NJIT's Saturday Morning STEM for Middle School Students—Our Review
STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are rapidly growing and offer strong opportunities for learning and growth. This growth can start while you’re in middle school itself and can be a starting point for a richer academic journey through high school and college.
This blog post will review the Saturday Morning STEM program offered by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), discussing how it can expose you to different STEM fields and help you develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, all of which are valuable in any academic pursuit.
What is NJIT's Saturday Morning STEM Program?
Designed for middle and high school students keen on engineering, NJIT's Saturday Morning STEM program is a five-class series that introduces you to various STEM concepts through hands-on activities, group projects, and interactive lessons. The program is led by NJIT faculty and staff and capped at a small class size to ensure individualized attention. The middle school program focuses on different engineering themes each week, while the high school program dives deeper into math and science concepts.
How is Saturday Morning STEM structured?
Saturday Morning STEM is offered in multiple, year-round sessions. The upcoming session is Fall ‘24, and there are Winter ‘25 and Spring ‘25 sessions planned. In the Fall ‘24 session, classes will be held every Saturday from October 12 to November 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Saturday Morning STEM program offers a variety of course options for middle schoolers, each focusing on different STEM concepts and applications. Here are the Fall 2024 course options:
Engineering Explorers: This course for 5th and 6th graders provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of engineering, covering a wide range of engineering disciplines. You will engage in projects and experiments to explore the fundamentals of mechanical, electrical, industrial, biomedical, and electrical engineering. You will also learn about real-world applications of these fields, and possible projects include designing bridges, creating electrical circuits, and developing medical devices.
Mighty Mathematicians: If you’re a 5th or 6th grader looking to build your mathematical problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities, this is the course for you. Here you will get to work on various mathematical concepts, including geometry, algebra, and logical reasoning. Through activities and challenges, you will learn the applications of concepts like fractions and decimals while also getting a head start on exploring more complex topics like pre-algebra.
Future Fixers: This course for 7th and 8th graders explores interesting, relevant ideas in environmental science and sustainability. You will learn about the interconnection of natural systems and the impact of human activity on the planet through hands-on experiments as well as community projects providing direct exposure.
Math Masters: This course is designed for 7th and 8th graders who have a strong foundation in math and are seeking advanced instruction. Through challenging problems and rigorous coursework, you will prepare for future studies in mathematics in high school. The program aims to build your confidence in math and give you a greater appreciation for the subject.
Is it prestigious?
Getting accepted into Saturday Morning STEM is a good way to demonstrate your interest and initiative to learn advanced STEM. The program is led by experienced NJIT faculty and staff, providing you with solid exposure to advanced courses in these fields. Small class sizes further enhance the learning experience and allow you to build connections with instructors and peers who share your interests. While it’s not particularly selective or prestigious, it can serve as a good stepping stone to more advanced programs and help you identify your interests within STEM.
Application information and costs
The NJIT Saturday Morning STEM program is open to students in grades 5 through 12 with an interest in STEM fields. No prior STEM experience is necessary.
You must be able to attend classes on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Applications are open till October 2, 2024, and the program costs $399 inclusive of all academic materials.
Pros and cons to consider
Pros:
Focus on hands-on learning: The program's emphasis on practical activities allows you to learn by doing and apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Experienced instruction: You will be taught by experienced NJIT faculty and staff, providing you with valuable guidance and mentorship.
Small class sizes: The program's small class sizes ensures individualized attention and personalized support.
Accessibility: The program is quite affordable compared to some other pre-college offerings, and it accepts students of all experience levels. This makes it a highly accessible option.
Cons:
Not particularly prestigious: The easy accessibility comes at the cost of a low prestige factor for this program.
Saturday-only schedule: The program is only offered on Saturdays, which may not be suitable if you have other commitments.
Limited learning: Since there are effectively only five classes you’ll be attending, the amount of learning you can attain from the program is quite limited.
Conclusion
NJIT's Saturday Morning STEM program is a good opportunity for middle school students interested in exploring STEM fields. The program offers a fun and engaging way to learn about different engineering concepts, develop useful skills, and gain exposure to advanced concepts and instruction in these fields. The program is not particularly prestigious or rigorous, and only five classes are offered each session. However, it can still serve as a good introduction to the world of STEM.
One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure!
To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.