OSU Institute of Technology is once again offering eighth through 10th-graders a chance to learn more about careers in math and science and get a taste of college life at the annual Emerging and Converging Technologies Academy July 16 through 19.
“The purpose is to get students acclimated to college and the different options, so they can better prepare themselves while in high school,” said Angie Been, who organizes the event on the OSUIT campus. “Hopefully, it will give them insight into areas they are interested in or allow them to learn about other opportunities.”
The students enrolled in the free four-day academy, funded by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, will rotate to several of OSUIT’s academic programs for hands-on activities and learn about career opportunities in areas such as nursing and health sciences, visual communications, engineering, information technology, culinary arts, automotive and construction.
“I try to schedule visits to as many programs as possible on campus. My main focus is to show the correlation between math and science in these programs. Faculty help by finding hands-on activities for the students to participate in,” Been said. “Overall, the academy helps students learn first-hand how a college degree can help them reach their career goals.”
Malcolm Hushbeck, a Beggs High School student, has taken part in the academy for two years.
“It’s really fun. There’s lots of good people here, and it’s easy to make friends,” said Hushbeck. “I like to do the science activities. Making extension cords; that’s one of my favorites.”
The deadline for applications is April 1 and must include a 100-word essay from the student about why they want to attend and how it will benefit them if selected, as well as a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, administrator or community leader from their hometown.
For more information contact Angie Been at 918.293.4831 or email angie.been@okstate.edu.
Also, check out the Emerging and Converging Technology Academy web page at osuit.edu/academies to download the application and brochure.