STEM Exploration and Engagement Scholars

First year STEM EE Scholars take a one-credit Scholars Seminar course which meets weekly in Autumn semester. Taught by the Program Manager, students in this course explore interdisciplinary STEM themes, campus and community resources, participate in civil discourse and academic inquiry regarding STEM topics, and expand their knowledge on the interconnected nature of STEM fields and professions.

• During the first year of STEM EE Scholars, students will focus on establishing community connections, their Buckeye identity, exploring STEM resources, career goals, and the opportunities based on the program pillars of Community and Service, Academic Success, and Career Readiness. To successfully complete year one as a STEM Scholar, students must:
  • Complete and pass the required fall term Scholars Seminar Course
  • Obtain and maintain a 3.0 GPA by the end of the first year
  • Attend required monthly Community Meetings  
  • Engage with STEM teams and mentor program
  • Actively participate in Scholar’s activities and earn 20 participation points each semester by attending community meetings, Scholar's events, campus events, and STEM engagement

During the second year of STEM EE Scholars, students focus on their academic and career-ready skills while remaining connected to the Scholars community. Second year students spend their time immersed in an intensive project, individually developed, which relates to one or two H&S G.O.A.L.S. and their STEM major or area of interest. This Capstone Project lets Scholar be creative, innovative, and purposeful as they develop a project. This experiential project aims to let students explore STEM with a resume-worthy, skill building endeavor. The project is presented at the annual STEM EE Symposium for fellow Scholars. To successfully complete year two as STEM Scholars, students must:

• Complete the STEM Capstone Project and present at the annual STEM Scholars Symposium
• Attend required monthly Community Meetings  
• Connect with the Program Manager for a one-on-one meeting
• Obtain and maintain a 3.0 GPA by the end of the second year
• Actively participate in Scholar’s activities and earn 15 participation points each semester by attending community meetings, Scholar's events, campus events, and STEM engagement

The successful completion of the STEM EE Scholars first- and second-year requirements guarantees students:

• A Transcript Milestone which marks that students have completed a Scholars academic program at Ohio State University.
• Certificate of Completion presented at the STEM Symposium
• Ability to continue to attend Scholars only opportunities as upperclassmen
• Continued college-level priority scheduling until graduation

There are no specific requirements for third- and fourth-year STEM EE Scholars. Post-Scholars often choose to continue to stay involved with the program as a member of the student Leadership Council, peer mentor to fellow scholars, or by continuing to attend community meetings, events, and service opportunities. 

• STEM Symposium:
  • This annual event in April is a spring event that is the culmination of STEM Scholars experiences and the presentation of the Second Year Capstone Project. Second Year Scholars share a presentation that reflects upon their Scholars’ journey, their Capstone project, and the impact of their experiences on their future endeavors. All STEM Scholars are expected to attend this evening of celebration and reflection.
• Pizza with a Professional:
  • A semesterly semi-informal dialogue where students hear from an established STEM career professional to discuss their experiences, answer questions, and offer insight from an expert in their field.
• STEM Trivia:
  • Join in a beginner friendly, fun competition with other Scholars to see who has STEM knowledge. Questions range from popular culture to STEM historical events.
• Semester STEM Outing:
  • This annual, day-long field trip explores points of interest in Ohio. Past visits include COSI, Zoos, Museums, and amusement parks, as well as other locations.
• Career Connection: Skill Building Workshops
  • Attend a workshop to build transferable skills that will serve you across the wide array of STEM disciplines
• STEM Service and Volunteer Opportunities such as WestFest, the Science Olympiad, Office of Community, Access, Retention, and Empowerment (CARE) Outreach and Engagement, and other organizations.
• Community visits to sporting events, social events, lectures, panels, ice skating, guest speakers, peer support, and so much more! 

Several social activities occur throughout the year, examples may include:

• A welcome tailgate 
• STEM Speakers
• Group sporting event attendance
• Game nights
• Movie nights
• Community visits to faculty lectures
• Ice skating​

STEM EE Scholars is led by a Program Manager but is “student-driven". The STEM EE Leadership is split into multiple committees who plan activities and events throughout each semester. Scholars become eligible to volunteer after completing their first-semester seminar. Applications open every November, and positions are held for a calendar year, not just an academic year. 

Volunteering entitles Scholars to engage in advanced opportunities to gain leadership skills, activities facilitations, and LC only workshops hosted by the Program Manager.  In turn, LC Members help host events and community meetings. They serve fellow Scholars by sharing their time and talents. This is an excellent opportunity to practice and advance leadership skills and strengthen competencies for career and professional goals. Opportunities include committee chair positions, titled roles, committee members, and function as mentors to Scholars and ambassadors of the Scholars Program. 

STEM EE Scholars Cohorts are required to meet once a month with their program manager throughout the year. The First Year and Second Year Community Meetings are separate events (though any student may attend any meeting in addition to their own) with objectives designed to support the needs of each year. In general, these events are used to give announcements, highlight opportunities, participate in various community building activities, skill building and guest speakers, and to celebrate the achievements of students in the program. These events have included movies, workshops such as network and resume building, and speakers from campus resources not seen in the weekly newsletter.

The STEM EE Scholars mentor program is designed to let first- and second-year students collaborate in STEM Teams/Squads. All first year Scholars are placed in a STEM team based on interests, and each squad is led by multiple, established Scholars who volunteer as team leaders. Teams attend Connection events to explore campus and other activities in person and virtually.

Students participate in regular service throughout Columbus and campus. We have connections with STEM Education and community outreach organizations, collaborations with other Scholars programs, and individual event opportunities.