DURHAM, N.H. – Registration for Tech Camp at the University of New Hampshire, a set of day and residential summer programs for students entering grades six through 12 designed to increase STEM literacy, opens Feb. 15, 2018, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.

Thanks to a $25,000 grant from BAE Systems, which has its Electronic Systems sector headquartered in Nashua, the BAE Systems Summer STEM Scholars initiative will provide financial support for 10 students to attend Tech Leaders, a two-week section of Tech Camp for students considering careers in STEM fields. Eligible students need to be entering their junior or senior year of high school in the fall. Preference will be given to students from Nashua and Manchester.

“Growing the STEM workforce is critical to New Hampshire and the country,” said Wayne Jones, dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at UNH. “We appreciate our partnership with BAE Systems in our mission to introduce students to the excitement of discovery and research along with opportunities to potentially grow their career right here in the state with BAE Systems.”

The Tech Leaders session, which runs July 16-27, 2018, features both a camper-selected engineering project and leadership and entrepreneurship activities for students considering careers in STEM. The campers participate in workshops on entrepreneurship, research skills, resume writing, interviewing skills, public speaking, and college admissions essay writing. In addition, engineering professionals from industry, including BAE Systems, will discuss engineering careers.

“As one of New Hampshire’s largest employers, BAE Systems is firmly committed to helping bolster the state’s future workforce,” said Lu Goncalves-Getty, director of Community Investment at BAE Systems. “Joining forces with the University of New Hampshire to provide scholarships for students interested in careers in STEM is an important step towards building a pipeline of talent for BAE Systems and other high tech companies in the state.”

“The BAE Systems Summer STEM Scholars initiative is invaluable,” said Carmela Amato-Wierda, associate professor of materials science and director of UNH’s Tech Camp. “It helps the students foremost by bringing relationships and relevance from BAE Systems to our program. The students see a purpose and a future in STEM when working alongside engineers in industry. The engineers will work hands-on with students and be able to engage in a community, including K-12 teachers, administrators, parents and higher education, where conversations about STEM abound.”

UNH is committed to strengthening the STEM pipeline. Founded in 2006, UNH Tech Camp provides children in grades 6­-12 the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering and math using the significant resources of a public research university.

Both day and residential programs are available. For more information, visit:  https://ceps.unh.edu/techcamp. To inquire about the scholarship assistance for Tech Leaders contact Amato-Wierda at ccaw@unh.edu.

BAE Systems provides some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defense, aerospace, and security solutions. The company employs a skilled workforce of 83,100 people in more than 30 countries. Working with customers and local partners, BAE Systems develops, engineers, manufactures, and supports products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and people, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.