Young students excited during a robotics competition

The K-12 STEM Enrichment Avenue

Learn what it takes to become a scientist or engineer by participating in one of Clarkson University’s K-12 opportunities. Through project-based learning and after-school mentoring programs, participants gain hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and math through a variety of exciting and engaging activities.

“The programs provide opportunities for faculty and staff to share their scholarly interests and research with teachers and students in our K-12 system through collaboration with local schools,” says Peter Turner, Director of the Institute for STEM Education.

Program participants design, build and test ideas in an interactive learning environment filled with like-minded peers, college student mentors and Clarkson faculty. Here, everyone has the ability to become inspired and excited about pursuing activities within a STEM field.

17% Growth in demand for STEM Jobs
Infographic: 1.4 Million estimated computer specialist job openings in 2020

K-12 programs at Clarkson

Horizons

The Horizons program's mission is to drive genuine and inclusive culture change for middle and high school students from all backgrounds. Our aim is to provide tools to help our participants excel in STEAM and attend college well prepared to pursue employment, advanced degrees and eventually assume leadership roles in STEAM. Want to learn more? Click here.

IMPETUS

Through IMPETUS (Integrated Math and Physics for Entry to Undergraduate STEM), students from economically-challenged districts partner with Clarkson students to learn about math and science through roller coaster physics and design during after school programs, tutoring and mentoring throughout the academic year. Participants can even attend a one-day roller coaster summer camp to put their newfound skills to the test. Sound fun? Click here for more details.

Adirondack Regional Science Olympiad

For more than 20 years, Clarkson University has hosted the Adirondack Regional Science Olympiad, which brings about 150 high school students to campus to compete in a series of math, science and engineering/building event competitions that include robotic arm, mission impossible, game on, protein modeling, electric vehicle and others for a chance to win a medal and go onto the state competition. Events bring Clarkson faculty and students together in a scientific setting that mimics the real world testing of scientists and engineers. For more information, please contact Michael Ramsdell.

Young Scholars

The Young Scholars Program is a week-long summer intensive held on-campus through the Clarkson’s early college program, The Clarkson School. Students are charged with solving a problem from three different perspectives while learning how to research, collaborate and communicate. Learn more by clicking here.

Project-Based Curricula

Clarkson’s K-12 Partnership Program embraces a project-based learning approach and tailors this learning to the age, interest and grade level of local students. We offer several curricula that were inspired by the expertise of Clarkson’s research faculty that vary according to theme and targeted grade level.

  • Energy Systems  - Address the energy crisis through science and technology applications (8th science/technology)  
  • Sustainable Transportation Fuels – Explore technical, social and environmental aspects of our future transportation fuels (high school Environmental Science, Chemistry)
  • Inspire! Educational Video Collection - Videos and accompanying discussion guides that develop resilience and understanding of obstacles faced by middle school and early high school girls.

Project-Based Climate Modules

Project-based climate models were developed by Clarkson faculty and staff in conjunction with K-12 classroom teachers.

These model lessons or modules incorporate guided exploration of climate change effects. Students are given directed questions to begin building their background understandings and skills with databases and NASA/NOAA resources. Some modules progress to inquiry-based instruction that allows students to formulate their own questions about climate change and explore various resources to address these questions.

Model lessons were developed for the following content areas: middle school physical environment (grades 6 and 8), Earth Science and Environmental; Science. Although targeted for a specific grade level or content area, most lessons can be adapted for other courses or levels.

Teaching Modules can be found here

Recent News

Heuvelton Student Takes First Place at Statewide Research Conference with Clarkson IMPETUS
Student Spaceflight Experiments Program Mission 17 Update at Clarkson
Two FIRST Robotics Competitions Heat Up February at Clarkson