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: June 15th-June 27th, 2025
• This camp is 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

We are located in the Office of Community Engagement & 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.