BP, one of the world's leading international oil and gas companies, has donated $30,150 to help launch a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) focused summer camp for young women on the Montana Tech campus. The camp called MINES (Making Innovations in Engineering and Science) will run from July 27 through August 2. The week-long summer camp will expose young women to some of the most exciting careers of the future. Through hands-on experiments, field trips, and lab-based activities, students will experience what it’s like to work in the STEM fields. Applications for the camp will be competitive and are open to young women who will be entering their sophomore or junior year in high school in the fall of 2014.
“As a recent engineering graduate from Montana Tech I am excited to share my experience with these young women who have aspirations to pursue a technical degree,” noted Courtney Benoit, Well Intervention Engineer with BP. “My role at BP has allowed me to gain adequate field experience while being office based, and the opportunity to work and learn about operations throughout Alaska, Onshore US and Deepwater. For these students, a career in STEM will present many opportunities, whatever discipline they may choose to pursue.”
Each day will focus on a different area of STEM and will take students to various parts of Montana’s vast outdoor classroom including caverns, streams, mountains, and geysers! Throughout the camp, students will work alongside professors and professionals and will get to meet and connect with some of the amazing women who work in STEM to make a difference in the world today.
“Montana Tech’s recruitment team has been talking about launching summer camps and we are very excited that BP has given us the means to develop a summer camp on our campus,” explained Stephanie Crowe, director of recruitment for Montana Tech. “Montana Tech’s focus on In Demand STEM fields makes our campus the ideal location to not only expose young women to many exciting STEM occupations, but also allows them to enjoy our breathtaking outdoor classroom! Young women have infinite career opportunities and I believe this experience will help participants plan for their future. Additionally, they will leave camp with a network of new friends interested in STEM and professional women working in STEM fields to help them on their journey. I am very excited to welcome the 40 lucky young women to our campus and to Butte, MT! Thank you BP!”
Applications are currently being accepted. Eligible young women must be entering their sophomore or junior year of high school and have an interest in STEM. Young women from minority populations are strongly encouraged to apply (must be a U.S. citizen). The camp is limited to 40 students. All application materials must be submitted by May 2nd and the young women will be informed of their admission decision by May 16th. Interested students can find more information, including the application packet, at www.mtech.edu/mines-camp. BP does not want interested candidates to be turned off due to application fees; thus, the application fee will be waived as part of BP’s donation.
The camp would normally cost selected participants $1200. However, due to the generous donation from BP America, each selected participant will receive a scholarship equal to $682. The remaining amount of $528 will cover lodging, meals, travel to and from workshops, and other facility fees. Upon acceptance, a $200 commitment fee will be required to guarantee placement and will go towards your camp costs. Travel expenses to and from the camp are not included. Scholarships, in addition to the BP scholarship, will be available. All additional scholarships will be determined based on need. The application is available on the website: www.mtech.edu/mines-camp or by contacting Stephanie Crowe, scrowe@mtech.edu.