SDSU's Colleges of Science and Engineering

San Diego State University's College of Sciences and College of Engineering open their doors to K-12 students, families, and the community to showcase their research through interactive exhibits.

SDSU will highlight their Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geology, and Psychology programs!

The event will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2020, between 9am-2pm. This event is free and so is parking.

The Experiment Digital

The Experiment Digital is a free, eight-week virtual exchange program sponsored by the US State Department that brings together students from the US, Algeria, Iraq, and Yemen to learn about leadership, civic engagement, peacebuilding, and project planning. The exchange program, conducted entirely online, will run this summer from June 22–August 16, 2020.

You are eligible to apply if you:

• Are between the ages of 14–19 years old
• Currently enrolled in or have not yet completed high school
• Reside in the United States, Algeria, Iraq, or Yemen
• Have basic English language competency
• Have regular access to the Internet*
• Can devote 4 hours each week to the program

*If selected to the program, you will be provided support for data plans if you do not have consistent access to the Internet.

Applications for The Experiment Digital 2020 are now open. Visit The Experiment Digital to apply.

Google Computer Science Summer Institute for the Class of 2020

Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) opportunities are now live for Summer 2020! High School seniors are encouraged to apply by Friday, February 28th 11:59 pm PT.

CSSI is not your average summer camp. It's an intensive and interactive program that seeks to inspire the tech leaders and innovators of tomorrow by supporting the study of computer science, software engineering, and other closely related subjects.

You can expect:

• a specially designed project-based curriculum to help prepare for your CS studies
• daily development sessions to help you prepare for future job opportunities
• an opportunity to interact directly with Google engineers
• exposure and insight into Google’s internship programs and technical career opportunities

Here’s what a previous student had to say about CSSI:
“Coming in not knowing, not writing more than a few lines of code before, I learned what it is like to be in the field and what I am interested in. I made connections that will last a lifetime and built relationships with my peers and instructors that I will cherish. The program couldn't be any better.”

To apply, students will need to do the following:

• Complete the general application, found on the website. This will include a high school transcript and answers to two essay questions.
• Participate in Google’s Online Challenge after the general application closes. You will receive further instructions after the general application closes.

The San Diego County Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation

The San Diego County Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation is offering need-based scholarships for first-year, full-time college students in San Diego County. The amount of each scholarship award will be announced in June or July. Last year, $170,000 was awarded to 170 students.


To apply, students need to complete the application, www.sdccsf.org, by March 2, 2020.

Save the Date!

Mesa College is thrilled to present Jumpstart Your Success: Cash in on Community College! This is a FREE event for prospective students, their families and friends on Saturday, March 21, 2020 from 8:30am-12:00pm. The campus will be open as we host various workshops, demonstrations, and presentations to showcase the diversity and depth of programs and services that Mesa College has to offer. In addition, we will have an opportunity drawing to win one of four $250 to attend Mesa College in the Fall.

Sign Up:
Prospective Student Registration Form : Spread the word by encouraging prospective students and family members to join this FREE, Engaging, and Informative introduction to Mesa College life!

You are invited to attend the Festival of Science and Engineering EXPO!

The Festival of Science and Engineering is a nine-day educational experience kicking off with 26,000 community members every year at EXPO Day at PETCO Park on Saturday, March 7th from 10:00am – 5:00pm. More than 75,000 kids, parents, teachers, industry leaders and community members participate in STEM Week, engaging in free interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities, showcasing San Diego County’s vibrant STEM community.

The main objective of the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering Week is to engage K-12 students, teachers, parents, and the greater community in exciting STEM activities, introduce the target audience to diverse STEM careers and role models, and increase awareness of STEM and its role in everyday life. This is done through the over 70 STEM-focused community events across San Diego County during Festival Week. More information is available at https://www.lovestemsd.org/

North Island Credit Union Student Scholarship Program

North Island Credit Union is awarding 10 students with a scholarship of $1,000. High school seniors and community college students transferring to a four-year university who maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 are eligible to participate. Selection criteria include academic performance, school or community involvement, a letter of recommendation, and an essay submission.  Applications are available through Monday, March 16, 2020. Interested students can find more information and apply online at https://northisland.ccu.com/scholarship2020

STEM Conference for Young Women Grades 6-10 at USD

Expanding Your Horizon of San Diego is a conference supporting young women along their path to a STEM career and will be held at the University of San Diego on March 14, 2020. This annual STEM conference for young women in grades 6-10, connects 350-450 girls from around San Diego County with STEM professionals in the San Diego community.  Each group of 15-20 girls is mentored by 2-3 female STEM undergraduate students, providing the girls with additional STEM-based interactions.  The goal is to increase the girls’ interest in STEM careers by providing exciting and engaging hands-on experiences. Follow the link for more info. https://eyhsandiego.org/

Miramar College Signing Day

On Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, San Diego Miramar College will host a Career Education Signing Day for San Diego Unified High School District students as well as current Miramar College students wishing to pursue an educational career in fields such as Advanced Transportation Technology, Biotechnology and Public Safety, among many others. The festivities are set to begin at 9 a.m. at Miramar College in L-105 and run through 1 p.m. National Career Education Signing Day is intended to celebrate the life-changing moment when students choose and commit to their future careers. Participants will receive a tour of various career education program facilities, sign a letter-of-intent to attend Miramar College, receive program swag, and enjoy a meet-and-greet with faculty and employers over lunch. Parents and family supporters are welcome to attend.

Do you Know a Future STEM Leader? The Athena Pinnacle Scholarship Applications are Now Open

Applications for the 2020 Pinnacle Scholarships are now open as Athena prepares to award merit-base scholarships to five remarkable high school seniors who are poised to be the next generation of women leading in STEM.

If you know a high-school senior planning to enter a four-year university to study in the sciences, technology, engineering or math fields, be sure to share the application with her.

Outstanding applicants are well-rounded women who’ve demonstrated academic excellence, leadership in school organizations, and community involvement. Winners receive their scholarships at our annual Pinnacle Awards celebration on May 13.

To apply:

· Complete the SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

· Provide an official copy of high school transcript

· Provide a letter of recommendation from a counselor or teacher at your school

· Deadline: Monday, March 16, 2020

Submissions must be made by mail (no online application process is provided, and no emailed applications will be accepted.) Please note that all documents must be postmarked on or before that date – including school transcripts. Please email staff@athenasd.org with questions.

Ocean Science Student Competition at USD

The University of San Diego's Environmental and Ocean Sciences Department invites high school students to compete in the 2020 San Diego Garibaldi Bowl. This event is part of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) academic competition and program that aims to engage students with ocean science, preparing them for ocean science-related careers, and helping them become environmental stewards. 

The Feb. 29 event at USD includes optional events in the months before the event for competing students, as well as specialized preparation for first-time participants or for schools with a high proportion of low-income students. For more information visit the Garibaldi Bowl webpage (http://home.sandiego.edu/~jcprairie/nosb.html) or the NOSB website (http://nosb.org/). Contact Dr. Jennifer Prairie (jcprairie@sandiego.edu) to schedule mentoring.

Scholarships for Undocumented Students

The WACAC IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) Committee would like to ensure that all members are informed about TheDream.US, the largest college access and success program in the country for undocumented students. 

This program’s application rounds are open for our two scholarship programs: 

• Opportunity Scholarship: an $80,000 award for undocumented students living in states where they do not qualify for in-state tuition (January 30 deadline). 
• National Scholarship: up to a $29,000 award for undocumented students living in states where they do qualify for in-state tuition (February 27 deadline). 

Please visit https://www.thedream.us/scholarships/ for more information.

Student Leadership Opportunity in DC

Plan International USA is now recruiting for their 2020 Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) taking place in Washington D.C. July 20-23rd, 2020. The program will be held at Catholic University of America and is open to US-based youth who are currently in 8th grade – 11th grade. 

The program builds young people’s knowledge and capacity in key development issues, like gender equality and climate action, and builds their personal leadership and advocacy skills. Young people participating in the YLA will design projects that they will implement in their community during the 2020/21 academic year with the support of small grants and a mentor from Plan’s youth network. 

The entire fee for participation is $100. This fee includes food, housing, activity costs, and transportation during the week. Participants will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from Washington, D.C. at the beginning and end of the YLA. Financial aid is available to those who are eligible.

The program also includes activities to celebrate diversity, learn about other cultures, and explore Washington D.C. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of Feburary 15, 2020 and a general deadline of March 1, 2020. Visit planusa.org/yla to apply.

STEM Conference for High School Girls

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) welcomes high school girls to learn about the exciting career possibilities in engineering and STEM at the UCSD SWE Envision 2020 Conference on February 8, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m at Jacobs Hall in UCSD. 

Students will participate in hands-on engineering activities and a STEM project fair, hear speakers from industry and academia, and have a chance to be mentored by engineering undergraduates. There will be a parallel parent-educator session that includes discussions about interrupting gender stereotypes in engineering, financial aid, and a student panel. 

Visit the program registration page https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUe8pQoZEpzTIzJ1ejqeI818XjP-NRrxYo2B_oJSfLRO7bxw/viewform for more information. Registration is free. Contact swe.envision.outreach@gmail.com with any questions.

The Fleet Science Center’s BE WiSE application window is open!

The Fleet Science Center’s BE WiSE Program application period is fast approaching! The FREE four year program for girls currently in 7th or 8th grade.

BE WiSE (Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering) is a program that stimulates and sustains girls’ interest in science through a science overnight event and workshops throughout their time in High School. Through this program girls will meet other like-minded girls, connect with female scientist role-models, and participate in many hands-on opportunities at science career sites all around San Diego County.

Application window for 2020 is January 2, 2020- February 4, 2020.

Please visit Fleet's website for more details and to apply https://www.rhfleet.org/application or contact Ivel Gontan with questions communityalliances@rhfleet.org

STEM in Your Backyard - Free STEM events in San Diego!

STEM in Your Backyard (SIYB) provides access to free, meaningful STEM experiences by bringing the spark of science directly to communities throughout San Diego. Each SIYB program is organized similarly to a street fair: local companies, non-profits and community organizations set up exhibit booths with fun, hands-on STEM activities for all participants. SIYB increases the opportunities for students to interact with STEM professionals, providing youth with positive and diverse STEM role models and changing the image of STEM. This STEM exposure encourages youth to stay involved in STEM and consider a career in this field a reality. SIYB provides a holistic approach to STEM outreach and education, as it incorporates parent education, teacher professional development, and year-round student engagement. Approximately 500-2,000 San Diegans from these communities participate in each SIYB Program. Support of this program speaks to a commitment to accessible, quality STEM educational experiences for our communities and a devotion to the sustainability of San Diego County’s thriving STEM-based industries.

Nonprofit and educational institutions who are interested in exhibiting, please fill out the brief application and you will be contacted with more information.

Interested in sponsoring a STEM In Your Backyard? Contact Karmin Noar, Executive Director knoar@biocom.org

Interested in volunteering at a STEM In Your Backyard? Contact Karmin Noar, Executive Director at knoar@biocom.org

Next event: Linda Vista, Kearny High School of Science Connections & Technology, February 26, 2020, 10:00am – 12:30pm

High Tech Family Night with the Fleet Science Center

Students and families from San Diego Unified are invited to attend the High Tech Family night at the Balboa Activity on February 6, 2020 from 5pm-8pm (2145 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101).

The High Tech Fair is a FREE event for both families and students and allows those who are interested in a scientific career the opportunity to speak with representatives from local STEM businesses. These representatives come from a variety of scientific sectors, including:

• Aerospace/Defense
• Biotech
• Energy/Sustainability
• Higher Education
• Environmental Science
• Technology

Family Night allows families with students in grades 7–12 to participate in a number of activities while being exposed to scientific fields they may not have considered before. Budding marine biologists, for example, can speak with representatives from Birch Aquarium and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography about the science they use as part of their daily jobs. So too can burgeoning cyber enthusiasts engage with businesses such as Northrop Grumman and General Atomics to learn how technology and engineering play a part in commercial aviation, military defense, virtual reality and unmanned aircraft.

To register for FREE tickets click here.

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the Nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships to military families. The scholarships are for children of eligible applicants pursuing a post-secondary education at any accredited school—whether that be a trade school, career training, community college, or four-year university. These scholarships are not competitive, and are awarded scholarships to every eligible applicant. 

In the 2019-20 academic year they awarded over $8.2 million to more than 2,360 students, and will provide a similar level of support in the 2020-21 academic year. 

The scholarship application for the 2020-2021 academic year opened on January 1, 2020 and will close on March 3, 2020. For more information on eligibility or to apply, visit www.mcsf.org/apply.

Drive2Life: PSA Contest About Seat Belt Safety

Drive2Life is running a Public Service Announcement Contest about seat belt safety. Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to become seat-belt-safety advocates. Participants will help save lives by researching the hazards of not wearing seat belts, and role-playing what to say when a family member or friend isn’t buckled up. Each participating student must create a storyboard or written script on 8.5 x 11-inch paper for a 30-second PSA promoting the importance of all passengers wearing a seat belt while in a vehicle.

One Grand Prize winner will win $1,000 and a trip to NYC to have his or her PSA filmed professionally. Plus, the winner and his or her PSA video will be featured on Teen Kids News! All entries must be post marked by February 4, 2020. 

Visit http://www.scholastic.com/drive2life/contest/index.htm for more information.

USD SOLES Innovation Lab

USD SOLES Innovation Lab offer free and open to the public STEAM workshops. Experience VR, coding, and designing thinking on a college campus!

Upcoming workshops include "Designing for a Better World Pactful App Introduction" on 1/30/20 from 12:00PM-2:00PM, and the "Creative Collaboration Stations: A Mindfulness Experience" on 2/20/20 from 4:00PM-5:50PM.

Sign up here. https://www.sandiego.edu/soles/jacobs-institute/professional-learning/workshops.php

Black College Expo & Scholarship Opportunity

Families are encouraged to attend the Black College Expo on Wednesday, January 29th from 12pm-6pm for on-the-spot college admission opportunities. Students should plan on bringing copies of their current high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores. Please view flyers for more information.

In preparation for the Expo, win dollars for college by answering the question, "Why is college education important to me?" This scholarship opportunity is currently open for 11th and 12th grade students, and the deadline 1/21/2020. Visit https://www.thecollegeexpo.org/students/scholarships and click on Black College Expo San Diego to apply.

San Diego Foundation Common Scholarship Application

The San Diego Foundation Common Scholarship Application gives San Diego students access to more than 100 scholarships that comprise the Community Scholarship Program by filling out just one application. 

Apply now! https://app.smarterselect.com/matching/444/start_page 

Deadline is February 5, 2020

BigSun Scholarship

The BigSun Organization is proud to be able to continue to help young athletes succeed in their academic pursuits. All student athletes are eligible for this award, regardless of which sport they are participating in. 

Deadline - June 19, 2020 

Amount of Award - $500.00 

The successful applicant will be a high school senior or be attending a post secondary institute and currently involved in some sport at that institution or in the community. Please visit this website http://www.bigsunathletics.com to apply.