Cornell HS Summer Engineering Academies Seeking Applicants

The CURIE and CATALYST Academies are one-week summer residential programs for high school students who excel in math and science, enjoy solving problems, and want to learn more about careers in engineering. The target population for the CURIE Academy is rising junior and senior women students of all backgrounds; while the target population for the CATALYST Academy are rising junior and senior male and female students from backgrounds (African American, Native American/Alaska Native, Latino/a and Pacific Islander) severely underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines.

During these summer academies, Cornell University's world-renowned faculty and graduate students lead classes, lab sessions, and a research project designed for Academy participants. During the week, students work in teams conducting research and learning to solve problems that mirror real-life situations. In addition, social events, panel discussions, and other out-of-classroom activities provide participants with opportunities to network informally with each other and Cornell faculty, staff, and students.

Primary goals of our academies include:

• Expose students to the exciting opportunities that exist for them in engineering; 
• Help students understand that women and all underrepresented minorities belong and are needed in STEM fields; 
• Demonstrate the connections between the study of engineering and solving problems affecting people and society. 

Please share the enclosed information about the CURIE and CATALYST Academies with eligible students interested in STEM fields. We also encourage you to share this information with science and math teachers so they may distribute it to their students.Rising seniors (class of 2020) who are African/Black American, Latino, Native American/Alaska Native, or Pacific Islander and/or first generation college students meeting the requirements below will be automatically considered for a full tuition waiver for the 2018 CATALYST Academy or CURIE Academy. 

Math Score on the SAT/PSAT/Subject Test should be 620 or above (or equivalent ACT score of 28 or above) 

and/or 

Have taken, currently taking, or plan to take the following courses prior to graduating in 2020: Calculus, Physics, and/or Chemistry (or related advanced Science and Math courses)

All program materials including the link to the online application and the recommendation form for our summer academies are available at the following websites:


CURIE Academy: https://sites.coecis.cornell.edu/curieacademy/
CATALYST Academy: https://sites.coecis.cornell.edu/catalystacademy/

Additionally, a PDF version of our Program Overviews (below) and recruitment poster can be downloaded at the following link: CURIE & CATALYST Program Overviews & Flyer