Step Up to STEM provides students the chance to explore curriculum in ways not typically available to them during the standard school year. During the first summer of the week-long program, students will be engaged in an interdisciplinary science, mathematics, and biomedical engineering curriculum supported by a writing component. The program will also dive into biological systems and associated cellular processes. During the second summer of the week-long program, students will participate in a research-focused course.
Enrichment activities outside of class time further develop students’ social and academic learning through on- and off- campus events and field trips. Past activities have included planetarium shows, hip hop writing workshops, attending baseball games, visits to labs, board game nights, sports, STEM career panels, ice cream socials, and tours of university campuses.
A Typical Academic Day
Step Up to STEM participants receive one-on-one attention from instructors and mentors. Session groups are comprised of 16 students or less with several counselors and instructors to provide personal attention to participants. A typical weekday looks like this:
Cohort 1
8:00 a.m.: Breakfast
9:00 a.m.: Session 1: Math
10:30 a.m.: Session 2: Engineering
12:00 p.m.: Lunch
1:00 pm.: Session 3: Science
2:30 p.m.: Enrichment activities
5:30 p.m.: Dinner
6:30 p.m.: Wellness/free time
7:00 p.m.: Enrichment and student life activities
9:30 p.m.: On hall check and meeting
10:00 p.m.: In-room curfew
Cohort 2
8:00 a.m.: Breakfast
9:00 a.m.: Research-Focused Course
10:30 a.m.: Research-Focused Course
12:00 p.m.: Lunch
1:00 p.m.: Research-Focused Course
2:30 p.m.: Enrichment activities
5:30 p.m.: Dinner
6:30 p.m.: Wellness/free time
7:00 p.m.: Enrichment and student life activities
9:30 p.m.: On hall check and meeting
10:00 p.m.: In-room curfew
Key Dates for Summer 2024
December 1, 2023: Application portal opens
January 11, 2024: Step Up to STEM at ECSU Virtual Information Session:
Register Here: https://forms.gle/mA2KgVPUy3M4eQC29
January 18, 2024: Step Up to STEM at NCSSM-Durham Virtual Information Session:
Register Here: https://forms.gle/rAngys9eW7kcbwr98
February 8, 2024: Application portal closes
March 13, 2024: Acceptance decisions emailed
March 27, 2024: Deadline for acceptance contracts to be submitted
June 16-21, 2024: Cohort 2 (NCSSM-Durham)
July 7-12, 2024: Cohorts 1 and 2 (ECSU)
July 14-19, 2024: Cohort 1 (NCSSM-Durham)
Step Up to STEM Virtual Office Hours:
The purpose of the Step Up to STEM Virtual Office Hours is to answer any questions that parents, students, and/or educators may have about the Step Up to STEM application process. Click below to sign up for a 15-minute time slot during one of the dates/times listed below.
(https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AA9A92BA0FEC16-45969057-step)
December 7, 2024: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
January 25, 2024: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Program Director, NCSSM-Durham
Program Director, ECSU
Contact Us
Gerri Cole
Associate Director of STEM Outreach, Equity, and Engagement