Indians Into STEM (INSTEM)

INSTEM’s mission is to increase awareness and interest in STEM careers among ND Native American K-12 students, while also providing them with the opportunity to live and study on a college campus to increase self-efficacy in STEM academic content and future higher education enrollment.

INSTEM is designed as a cohort model that encourages students to apply and participate in a new experience every year all the way through high school graduation.

• North Dakota students who have completed 6th grade or higher.
• Application preference is given to students who are enrolled members and/or descendants from a federally recognized tribe.

• Application preference is also given to students who have successfully participated in the past.

• The application is completed online. It is available here.

• Application for Summer 2024 closes Friday, April 26, 2024.

• Must be a ND student who has completed 6th grade or higher.
  • Application preference is given to students who are enrolled members and/or descendants from a federally recognized tribe.
  • Application preference is also given to students who have successfully participated in the past.
• Must be able to provide a brief statement about why you want to participate in INSTEM and a brief statement about yourself (e.g. your family, culture, personality, character, education, hobbies/interests, career, goals, extra-curricular activities, etc.) (See application for additional information).
• Must be able to provide your most recent report card grades in Math, Science, English Language Arts, and two other classes of your choice. (See application for additional information).
• Must be able to provide contact information for a recommender to complete a reference form on your behalf (e.g. teacher, counselor, coach, administrator). Recommender cannot be a relative. Student applicant will not be able to review their recommender’s response.

• Application for Summer 2024 closes Friday, April 26, 2024.

• Yes. INSTEM is designed as a cohort model that encourages students to apply and participate in a new experience every year all the way through high school graduation.  Therefore, students who have successfully participated in the past are encouraged to return for future years.  We do, however, anticipate capacity for many new applicants.  Therefore, students who have not attended in the past are highly encouraged to apply with confidence.

• Each student’s performance and level of engagement while participating in INSTEM will be assessed to help inform INSTEM staff concerning future years’ application approval.

• While VCSU Wifi is available in the residence halls, this is only for VCSU students, faculty, and staff with login credentials.

• You will only have Wifi access during specific academic sessions (when needed).  If you have an LTE enabled smart phone with data plan you will be able to use this during certain times after hours, including in your residence hall room.

• (Note:  a single bed with a bare mattress is provided).  Students will want to consider bringing any or all of the following:
  • Sleeping bag, bed sheets, pillow, pillowcase, blankets, comforters, etc.
• Bath towel, hand towel, washcloth, etc.
• Clothing for various weather conditions (indoor/outdoor, hot/cold)
• Footwear for various settings. (walking/athletic shoes are best. Closed toe shoes are required for some outdoor and/or field trip destinations)
• Swimwear (for indoor and/or outdoor pool)
  • Swimming pool towel. Note: Residence halls will typically not provide bath towels, but if they do, these towels cannot leave the building. Note: INSTEM personnel will have some swimming pool towels available for students to borrow if needed.

• Sunglasses/Hat
• Toiletries
  • Soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair care products, etc.
• Cell phone (if desired)
  • Usage of cell phones will typically NOT be allowed during the day’s activities but WILL be allowed for a short time after hours. Specific cell phone rules will vary, but if you bring one you should be prepared to “turn in” your cell phone to your adult chaperones for most of the day.
• Games, books, etc. for evening down time.
• Medications (if needed).

• Valuable items
  • Large amounts of cash
  • Jewelry
  • Electronics (e.g., tablets, computers, video game systems, televisions)

• Weapons

• Chaperones will be with students all day, every day (including all INSTEM activities, meals, and overnight stays in the residence hall).

• Typically, there will be two chaperones for every group of 15 students. These chaperones may be VCSU students (e.g., Residence Hall Assistants, Viking Ambassadors) or local teachers, administrators, other university staff, etc.

• Each day’s agenda will be filled with STEM education activities, labs, field trips, etc. These agendas will vary depending on your age and/or which experiences you have participated in during past years.

• • Click HERE to view last year’s Year 1 agenda (for students entering 7^th grade)
  • Click HERE to view last year’s Year 2 agenda (for students entering 8^th grade)
  • Click HERE to view last year’s Year 3 agenda (for students entering 9^th – 12^th grade)

• Most meals will be eaten at the VCSU Student Center cafeteria. (Note that VCSU food services will be able to accommodate most dietary restrictions, which can be specified in the application if needed).
• Some meals may be eaten at a local restaurant (e.g., during an off-campus field trip).

• Afternoon snacks may be provided occasionally.
• All meal costs, including any off-site meals, will be covered by VCSU.

• Clothing for various weather conditions (indoor/outdoor, hot/cold)
• Footwear for various settings. (walking/athletic shoes are best. Closed toe shoes are required for some outdoor and/or field trip destinations)

• Swimwear (for indoor and/or outdoor pool)

• The detailed agenda for your week will be made available prior to your arrival.
• In general, students entering 7^th or 8^th grade will participate in multiple short sessions (around 90 minutes) exploring a wide variety of STEM-related fields.

• Older students will engage in more focused STEM projects that they will have the option to self-select into through a preference survey of available projects.

• You are responsible for your own transportation to and from VCSU.
  • Arrive by 4:00 PM on Sunday.
  • Depart at 2:00 PM on Thursday.
• Any transportation required during the week will be provided by VCSU.

• If you are unable to provide transportation for yourself, you will have an opportunity to provide additional information within the application. Note that VCSU may be able to assist with arranging transportation, but cannot guarantee this.

• Formal grades are not assigned for INSTEM academic sessions.
• INSTEM will, however, collect assessment data from each student by way of surveys, daily reflections, etc.

• Each student’s performance and level of engagement will be assessed to help inform INSTEM staff concerning future years’ applications.