney Hailey, junior childdevelopment major, attended the STEM Academy in 2009.
"Going to STEM is honestly the reason why I chose to attend the U of M because I had never had any previous college experience," Hailey said. "STEM Academy definitely changed my mind about the University of Memphis as a whole."
Hailey said it is important to expose minority students to the college experience and guide them toward what the U of M has to offer.
STEM Academy also has camp counselors who assist with the camp and guide them towards the best possible two-week college experience.
There are a certain number of guides selected who meet all of the requirements as well as a head camp counselor.
The guides selected must have at least a 2.5 GPA along with leadership and involvement experience. William's also stated that the guides have to have worked with children or students before.
Johnathan Moffett was selected as head camp counselor for the 2014 summer camp as he exceeded all of the requirements for the position.
"I am looking forward to ensuring that the camp is accommodative for both counselors and students, and I want counselors to develop more as leaders this year," Moffett, a mathematics major, said. "I believe being head counselor demands more of me as a leader and it will also challenge my problem solving, social and time managing skills."
Moffett plans on establishing long lasting relationships with the new 2014 counselors and students. He also wants the program to continue its progression of mentor/mentee roles.
"Furthermore, I want students to recognize the importance of going to college and majoring in STEM fields because they are the future," Moffett said.
Space is limited in this competitive program. The application deadline is April 18. For more information, call Amanda O. Williams at 901-678-5345.
