New York University to Offer Middle and High Schoolers Free Science and Engineering Programs
NYU's free STEM courses help underrepresented students gain real-world research experience.
By
Middle school and high schoolers now have the opportunity to engage in advanced STEM research through summer courses, thanks to New York University's Center for K12 STEM Education's free programs.
Every year, thousands of students enroll, with applications going upwards of almost 5,000 in 2024. There are close to a dozen classes offered within NYU's Tandon School of Engineering, which will look at such classes as artificial intelligence, protein engineering, and even digital media.
For half the free classes, The 74 Million reported that preference should be given by the administration and faculty for kids from lower and underrepresented socioeconomic groups or, for that matter, children belonging to races from underrepresented cultures.
The Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering, or ARISE program, is free for high school students and allows them to experience 10 weeks of tuition-free research alongside New York University professors and students in university labs.
The projects have ranged from studying ancient African tools to understanding human behavior to analyzing the links between cerebral spinal fluid and depression as well as developing FloodNet NYC, a $7 million city-funded project designed to monitor water levels in New York City. The program gives students hands-on experience that extends far beyond typical classroom education.
Other programs the center offers include Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities. This free course lets students apply their electronics and coding skills to solve urban challenges while learning how to market their ideas.
Students even participate in Shark Tank-style presentations to pitch their projects to entrepreneurs. These programs teach practical skills and inspire students to create innovative solutions for real-world problems in their communities.
How NYU Chose These Free Programs
NYU works with local educators to design and evaluate these courses, keeping them relevant to current STEM trends. Teachers act as supervisors and curriculum developers, incorporating cutting-edge practices into lesson plans. This partnership keeps the center's programs connected to both academic research and real-world STEM applications.
Essays, teacher recommendations, and interviews make the program find passionate students showing curiosity and interest in STEM. According to Ben Esner, director of the center, showing students in-depth opportunities in STEM helps them see science and math applied to real-life problems. Application deadlines vary, from February to May for most programs.
