Enrichment Opportunities
Information about Student Summer Scholarships from the Virginia Association for the Gifted
For an extensive list of summer opportunities check out the Summer Programs database at teenlife.com
Summer Residential Governor's Schools
June - July
Summer Residential Governor’s Schools provide gifted high school juniors and seniors with intensive educational experiences in visual and performing arts; humanities; mathematics, science, and technology; or through mentorships in marine science, medicine and health sciences, or engineering.
Each Summer Residential Governor’s School focuses on one special area of interest. Students live on a college or university campus for up to four weeks each summer. During this time, students are involved in classroom and laboratory work, field studies, research, individual and group projects and performances, and seminars with noted scholars, visiting artists, and other professionals. In the three mentorships, students are selected to work side-by-side with research scientists, physicians, and a variety of other professionals. A director and a student-life staff provide supervision of students 24 hours a day, throughout the program.
Nominations may be made by teachers, school counselors, peers, or by the students themselves. A school or division selection committee chooses the nominees from each school or division and forwards the nominees to a state committee. Consideration is given to students’ academic records, test scores, extra-curricular activities, honors, and awards, creativity, original essays, and teacher recommendations. Students applying for the Visual and Performing Arts Summer Residential Governor’s School participate in a statewide adjudication where they audition or present portfolios for review before a pair of professionals in the specific arts field. Because of the limited number of residential placements available, not all students who are nominated by their schools can be accepted for participation.
SEAP Internships with the Department of the Navy
June - July
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) places high school students in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories where they take part in real Naval research for eight weeks during the summer.
SEAP gives academically talented sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in STEM the opportunity to learn about Naval research and technology while receiving first-class mentoring by top scientists and engineers.
SEAP is a competitive program with around 300 placements in more than 30 laboratories around the country in which many participants go on to careers within the DoN. Interns are selected based upon academic achievement, personal statements, recommendations, and career and research interests.
View the flyer with more information here
ELIGIBILITY
High school students who have completed at least Grade 9 (See exceptions below)
Must be currently enrolled in high school (but may be taking college level classes for college credit)
Graduating seniors are eligible to apply
Must be 16 years of age or older by the internship start date to participate (See exceptions below)
Solely U.S. Citizens (See exceptions below)
EXCEPTIONS
Students should check individual lab pages for eligibility as some labs make exceptions for the following:
Grade minimum
Age minimum
Permanent Residents and Dual Citizens
DURATION & STIPEND
The internship has a duration of eight weeks (with the possibility of extending up to two additional weeks). Stipend levels will be determined by the student's years of participation in SEAP and will be paid bi-weekly via direct deposit. Stipends are as follows:
New participant: $4,000
Returning participant: $4,500
Design Discovery @ UVA School of Architecture
June
Design Discovery is a 6-day summer program hosted by the UVA School of Architecture that invites high school students of all backgrounds to unlock their creativity through design thinking. Each session will demystify design and introduce it as an empowering way of seeing and working in the world.
Participants will operate in both academic and real-world settings: a learning-through-making workshop series, an architecture firm visit, and a tour of an active construction site. An ‘I See Me’ lunch and learn series features conversations with a diverse cross-section of UVA alumni, faculty, and students. All youth participants will have access to dedicated workspace in our studio environment with appropriate safety orientation to our robust Fabrication Lab. Each program session culminates in a celebratory exhibit with food, families, and friends.
Virtual Session Overview Sign-Up for interested Students and Parents
Sunday December 17, 10am
Sunday January 14, 10am
Sunday February 18, 10am
Sunday March 17, 10am
Sunday April 14, 10am
SUMMER 2024 PROGRAM DATES + TIMES
Session 1: Monday June 10 – Saturday June 15, 9am - 4pm
Session 2: Monday June 24 – Saturday June 29, 9am - 4pm
PROGRAM LOCATION
We will begin and end each day at the UVA School of Architecture’s Campbell Hall (110 Bayly Drive, Charlottesville), taking advantage of our building's studio space, FabLab, and design software. Programming will include visits to locations in Charlottesville and across UVA Grounds. Dormitory options are available for non-local participants.
Summer Bridge: Women in STEM @ Radford University
July 14-19
The Radford University Artis College of Science and Technology Summer Bridge WOMEN IN STEM program is a week-long residential experience for rising sophomore, junior, and senior high school students interested in science, technology, and mathematics.
The 2024 edition will take place July 14-19. Applications are open at this link.
Areas studied in Summer Bridge: Women in STEM include:
Astronomy and Space Exploration
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Electronics
Geology
Mathematics
Robotics
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Drones
The Radford University Artis College of Science and Technology Summer Bridge Program: WOMEN IN STEM serves rising sophomore, junior, and senior high school students by facilitating a week of exploration in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from Virginia and other states. The Summer Bridge Program upholds the Radford University Artis College of Science and Technology (RUACSAT) commitment to enhancing science education and to increasing the number of women in STEM fields. The Summer Bridge Program is not limited to female participants and any rising sophomore, junior, and senior high school student interested in Women in STEM is invited to apply.
VA Dept of Conservation - Youth Conservation Corps
June & July 2024
Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) is a two-week, residential program consisting of work projects during weekdays and environmental education and adventure opportunities on weeknights and weekends. Ten Crew Members live at each park with three to four adult Crew Leaders. Crews are divided into male and female groups. The crew learns to live and work as a team of diverse individuals. The mission of YCC is to connect Virginia's youth with the natural world through a structured program of meaningful service projects on public lands. Youth build trails, friendships, environmental literacy and self-confidence as they work to preserve access to the outdoors for generations to come.
Session 1: June 16-29, 2024
Session 2: July 7-20, 2024
Chesapeake Bay Foundation - Student Leadership Summer Expeditions
July & August 2024
Explore to Learn. Learn to Lead.
Hike, fish, wade, and paddle in the most inspiring natural areas in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, all while learning how to be an effective advocate for the world around you!
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation - Student Leadership Summer Expeditions applications are OPEN! Join them in the field this summer! These multi-day, in-person, overnight experiences are open to rising 9th-12th graders who are interested in joining fellow students in their mission to advance advocacy, take action, and raise awareness to help save the Bay. Expeditions primarily take place outdoors where participants explore different parts of the watershed and engage with CBF staff, field experts, and scientists.
There are 4 different Expeditions that students may apply to. The cost is $500 per student and financial assistance is available through BRVGS - please contact Ms. Elliott BEFORE registering if you would like to be considered for aide.
VSGC Pathways Flight Academies
June, July, or August 2024
Pathways Flight Academies offer a free, 12-day immersive residential experience that provides ground school plus 10 hours of flight instruction with the potential to do a solo flight.
Virginia Space Grant Consortium, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Averett University, Rick Aviation, Aviation Adventures, and the Virginia Department of Aviation, is offering flight academies for selected high school students statewide in response to the looming national shortage of airline pilots and the growing need for aviation maintenance technicians and air traffic controllers.
This program will allow students to explore aviation career fields while learning to fly! The Commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Aviation are both providing funding that permits the Pathways Flight Academies program to be offered free of charge to participants.
The Pathways Flight Academies will immerse students in learning to fly while discovering the range of exciting aviation career opportunities available. Academies will be offered during the summer for selected students who have shown a passion for their career aspirations in becoming a commercial pilot as well as an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM).
USDA AgDiscovery
June, July, or August 2024
AgDiscovery is a free summer outreach program to help teenagers explore careers in agricultural sciences.
As an AgDiscovery student, you’ll live on a college campus for 2–4 weeks and learn from university professors and USDA experts—plant and animal scientists, biotechnologists, veterinarians, wildlife biologists, administrative professionals, and others. You’ll gain hands-on experience through labs, workshops, and field trips; participate in character- and team-building activities; and join in many other fun and educational events. It’s a unique chance to get a first-hand look at the many exciting career paths in agriculture.
SAME Marine Corps STEM Camp
June 23-29 2024
The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), a community of engineers that includes active duty and Federal civilian engineers, as well as members of the private engineering community, provides engineering design and construction support to the military services and Department of Defense. Every summer they put on summer camps for high school students interested in STEM. The camps are conducted on military installations and are open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The week-long camps, held in conjunction with the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, are designed for high school students who excel in math, science and technology courses and are interested in pursuing engineering, architecture, or a related field in college. This program is open to ALL high school students who meet the eligibility criteria listed in the application, not just military families. Additional details and links to the various camps are on our website.
The Blue Ridge SAME Post is located in Winchester, Virginia, and supports the engineering community in central Virginia. Last year they sponsored six students from Virginia to attend the SAME Summer Camps. This year they hope to sponsor another six students to attend the camps. As part of the sponsorship, the Blue Ridge SAME Post will cover their $800 camp tuition and up to $250 in transportation costs to get to and from the camps. BRVGS may also be able to support with financial aide (contact Ms. Elliott for details). The deadline for applications is 15 March 2024.