STEM Academy

Our mission is to improve our students' futures by increasing their exposure to opportunities in STEM careers and by improving their math skills.

• The next program dates: TBD
• For now we are returning to normal operations and are expecting to hold as an overnight camp experience. If camp delivery changes, we will update information on this page and notify student applicants. 
• There is no cost to attend the STEM Academy
• Camp includes:
  • Math instruction
  • Professional communication
  • Faculty-led STEM lessons with hands-on activities
  • Off campus field trips
  • Meet professionals in STEM Fields
  • Group project

If you are dropping off STEM Applications in person, we are located in the Office of Community Outreach in Howard Hall (second floor).  Questions can be emailed to communityoutreach@fgcu.edu. 

Applicants Must:

• Be a current high school freshman, sophomore, or junior
• Be attending schools in Lee and Collier Counties
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Have successfully completed Algebra 1
• Complete the STEM Academy Application Form
• Submit high school transcript
• Submit two (2) completed recommendation forms by appropriate personnel from a school and/or community agency

Be Ready

Below is some information you should have ready in order to make your application process easy.

• Know your math courses and grades during high school
• Name and email of your two (2) recommenders
• You will need to answer 2 short response questions with 100 words minimum. Below are the questions. (We recommend you first type your answers in a Word document and then copy and paste them into the application, as time is limited)
  • Tell us about yourself. Please include background information, your short and long term goals, and career plans.
  • Why do you want to participate in the FGCU/Sigma Pi Phi Epsilon Nu Boulé Pre-Collegiate Summer STEM Academy?

• Improve students' skills in mathematics
• Expose students to real-world math and its application in related career fields;
• Increase the students' awareness of STEM fields;
• Expose students to processes that will increase their likelihood of being accepted into college;
• Expose students to practicing professionals in STEM fields;
• Create internship opportunities for academy participants.

Our mission is to improve our students' future outlook by increasing their exposure to opportunities in STEM careers, and improving their math skills.

• Research shows that fewer students, particularly minority and low-income students, enter and persist in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs in the United States than in other programs.  A major stumbling block has been low math scores.
• To address this concern, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in partnership with the Collier County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) sought the opportunity for a two-week on-campus STEM Program.  In Southwest Florida, minority and low-income students lack an awareness of STEM as a viable career option.