About HOIST
Each spring, approximately 15-20 Native American high school students from the Northwest, primarily Idaho, are selected to participate in research in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the HOIST Summer Program.
The program includes project-based math, English and science classes, as well as activities and presentations put on by researchers, instructors, professionals and other experts. Students also go on field trips that are relevant to these fields of study and participate in internships with University of Idaho research groups and Moscow businesses.
Why apply to HOIST?
- Engage in hands-on workshops, projects and labs with university researchers and instructors.
- Take classes with college instructors and become better prepared for the rigor of college courses.
- Experience the McCall Outdoor Science School and go on other trips.
- Attend guest speaker events, workshops and cultural events.
- Receive a stipend and college scholarship opportunities.
- Have fun and meet other HOIST students.
Program Details
Applicants must be Native American high school students who have completed ninth grade, be interested in pursing post-secondary education and careers in STEM fields and have a strong interest in attending U of I.
Applicants are chosen based on the following criteria.
- 2.8 GPA (Extenuating circumstances that prevent students from meeting this requirement are taken into consideration.)
- Demonstrated interest and ability in the STEM fields
- Three letters of recommendation
- A letter of interest and intent pertaining to their involvement in HOIST
- Demonstrated leadership
A typical morning begins with hour-long math, science, and English classes. These classes are taught by qualified instructors and help prepare students for college-level courses. After lunch, students spend the afternoon at their internship sites. In their internships, students work with university researchers on current projects.
During evenings and weekends, students visit local recreational and educational attractions, volunteer with local nonprofit organizations and attend workshops, guest speaker presentations and cultural events.When no activities are planned, students have time to hang out and relax. The dormitory where they stay has board games, a lounge with a big-screen TV (great for movie nights), a kitchen, and a computer lab. There are also basketball and volleyball courts and a huge grassy field right outside.
Several trips are included in the summer program. 2016 details coming soon.
The majority of the summer program is spent at the University of Idaho Moscow campus. While in Moscow, students stay in a university dormitory and dine at campus cafeterias. The dormitory is co-ed, though the floors are single-gender and students stay in two-person rooms with one other HOIST student as a roommate.
During the camping and rafting trips, students stay in tents, and at MOSS they stay in cabins on the shore of Payette Lake.
Students are awarded a stipend of up to $1,200 upon program completion. Stipend amount depends on academic and research performance, participation and appropriate behavior.
Throughout the program, students are accompanied by HOIST mentors. Mentors stay with students in the dormitory and chaperon all outings and trips. Most HOIST mentors are University of Idaho students and all are First Aid/CPR-certified.