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Summer STEM Program

Two students work on assembling an electronics circuit on a bread board. A room of students have computers out to work on programming microcontrollers. Students are watching a scientist do a flame test in a safety hood. Students in the Rube Goldberg class prototype components with cardboard and cups before 3D printing final parts. Summer STEM students test a gear for an elevator in the Rube Goldberg machine. Microcontrollers and breadboards used by Summer STEM students to assemble electronics. Alternative energy students prepare a viscosity test in a safety hood. Sustainable and green energy students test prototypes to gather energy from wind.

2020 Summer STEM applications will open January 6, 2020.

The Albert Nerken School of Engineering at the Cooper Union has been preparing high school students to pursue undergraduate careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields for over 30 years.

Program Description: The Summer STEM Program is a six-week intensive that immerses current high school sophomores and juniors in hands-on engineering design and problem-solving. Faculty and teaching assistants from the departments of civil, chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering provide students with foundational knowledge and expert guidance to address real-world problems in their respective disciplines of expertise.

Students also attend workshops on college and career planning and presentation and writing skills.  Most projects include at least one field trip to a local business, museum, or exhibition to enhance the students’ experience. This program culminates with each group presenting their work to an audience of invited guests. To recognize their successful completion of the program students will receive a certificate of achievement from the Albert Nerken School of Engineering.

We expect that many admitted students who spend their summer with us go on to pursue a STEM career simply because they are already interested in these fields. We are also searching for students who may not be completely convinced that a STEM career is for them and just want to explore - that's great!

2020 Projects: Project descriptions from 2019 are found here.  We will announce the 2020 projects on January. You select a first and second choice on your application.

Program Period: TBD

Daily Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm

ELIGIBILITY AND ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
We are looking for high-potential, hard-working, and creative sophomores and juniors in high school. These characteristics should be apparent in their transcript, personal essay, and letter of recommendation from a teacher or a guidance counselor. Grades are not the only criteria for admission.  All materials, including those from references, must be submitted by the deadline for full review and consideration.  Admission to the program is selective; screening of applicants begins on the deadline.

Application Deadline: early decision deadline is March 13, 2019. After that date, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

2020 Tuition & Fees: TBD.  Financial aid including an application fee waivers and full or half tuition scholarships are available. 

Email summerSTEM@cooper.edu to request the application fee waiver before you submit your application.

Note: Acceptance or rejection to the Cooper Union Summer STEM Program does not affect entrance to Cooper Union’s undergraduate program. However, your performance in Summer STEM may be used as a factor in admission into the undergraduate program if you apply.

The Summer STEM program is supported through generous donations from the Jon Ben Snow Foundationand The Henry Sterne Trust.

 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.