Stevens Institute of Technology: Admissions Blog

The Stevens Summer: Hands-On Programs for High School Students

Stevens Institute of Technology has long been known for its legacy of preparing college students to be leaders and innovators of the future. Did you know that we also prepare pre-college students? 

The Stevens Summer is an ideal way for high school students to gain experience in a particular field, get a feel for campus life, explore New York City, visit Fortune 500 companies in the tri-state area, and interact with peers from around the world. All programs are residential – meaning students live in residence halls on the Stevens campus – are taught by members of our campus academic community and are closely supervised by professional and trained student staff.

Students are immersed in specialized, hands-on programs like the flagship Exploring Career Options in Engineering & Science (ECOES) program, now in its 34^th year.  The program centers around project-based learning exploring many different fields of science and engineering, with students working in teams to accomplish project goals. In addition, they take special trips in and around New York City, all of which are included in the cost of the program.

High school senior Keara Saud was a participant in The Stevens Summer 2011 and said, “ECOES was such a great experience for me on both a social and an academic level. I went into it expecting to gain a better understanding of engineering and left with not only that, but also amazing friends. I don't think I can choose any one thing that I liked most because it was all so great!”

This summer, Stevens is offering three sessions of ECOES to meet growing demand for this highly engaging program: June 17-20, July 8-20, and July 22-August 3.

Last year, Stevens expanded the summer program offerings to provide the same great type of hands-on experience for students interested in careers in business, multimedia production, and computer science. Those programs will be available again this summer.

The Business program is a one-week program that provides an opportunity to develop fundamental business and technical skills and explore interests in business, finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship and get a taste of the real world of business students and professionals. Program participants also get to visit the New York Stock Exchange.

“While I hoped to learn about the different elements of a business curriculum, I didn't expect the program to be as interactive as it was. This made it more valuable and enjoyable,” asserts Stephen Rienzi about the Business Summer Intensive. “I really learned a lot not only from the subjects presented, but from the group project and the feedback we were given.”

Two sessions of the Business program are being offered: July 8-15 and July 22-29.

The Multimedia Production program is a two-week program for students interested in visual and audio arts, learning about audio engineering and videography, and working together with professional equipment in the Stevens Media Arts Center, green screen room, and a nearby recording studio  to create a soundtrack and produce a video.

“Little did I know how hands-on it was going to be,” said Cara Realmuto, who was on-campus last summer for the Multimedia Production program. “It was great to start a project from the very beginning and put it all together for a finished product, with professionals helping you along the way.”

The Multimedia Production program will be held July 8-20.

The Computer Science program is an exciting and engaging one-week program that will give students insight into aspects of computer science that fuel, enable, and protect our information-driven economy. This project-based program teaches fundamental problem-solving skills while providing hands-on experience in many of the most exciting areas of computer science today, such as web technologies, cybersecurity, and system administration, among others. Students also get an insider’s view of the professional world with a visit to a Fortune 500 company.

The Computer Science program will be held July 22- July 29

More information about The Stevens Summer can be found online at www.stevens.edu/precollege. The priority deadline to apply is April 1, but applications will be accepted through May 15.

 

Fall Spotlight on Summer Undergraduate Research

A Significant Stevens Advantage

Hundreds of students gathered at last week's Student Research Colloquium to display and discuss the research they led this summer. While a long-standing tradition at Stevens, the fall student research exhibit this year was a special highlight as the Colloquium kicked off a long weekend of exciting events celebrating the inauguration of Dr. Nariman Farvardin as the seventh president of Stevens Institute of Technology.

Among the packed crowd of students, faculty, and outside audience members attending the Colloquium, was the President himself, who expressed being inspired by the open forum. 

“I am overly excited about what I see. I am amazed that some of these students have started their research in their first summer at Stevens and are only in their second year now.  For them to do so much already is very impressive. These students are so bright, and I can see the spark in their eyes.” Dr. Farvardin added, “These are the leaders of the future.”

Access to research for Stevens undergraduates is one of the great advantages of being a student at Stevens and is an educational approach that is deeply rooted in Stevens' legacy. It's no surprise the Student Research Colloquium played an important role in the presidential inauguration this year. 

The research projects presented evolved from summer research in various disciplines, including chemical engineering, technology management, ocean engineering, music and technology, and many more. Students had access to hands-on research in collaboration with faculty mentors through two elite programs for especially high-achieving undergraduate students: the Stevens Scholars and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summer Research programs. 

 

Through their research activities, Stevens and Technogenesis Scholars acquire experience in advanced research, design, and business development projects and develop skills which, among many benefits, give them a leg up in the job market and/or disctinction as prospective graduate students of competitive graduate programs around the world.   

In addition to leading the inauguration weekend, the research exhibit was also distinct this year in the scope, diversity, and multidisciplinary characteristics of the students' work. "This year was a watermark in the history of our undergraduate research programs," said Shane Topping, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Stevens. "The number of students, from across all the disciplines, as well as the broad range of projects they led are all very impressive indications of the limitless opportunities for hands-on, real-world, collaborative exploration and problem-solving here at Stevens." 

Victoria Baldwin, class of 2013, completed her project on photovoltaic efficiency through nonporous anti-reflective thin films. “As renewable energy continues to grow in significance each and every day, so does its compatible power sources, particularly in the photovoltaic field,” said Baldwin. “The question is whether photovoltaic efficiency can be significantly increased in order to make this field a more reliable and effective source of power for consumers.” Chemical engineering and materials science professor and chair Ronald Besser served as the faculty advisor for Baldwin's work.

Nicholas Catania presented his project, "Research and Development of an Interactive Learning Display for the Liberty Science Center," advised by music & technology professor David Musial.  Catania is  majoring in engineering physics and music & technology.

Robert Moakler, a double major in physics and service oriented computing, created a project based on the human psyche. His research is based on the concept that groups of users can successfully lie on the Internet using services like Twitter and Facebook. Moakler named the project “Anatomy of a Lie.” Professor Jeff Nickerson of the Howe School of Technology Management served as advisor.

Joseph Huyett and Angela LoPiccolo, both sophomore mechanical engineering majors, partnered to research vibration energy harvesting. Mechanical engineering and nanotechnology professor Frank Fisher served as advisor. The goal of their project was to autonomously tune piezoelectric beams to ambient vibrations. Magnets were utilized in order to change the stiffness and resonant frequency of the beams. During the course of the experiment, the prototype was redesigned to reduce the play in the system. A linear potentiometer was added to transmit data about the position of the beams to a microcontroller. 

“It was a great experience. There was no one babysitting us during the research, so it really taught us how to be our own boss," said Huyett. "I now know the value of time management, and, overall, I feel like we accomplished a milestone that I am truly proud of.”

 

Associate Provost of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Stevens, Christos Christodoulatos, took an opportunity to praise the research programs. “I think this is a tremendous success for our students and advisors,” he said. “Students are gaining experience through their projects, which emphasize innovation and entrepreneurship and teach our students the value and impact they have on society. They are given both the soft skills and business skills needed to compete in the real world.”

 

 

Choosing a College: What’s Important?

Hello college-bound students!  The undergraduate admissions staff at Stevens understands that the college application process is complex and demands juggling a lot of details, tasks and research.

We hope the following tips help you as you dedicate at least part of your summer to exploring your top-choice colleges.

Make sure that you don’t overlook the most important goal - choosing a college that is right for you!  Some things you might consider:

• What size college do you want to attend? Are you looking for a very large school or one with a more close-knit environment?

• What locations are you considering? Do you thrive in an urban environment, or do you prefer a quieter setting? Are there campuses that offer both? How close or far away from home do you want to be?

• What major(s) are you interested in?

• Will you need financial aid?

• Are extracurricular activities important to you, and what are they?

• What kind of campus life do you want to experience?

• What career services are offered? Are you thinking about your return on investment?

Answering these questions and ranking your needs in order of importance will allow you to investigate your top choices in a way that best matches you! Each institution is so different, and it’s easy to get lost in all the information you glean from your research.

Many online college search engines can also help you get some ideas about how to organize and better target your search. And, of course, the best way to get to know a school is to experience it up close and personally. Campus visits will certainly answer a lot of your questions, give you a “feel” for a college, and help you prioritize the aspects you’re considering. You may even discover qualities that are important to you that you hadn’t considered earlier.

We wish you the best in your search and decision-making process. If we can be of any assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at admissions@stevens.edu or 1-800-STEVENS. We’d be delighted to help you!

Summer Visit Days. Register Today!

The best way to discover Stevens Institute of Technology and all that we have to offer is to visit our Hoboken, NJ, campus this summer.  Experience life at Stevens for yourself!  

Click here to plan your summer visit. We look forward to meeting you!

SUMMER VISIT DAYS:

Thursday, July 7: Bissinger Room, 4th Floor Howe Center; Check-in: Howe Center Lobby

Monday, July 11: Bissinger Room, 4th Floor Howe Center; Check-in: Howe Center Lobby

Wednesday, July 20: Bissinger Room, 4th Floor Howe Center; Check-in: Howe Center Lobby

Monday, July 25: Bissinger Room, 4th Floor Howe Center; Check-in: Howe Center Lobby

Thursday, July 29: Bissinger Room, 4th Floor Howe Center; Check-in: Howe Center Lobby

Tuesday, August 2: Bissinger Room, 4th Floor Howe Center; Check-in: Howe Center Lobby

Tuesday, August 9: Bissinger Room, 4th Floor Howe Center; Check-in: Howe Center Lobby

The Stevens Summer: Programs for High School Students

July - August 2011

Multimedia Production,  Business, 

or Engineering & Science 

    Each summer, talented high school students from around the world diverge from traditional summer break plans to participate in The Stevens Summer.   Why? 

    Because The Stevens Summer is about challenge, discovery and exploration, in interesting fields of study but also in friendship and fun!  

        

    Add the benefit of Stevens' amazing location, and it's an unbeatable proposition for the summer break.  Living on campus in Hoboken, New Jersey, on the banks of the Hudson River overlooking Manhattan is exciting!      

    If you're a rising junior or senior in high school who is interested in engineering, science, business or multi-media production, The Stevens Summer should be on your radar.  Apply Today!

    Take it from a past participant...                                           

"Every day was a new adventure into the world of engineering. We worked together in labs with professors from the college and met with professionals in the field from large companies like Becton Dickinson and Schering-Plough. One of the most rewarding parts of the program was learning about each specific field in engineering, ranging from mechanical to chemical engineering, through real field lab experience. We also competed in numerous engineering competitions: a programming competition (my group won!), a naval engineering design competition (we sank), and a chemical-biology bubble gum competition (we won - pineapple flavor!), among many others. However, the program brought much more into my life than experience in engineering. It brought me a taste of college life." 

     

Summer Research for Stevens Scholars

This past summer, nearly 80 students conducted research at Stevens and abroad as part of the Stevens Scholars Program, and each had a chance to showcase and discuss their work on Wednesday, October 13, in the Babbio Center at a poster exhibit and reception to celebrate their accomplishments. 

Scholars Program summer research projects are diverse in topic and scope. Commonly, though, all the projects allow students to apply their engineering and scientific training to design and research, an attractive challenge to students eager for experience beyond the classroom.  Sophomores Jackson Kelly and Chris Federici were among the scholars presenting their work at the exhibit.  Their study, "Investigation of Secure Human Identification Protocols with Random Noise," was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Antonio Nicolosi and, in layman's terms, involves designing the code and interface for a more secure way of utilizing usernames and passwords - while still maintaining ease of use for consumers.  Both Chris and Jackson are pursuing degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics and said they appreciate the opportunity to conduct hands-on, cutting edge research.  "The coursework is one thing," Jackson said. "But it's this kind of research opportunitiy that allows us to explore new territories - to take part in real-world problem solving."

Incoming freshmen were invited to attend the showcase, which, for them, is a chance to be inspired by and consider participation in such student-driven research as quantum cryptography, bone regeneration, neural tissue engineering, a novel approach to overcome the drug resistance of cancer cells, understanding social networks psychology of movement in video games, indoor geolocation technology, passive solar house technology, applications of energy harvesting for micro/nano robotics, and more. 

"The Stevens Scholars Program provides our best students the opportunity to conduct research within a wide range of topics during the summer," said Dr. Edward Whittaker, professor of physics and engineering physics in the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr School of Engineering & Science and director of the Stevens Scholars Program. "Students work closely with a faculty member and present their research not only at annual poster sessions but also in leading research journals."

Stevens Scholars are typically high-acieving students with strong interest in and dedication to their areas of study.  Strong candidates are invited by faculty to apply for the program. And once admitted, student scholars must maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA at Stevens. In addition to summer research - or additional summer coursework - Stevens scholars can earn a combined B.E/M.E, B.E./M.S., or B.S./M.S. degree in just four years and accelerate their programs of study to earn B.A., B.E. or B.S. degrees in three years. Over a dozen students from the Class of 2010 graduated with dual degrees earned through participation in the Scholars Program, Dr. Whittaker said.

Stevens Students Power Their Futures at Career Day

Over 600 graduating seniors and graduate students at Stevens took advantage of the Class of 2011 Career Day last week, reporting to the Schaefer Athletic and Recreation Center to meet the nearly 100 employers who attended.  Marked by the students’ confidence and knowledge, their own resolution to succeed and their already impressive résumés, the Career Day also exemplified the comprehensive guidance students are given by the Office of Career Development at Stevens. 

Opportunity was knocking on both sides of the door at the event – for students, the chance to connect and discuss post-graduate employment; for the representatives of top companies wanting knowledgeable, highly-skilled, goal-oriented graduates, the occasion to recruit top candidates to meet their greatest business challenges. The conditions were right, as they overwhelmingly are at Stevens. And the result is success. For example, of last year's graduating class, 80 percent accepted offers of employment or enrollment in graduate or professional school programs - and 38% chose from more than one job offer.

For Roque Rios, senior computer engineering major, the Career Day was an opportunity to further enhance the connections he'd made during his IT internship at Colgate. "The face-to-face really helps," he said. "I'm doing what you need to do to make sure your resume gets on the 'good' pile for the jobs you're interested in." His advice to incoming students is to connect with the Office of Career Development early on, well before the various career fairs, and to attend the ongoing career placement workshops and other sessions offered to students. "Because of all the support here, there's really no reason to be lost about job placement at graduation," he said.

L’Oréal Human Resources Manager Terri Dedinski was one of several representatives from the company eager to speak to the Career Day participants. She noted that of the five Stevens students who were chosen for their Operations Internship Program last summer, three were offered permenant positions at the company after graduation. "The partnership with Stevens for internship and career placement has been very successful," she said. "There is a tremendous opportunity for growth for students. Whether during their internships or new employment with the company, their contributions are significant and become part of our ongoing product or process development. And they distinguish themselves on a leadership track that propels them to upper management."

The Career Day also included a luncheon at which employers were recognized for their ongoing support of Stevens students. The Employer of the Year Award was presented to The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and accepted by Toshiya Morita, CIO, Systems Office for the Americas, Yawer Fadoo (M.S.`07), Vice President and Manager, Systems Office for the Americas, and Ann Stenson, V.P. of Human Resources. 

Reckitt Benckiser, a consumer products company that hired four Stevens students into research-based summer internships, received the Internship Employer of the Year Award. The students engaged in a variety of projects, from developing new products for the European market to testing antibacterial agents for bar soap. Accepting the award was Will Lenzetti, Global R&D Category Manager.

The Externship Award was given to THE Partnership: NJ Transit and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, for providing an outstanding learning experience to Stevens engineering students by coordinating site visits to one of the most exciting construction projects in the area.

The MIT Lincoln Laboratory Scholarship Awards were presented to Phillippe Pierre-Paul and Richard Sanchez.  Phillippe is a junior electrical engineering major pursuing a dual master’s degree in technology management and a minor in pre-law policy.  Richard is a computer engineering major and cooperative education student. The MIT Lincoln Laboratory scholarship was created three years ago and is awarded to two students each year. The director of the Laboratory, in recognition of the nation's critical need to develop more engineers provided scholarship funding to Stevens for these awards.  The recipients are selected on the basis of merit by Dean Deborah Berkley, who directs the Stevens Technical Enrichment Program (STEP).  "It's important to note that these students are not only outstanding students academically, but they are also leaders on campus, and very involved in helping their peers," she said.  

Lynn Insley, Director of the Office of Career Development, expressed how fortunate Stevens is to have longstanding employer relationships that facilitate students' professional development and lead to impressive career outcomes.  "Our students build their success early through internships, cooperative education assignments and research opportunities," she said.  "By the time Stevens students enter their senior year, they are well prepared to engage with recruiting professionals and secure employment opportunities that lead to rewarding careers."

 

ECOES 2010

High School Sophomores & Juniors, it’s time to start thinking about ECOES 2010. The Exploring Career Options in Engineering and Science (ECOES) program allows high school students to spend two weeks on the Stevens campus, participating in exploratory activities introducing them to engineering, science and technology. Divided into two sessions, Stevens will host rising high school juniors and seniors next summer between July 11 and August 6.
 
An already robust program which has featured research project topics including robotics, chemical biology, planar truss construction and database driven web programming, ECOES 2010 promises even more options. Maia Hadidi, Summer Programs Coordinator and Director of the ECOES program, says: “This year, we are looking to expand our offerings to further enrich the student experience. For example, last year’s music and technology module was so successful, we plan to include more arts modules in the future.” Additionally, the program will feature more guest speakers and site visits to prominent organizations, giving the students access to first-hand professional experience.

In past years, the ECOES sessions have been extremely successful, with many participants parlaying their experience into a college career at Stevens. Maia continues: “I am looking forward to another great year of the program, and another exceptional group of students. It is great to watch students come in year after year and develop not only skills in engineering and science, but also life-long friendships.”

To learn more about ECOES or to apply for Summer 2010, visit: http://www.stevens.edu/sit/admissions/highschool/ecoes.cfm

ECOES 2009

Ever wanted to perform a basic site survey for a proposed building? What about use a wireless electrocardiogram to investigate how your heart works when at rest and after exercise? Or perhaps you’d like to explore how nanoscale phenomena can be exploited to create new products and technologies?

Beginning next week, the Exploring Career Options in Engineering and Science (ECOES) program will allow high school students to spend two weeks on campus doing all of the above and more. Divided into two sessions, Stevens will host almost 120 rising high school juniors and seniors between July 12 and August 7. Students will live on campus and participate in exploratory activities introducing them to engineering, science and technology.

In past years, the ECOES sessions have been extremely successful, with many participants parlaying their experience into a college career at Stevens. This year’s groups include students from many states across the US, including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, California, Florida and Minnesota, in addition to multiple countries including Greece.

This year, the addition of unique, innovative research projects will help students further hone their skills as they participate in hands-on research, learning and development. Maia Hadidi, Summer Programs Coordinator and Director of the ECOES program, says: “We have introduced a music and technology module this year, which I am very excited about. Our research project options have increased and cover a variety of tracks, allowing students to delve deeper into whichever area their interest lies.” Other research project topics include robotics, chemical biology, planar truss construction and database driven web programming.

Of past programs, Maia continues: “It is so amazing to watch these students come in and develop not only skills in engineering and science, but also camaraderie among their peers. There are ECOES reunions and groups on Facebook… each year the ECOES participants form connections for life, all while having fun and learning about all that Stevens has to offer.”

ECOES 2008

Technogenesis Summer Projects Unveiled

The Technogenesis Program was in full swing at Stevens again this past summer, when 28 undergraduates participated in research projects.  Students from all the engineering and science disciplines were represented and explored the boundary between their classroom learning experiences and the realities of the global marketplace.

Katherine Reighard (B.E. ’09) worked with SPOC Inc., a company that began from a Biomedical Engineering senior design project.  Katherine focused on the continuing effort to bring the technology of SPOC to the marketplace and the special challenges in the medical field when new technologies are created.

“I learned a great deal about the FDA and the rules and regulations that govern the medical industry.  I was grateful to be able to help SPOC with documents and testing to further complete their Premarket Notification (510(k)) in effort to receive FDA clearance,” explained Katherine.

Other Technogenesis students focused their work on the development of new technology. Mike Mitchell (B.E. ’09) worked on biofilm adhesion, which has serious implications for transplant patients.  Bacterial biofilms, which coat the surface of hip transplants, are infection risks that affect 5-10% of all transplant patients. His focus was on performing calculations to determine what sheer stress was needed to remove a biofilm from a transplant surface.

Patrick Robinson (B.E. ’09), a chemical engineering student, investigated the development of hydrogen fuel cells by using bacteria to generate hydrogen gas. According to Patrick, the inspiration for this project came from modeling the mitochondria of heart cells.  He said, “I realized that at one point in the process of cells breaking down sugars with oxygen, the energy of the sugar is transformed into [electricity]… Ever since then, I have been interested in the idea of harvesting energy from bacteria.”

                                                                                                            - Regina Pynn, ‘11