FAQs

2019 ENC STEM Student Representative Applications are now open! Apply today!

If you have any questions in the meantime, please email Caroline Harris at caroline@encstem.org.

        

PROGRAM BASICS

Question: When is the 2018 ENC STEM program?
Answer: The in-county program runs from Monday, June 18, 2018 through Friday, June 29, 2018. Students selected for the third residential week at NCSSM will be required to participate in ENC STEM programming Friday July 6, 2018. Selected students will reside NCSSM from Sunday, July 8, 2018 through Friday, July 13, 2018.
 
Question: What time does school start and end each day?
Answer: ENC STEM will run from 9 am through 4 pm each day for the duration of the program.
 
Question: Will I have transportation to and from school?
Answer: Yes, transportation will be provided for students. Directors will do their best to create a bus route that will pick up students as close to home as possible. However, given funding constraints, students may need to be picked up at bus stops on main roads.
 
Question: Will students need to be available on weekend dates?
Answer: Yes, students who have earned the third residential week at NCSSM will need to travel to Durham on Sunday, July 8, 2017 so will need to be available to leave from Gaston, NC that morning.
 
Question: Who can apply for ENC STEM?
Answer: Rising 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who attend Northampton County High School, KIPP Pride High School, Roanoke Rapids High School, Weldon High School, Roanoke Valley Early College, Northwest Halifax High School, and Southeast Halifax High School.
 
Question: How many students will be accepted?
Answer: We will accept approximately 120 students for the 2018 Eastern North Carolina STEM Summer Program. A maximum of 70 students will be able to attend the NCSSM portion.
 
Question: What is the attendance policy? Can I miss a day?
Answer: This is a competitive, valuable, and free summer opportunity for students. As such, students will only be allowed ONE excused absence. Excused absences include doctor’s appointments or family emergencies. Beyond one excused absence, students will meet with STEM Directors. At this point, students may be unable to attend the week at the North Carolina School of Science and Math or may be dismissed from the program.
 
Question: What kinds of field trips will we go on?
Answer: In previous years, our students have attended field trips in the Triangle Area at places like NC State’s Challenge Course, NC State University’s Campus, and Biogen Idec’s Community Lab.
 
Question: Will I need to bring money on the field trips?
Answer: ENC STEM will provide students with lunch on field trip days. However, ENC STEM will not cover the cost of additional snacks or other outside purchases (e.g. at NC State’s Student Stores).
 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Question: What does the online application ask me to do?
Answer: The application asks students to complete 3 essays, a teacher recommendation, and a resume. Students will also be expected to submit their full high school transcript, complete with GPA and class rank (if available).
 
Question: How long will it take me to fill out the online application?
Answer: The application takes students approximately 2 hours to complete. However, it should be noted that admission into the program is based on the quality of the submitted work. A quality application might take some students an hour, while others might need 2 or more hours. Students can save their work and complete their application in more than one sitting, but we recommend completing the student part of the application all at once.
 
Question: Who should write my teacher recommendation?
Answer: We request that a core content (preferably math or science) teacher write your recommendation. Please select a teacher who can speak to your work ethic, attitude, and academic achievement.
 
Question: What is the deadline for submitting the online application?
Answer: There are three deadlines to submit the online application. The first early decision deadline is on March 1, 2018, the second early decision deadline is on March 16, 2018, and the final deadline is on April 1, 2018. In order for your application to be considered, your transcript AND teacher recommendation must be complete.
 
Question: How will I know if my application is complete?
Answer: You’ll know if your application is complete by checking your status in the application portal. Your application will be complete if you have submitted the student portion and your teacher has successfully submitted your teacher recommendation.
 
Question: What if my teacher says they didn’t get an auto-generated email for my recommendation?
Answer: Ask your teacher to search for the auto-generated email in their spam folder. If there is still no email, reach out to Mr. Cooper at grayson@encstem.org.
 
Question: Who will be reviewing the applications?
Answer: ENC STEM leadership team members will be reviewing all applications and selecting the most qualified applicants for the 2018 summer program.
 
Question: When will I find out whether I have been accepted for ENC STEM?
Answer: Students will be notified by March 30, 2017 if they apply by the March 17, 2017 deadline. Students will be notified by April 16, 2017 if they apply by the March 30, 2017 deadline. Students will also be notified on these dates if they have been put on the waiting list for the 2017 program. Students will be accepted off the waiting list if additional spots become available.
 
Question: If I have questions about using the application portal, who do I contact?
Answer: If you have questions, please feel free to contact Caroline Harris at caroline@encstem.org.
 

IN-COUNTY EXPERIENCE AT GASTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

Question: What does a day of school look like during the first two weeks of the program?
Answer: Students will take four classes for the duration of the two weeks. The four courses will be in science, technology, math, and leadership.
 
Question: Can I choose my courses?
Answer: Courses will be assigned to students based on their prior coursework. For example, students will be assigned to the math and science courses they will be taking in the upcoming school year, so rising 11th grade students who have completed earth science and biology will be assigned to chemistry (since that is what they are scheduled to take the following fall). In addition, there will be two distinct Technology courses (Tech I and Tech II) and two distinct Leadership courses (Leadership I and Leadership II).
 
Question: Will we have homework?
Answer: Since ENC STEM is a summer enrichment program, students will NOT be assigned daily homework assignments. Students are expected to fully engage in course material during class times and to make the most of the experience.
 
Question: What is Community Night?
Answer: In the past two years of the program, ENC STEM has hosted successful Community Nights where students presented STEM and Leadership projects to family and friends.
 
Question: When is Community Night?
Answer: The 2018 ENC STEM Community Night will be held on Wednesday, June 27th. Additional information will be made available as the event draws near.
 
Question: Why should I pick ENC STEM over other similar summer programs?
Answer: While there are other programs with similar missions in North Carolina, ENC STEM is a unique opportunity reserved for students in Northampton County Schools, Roanoke Rapids Graded School District, Halifax County Schools, Weldon City Schools, and KIPP ENC schools. In addition, this program blends in-county learning with a residential learning at NCSSM to give students two distinct experiences that will better prepare them for the upcoming school year and for college.
 

RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE AT NCSSM

Question: How many students will be chosen to attend the residential experience at the NC School of Science and Math in Durham?
Answer: Given limited space at NCSSM, we will be able to take up to 70 students with us to the ENC STEM Academy in Durham.
 
Question: How will students be selected for the sleepaway portion at NCSSM?
Answer: The 70 students will be selected based on attendance and their demonstration of our core character traits: professionalism, urgency, perseverance, curiosity, and collaboration. All ENC STEM students will be evaluated by their instructors and by ENC STEM directors. Students will be notified by the end of the day on Friday, June 29, 2018 as to whether they will be invited to NCSSM.
 
Question: If selected, how will I get to the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham?
Answer: All students will be provided transportation to and from the North Carolina School of Science and Math by bus.
 
Question: Can I drive my own car to NCSSM?
Answer: No, students will need to ride the bus to NCSSM. There is no need to have a car on campus since students will not be allowed off-campus without ENC STEM supervision.
 
Question: Where will be we staying?
Answer: All ENC STEM students will be housed in dorm rooms at NCSSM. Students will be assigned roommates and will be supervised by ENC STEM staff for the duration of the residential program.
 
Question: If I have family or friends in the Triangle area, can I stay with them while at NCSSM?
Answer: No, students will not be able to stay with family or friends in the Triangle area. Students will remain on campus supervised by ENC STEM staff for the duration of the week and will leave campus only for pre-approved field trips.
 
Question: If I have family or friends in the Triangle area, can I visit them off-campus for the week we are at NCSSM? Can they pick me up and drop me off?
Answer: No, students will not be able to visit with family or friends off-campus during your week at NCSSM. Students will remain on campus supervised by ENC STEM staff for the duration of the week and will leave campus only for pre-approved field trips.
 
Question: Will I be provided meals at NCSSM?
Answer: Yes, students will be provided three meals per day at NCSSM. However, additional snacks will not be provided so students are encouraged to bring these with them.
 
Question: Will I have a curfew?
Answer: Yes, all students will have a curfew for bed. All students will need to be checked into their halls and their dorm rooms at times TBD.
 
Question: What will I do outside of class time?
Answer: ENC STEM students are encouraged to explore the NCSSM campus and resources outside of structured class times. Other summer programs will be running at the same time so there will be additional high school students on campus to interact with. Take advantage of this college-like structure and practice managing your own time! Students will also be expected to complete a unique science and engineering project with a small group during their time at NCSSM. Therefore, students are expected to manage their time wisely and complete this project before their assigned deadline at the end of the week.

Copyright 2016·ENC STEM All rights reserved