Designed for students who have completed at least their junior year of high school, the Idaho Junior Engineering, Math and Science (JEMS) Summer Program provides an introduction to engineering through study of real-world problems within their technical and social contexts.

Participants will experience life as a college student for two weeks through coursework, teamwork, and living in campus housing with current engineering student mentors. It's not all serious business, however. Students also have barbeques, pizza parties, field trips, and access to several University of Idaho recreational facilities.

The Idaho JEMS curriculum includes classes in engineering design, computer-aided design, problem-solving and introductory engineering taught by College of Engineering professors. Each year classes specific to a design project, such as environmental engineering, computer programming, robotics, or computer graphics, are also offered.

It may sound like work, but it's worth it. At the end of the program, participants earn two college engineering credits, have a better grasp of basic engineering principles, a sharper focus on what to do in their college career, and a real connection with new friends.