The Appalachian Regional Commission accepted applications for two summer offerings starting in 2021 – the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) and the ARC / Oak Ridge Summer STEM program in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Both programs are free, intensive learning experiences designed specifically for high school and / or middle school students in the area. While AEA focuses on high school senior entrepreneurship, the Oak Ridge STEM program offers sessions for middle and high school students with a separate teacher-only session for STEM teachers.
Students and teachers in the following 24 Mississippi counties are eligible to apply for these programs. Registration or participation is free. Suitable counties are Alcorn, Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Ton, Itawamba, Kemper, Lee, Lowndes, Marshall, Monroe, Montgomery, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Webster, Winston and Yalobusha .
The Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy, developed in collaboration with the Institute for Educational Leadership, prepares the next generation of regional entrepreneurs and thinkers. Selected through a competitive application process, prospective high school graduates from across Appalachia are selected to participate in an intensive curriculum designed to encourage creativity, sharpen business acumen and develop skills essential to business success.
As part of enrollment, AEA attendees receive technical support, materials, a scholarship, and other resources to participate in all aspects of the program. Upon completion, participants will receive a formal certificate of completion.
The AEA will be held in two phases – one hands-on June 14-25 and the second in person in Pittsburgh July 12-30. Changes to this schedule may be made due to COVID-19 restrictions. Further information and application documents can be found at www.arc.gov/AEA.
The ARC / Oak Ridge Summer STEM program is a hands-on learning experience for Appalachian middle and high school students, as well as college teachers in STEM-related areas. This program is hosted by Oak Ridge Associated Universities and is a gateway to science, technology, engineering, and math in the Appalachian region. Working with award-winning scientists from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, high school and middle school students conduct guided research projects in group science, math, and computer science, while college professors work with science practitioners to develop a STEM-related curriculum.
Many students get their first contact with applied science and STEM education through this experience. The program runs from June 19 to July 2 for students and teachers and from June 26 to July 2 for middle school students. If COVID-19 restrictions allow, the program will be held in person in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Further information and application documents can be found at www.arc.gov/summerSTEM.
Applications for both options are due on March 1st.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, and the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy and ARC / Oak Ridge Summer STEM program provide young Appalachians with the opportunity to develop the skills and experience modern leadership demands,” said Tim Thomas, Co -Chairman of the ARC Federation. “I encourage students and educators interested in applying their STEM skills, or students who one day run a company, to apply for these programs.”
For more information on the Appalachian Regional Commission, visit www.arc.gov.
