Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM)'s STEAM Academy - 8 Reasons to Apply
If you want to pursue academics in science, technology, engineering, arts or mathematics, there are plenty of pre-college programs out there to explore these “STEAM” fields while still in high school. The reason you should strongly be considering participating in one or more such programs is because they are designed to broaden your knowledge bases, improve problem-solving skills, and most importantly enhance your academic profiles thanks to the immersive, hands-on learning experiences on offer. Today’s blog focuses on one such pre-college STEAM program, the Morehouse School of Medicine’s STEAM Academy, and the reasons why we think it’s a valuable opportunity for you.
What is the STEAM Academy
The Morehouse School of Medicine is part of the medical education program at Morehouse College and one of the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians. The STEAM Academy at MSM is part of their initiative to increase the presence of underrepresented groups in medicine and science. It provides three- to six-week workshops and research experiences for high school students that promotes early interest in biomedical research and health careers. By combining rigorous academic instruction with interactive, hands-on learning, the academy seeks to foster enthusiasm, deepen knowledge, and build critical skills from a young age.
How is the STEAM Academy structured?
The STEAM Academy provides two options to pursue - a set of workshops over three weeks, or a full six-week research experience. Here’s some details about both:
3-week session This part of the Academy is composed of sessions on healthcare app development, anatomy, health career exploration, laboratory techniques, and college workshops. These sessions can be attended both in-person and virtually, offering you a lot of flexibility. The sessions start on Monday June 3, 2024 and are conducted Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm till Friday June 21, 2024.
In-person research experience This is a six-week, in-person program in which you will be paired with an MSM research mentor to complete a scientific investigation. You’ll experience what modern medical research is like at the MSM campus, working on a real research project alongside an MSM scientist or medical researcher. You’ll be working from 9 am to 4 pm from June 4, 2024 to July 12, 2024.
Is it prestigious?
The STEAM Academy is a notable opportunity when it comes to preparing for advanced studies in STEAM fields. The eligibility criteria are reasonably strict, while still being accessible enough for an interested student to apply. What sets it apart is the option, though only in the in person program, to work on real-world medical research alongside an MSM mentor. Even the three-week workshops have tremendous learning and exposure on offer, allowing you to not just boost your STEAM knowledge base but also get a head start in preparing for college. Overall, we’d rate this program as moderately prestigious for the exposure and mentorship on offer, though the best learning is restricted to the in-person experience.
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for the STEAM academy, you must:
Be a rising 9th through 12th grade high schooler (rising 10th-12th for the research experience).
Have a 3.0 GPA.
Demonstrate interest in biomedical research.
How does the application process work?
An application for the STEAM Academy requires submission of a completed application form, which is available on the MSM website. If you’re applying to the six-week research program, you’ll also need to provide the following:
Two recommendation letters, at least 1 being from a science teacher.
A letter describing why you’re interested in laboratory research, and what research at MSM you’re interested in.
8 reasons you should apply to STEAM Academy
You’ll learn advanced scientific skills: This program will allow you to gain hands-on experience in using scientific instruments and laboratory techniques.
Direct mentorship on offer: You’ll be working closely with, or learning directly from, experienced research mentors from MSM.
Comprehensive career exploration opportunity: The Academy gives a lot of opportunity to learn about various careers in the biomedical and health sciences fields through targeted workshops and courses.
Robust academic preparation for college: The STEAM Academy is a good way to enhance your college application with specialized, advanced knowledge in STEAM fields.
Solid networking opportunities: The program allows you to connect with other ambitious students and professionals in healthcare and research.
Tangible research experience on your profile: If you take part in the six-week program, you’ll be conducting actual scientific research, providing a solid foundation for a future in medical research. You’ll be able to add your contribution to research on your profile and give yourself a leg up in applications.
Real-world applications to what you learn: Where you develop and explore real-world healthcare apps, or work on a medical research project, all your learning will be both practical and applicable.
An inclusive opportunity: The STEAM Academy is designed to improve access to and encourage entry to biomedical research for all students, especially those from backgrounds not traditionally represented.
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs!
This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.
You can find the application link here
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in STEM, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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.
Image Source: Morehouse School of Medicine logo