65^th Annual 
Frontiers of Science Institute
Science in a Changing World

Applications open now!

Calling all high school students! Spend your summer engaged in authentic experiences to grow your knowledge and interest in STEM. Make friends, have fun, and experience a collegiate learning environment while learning about cutting-edge STEM topics and engaging in mentored research.

What is FSI?

Since 1959, the Frontiers of Science Institute (FSI) at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley has provided opportunities for high school students with STEM aspirations to come together to explore. When you participate in FSI, you will have authentic, engaging experiences to grow your knowledge and interest in STEM. 

How does FSI work?

• • field trips,

    • Overnight field trips (with camping) may be scheduled and are mandatory
  • seminars by professionals from academia and industry,
  • mentored research,
  • classroom and laboratory work
  • and FSI’s new STEM Entrepreneurship Challenge  - learn about startup companies and explore how your STEM interests can be applied to a business model by creating a business in small groups and presenting to a panel of judges

• • living in an on-campus dormitory,
  • sharing meals in campus dining halls,
  • attending college-level classes,
  • and the option to earn transferrable college credit

Who can apply to FSI?

• • have a strong desire to challenge themselves and engage in STEM investigations
  • have a high level of self-discipline, dependability, and social maturity
  • be currently in high school grades 9-11

What does FSI cost?

• • Many participants receive help paying for FSI through available scholarships
  • Scholarships are awarded based on several factors, including:

    • need
    • academic accomplishment
    • community involvement
  • You will be notified of scholarship awards when you are notified of acceptance.

FSI alum have the chance to receive a scholarship to become a Bear and attend the University of Northern Colorado!

Applying for FSI

Applications are competitive, so apply early!

The application will ask you to describe your extracurricular activities and summer experiences, share how you contribute to your community, explain your interest in STEM and a STEM career, and outline why you want to attend FSI and how you hope to grow as a result of the experience.

Before starting the application, please gather all required information (including student and parent/guardian information, school information, and family income information) and be prepared to answer the application essay questions.

• • Describe the extracurricular activities and/or summer programs you have participated in over the past three years (for example, Science Olympiad, band, drama, robotics club, science fair, athletics, hobbies, summer camps, dual enrollment, college courses, etc.)
  • Describe how you have contributed to your community in the past three years.
  • Explain your interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and a STEM career (Your response should be approximately 350-500 words)
  • Describe why you want to attend FSI and how do you hope to grow personally from the experience of learning and living with the FSI cohort? (Your response should be approximately 350-500 words)

Applications from women, differently gendered people, people of color, indigenous people, queer (LGBT+) community members, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Apply for FSI!

Reach out to us with questions at FSI.admin@unco.edu

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