Make It Matter Camp Scholarship
In partnership with Science-U, Penn State’s Center for Nanoscale Science has created a scholarship opportunity for motivated high school students from diverse backgrounds to attend Make It Matter, July 8-12, 2024. To learn more about the Center for Nanoscale Science as a Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), please visit its website. Applications are due January 17, 2024!
Make It Matter Camp Description:
Dates: July 8-12, 2024 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Day & Residential Spots Grades 9-12
Have you ever wondered how materials and the science surrounding them can help change the world? Creating a sustainable world for ourselves and for future generations really matters! Scientists and engineers have a huge role to play in building a sustainable future, and in this camp, you’ll see how researchers in fields ranging from materials science to chemistry and biology make a difference by designing new materials, inventing new ways to create and store energy, studying how to protect our ecosystems, and much more! Through lab visits, field trips, demonstrations, leadership activities, and hands-on science challenges, you will be inspired to think about how you can harness the world-changing possibilities of science and engineering in entirely new ways! Join us for an unforgettable experience focused on making sustainability matter!
Note: The first full day of camp is Monday, July 8, but residential campers will move in the evening of Sunday, July 7. Also, high school camps with residential spots may have evening activities scheduled that are open to and recommended for all campers! These evening activities will be communicated to registered campers as soon as possible and flexible arrangements can be made for day campers if they are unable to stay for evening activities. For more information about residential camps, click HERE!
Links to Scholarship Documents:
Below is a link to the entire scholarship document containing the Instruction Page, the Application Form, and the Teacher/Mentor Recommendation Form. Click the link to download the document. Tips for completing a fillable PDF are below, or you may print the document and complete it by hand. When returning the completed documents electronically, please add your name to the document title.
Below are individual links for the Information Page, Application Form, and the Teacher/Mentor Recommendation Form in case you want to download them separately.
Scholarship Selection Criteria:
- Entering 9th through 12th grades in the Fall of 2024
- Sincere interest in learning about Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Math (STEM)
- Passion for sustainability
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Demonstration of a positive attitude and strength of character
- Motivation to learn and academic effort
This scholarship program seeks to attract individuals who value diversity and inclusion. Applicants from populations that are underrepresented and/or underserved in STEM are encouraged to apply.
Scholarship Timeline:
- All materials are due by January 17, 2024.
- Scholarship applications will be reviewed by the Make It Matter Scholarship Committee.
- Applicants will be notified by January 31 which is before Science-U registration opens on February 7 at noon.
Instructions for Applicants:
- Complete the Scholarship Application Form and write a 1-2 page essay answering the following three questions:
- What areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) interest you the most and why?
- What does sustainability mean to you, and why does it matter?
- Why is it important to have diversity and inclusion in STEM? How have you contributed to diversity or included others in your school?
- Ask a teacher from a previous or current science, mathematics, engineering, or technology class OR a STEM mentor (adult who you have worked with in a STEM club or activity, excludes family members) to complete the STEM Teacher/Mentor Recommendation Form (available below). (Remind them to submit before the January 17, 2024 deadline!)
- Submit your Application Form and essay by January 17, 2024 in one of the following ways:
Mail: Science-U Summer Camp Program
Make It Matter Scholarship Committee
201 Ritenour Building
University Park, PA 16802
Email: sciencecamps@science.psu.edu
For paper application forms, questions, or more information, contact the Science-U office at sciencecamps@science.psu.edu.
Quotes from past scholarship recipients:
This program has given me a chance to see what college life will be like … and it has allowed me to spend my summer learning more about different sciences.
thank you for giving me the opportunity to get to know more about the STEM field and spend part of my summer at Penn State.
Follow these steps to complete a PDF Fillable Form:
1. Download and Install Adobe Reader Software. To access, view, download, complete and print fillable forms you will need to use the latest Adobe Reader. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for free and can be downloaded from https://get.adobe.com/reader/ if your computer does not have it currently. Follow the instructions from Adobe to properly install the software. 2. View the Form, and then Save it to your computer. Click the button or website link that leads to the form. When it is open, select the “Download” or “Save” icon. You might be given the opportunity to choose where to save your PDF form. If you are not able to choose the folder location, it will be saved to your "Downloads" folder. 3. Open the Form and complete it. Locate the PDF file you saved in the last step in Windows and double click it to open. When the form is open, proceed to fill it out as required. 4. Save the PDF Form with a new name. When the PDF form is complete, save it as a new document with your last name in the title. (example: ApplicationForm_Science). At this point, you can attach the completed and saved document to an email and send it back for review. Alternatively, you may print it to be mailed or faxed. |
Questions?
Contact us via email at sciencecamps@science.psu.edu or give us a call at (814) 865-0083.
Office of Science Outreach, 201 Ritenour Building, University Park, PA 16802
For more information, please see Information for Parents from the Penn State Office of Ethics and Compliance.
