The S-STEM (Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Program is designed to provide scholarships and academic support for students at Penn State Altoona who are majoring in one of our Engineering Technology (ET) programs. Participants in the program will become S-STEM Scholars. Support for S-STEM Scholars will continue until students graduate. The S-STEM Program is partially funded by the National Science Foundation under contract #0728567.

Financial Support

Scholarships, when coupled with other financial resources, should provide enough funds so that S-STEM Scholars will not have to have jobs while they are in college. They will then have more time to study and to participate in S-STEM activities such as special seminars and field tips. Scholarships are renewable each year as long as students are making satisfactory academic progress in an ET major.

Academic Support

S-STEM Scholars will begin with a Summer Bridge Program designed to get them off to a great start in college. The S-STEM Scholars will arrive on campus one week before the beginning of classes and participation in special activities to help them get acclimated to college-level work. Students at all stages will participate in activities such as those listed below. Seminars for S-STEM scholars on topics such as

1. success strategies
2. college study skills
3. creating relevant internship
4. international experience opportunities
5. tutoring, especially in math

A Mentoring Program

First-year students will be provided a mentor. In later years, upper-class students will have the opportunity to serve as mentors.