Pathway Program applications are now open. Applications will be reviewed every on a rolling basis as seats remain.
What is a Pathway Program?
Our Pathway Programs bring together talented students from across the country and around the world. These programs are typically more intensive, deeper-dives into a particular field of interest, and selection is based on a wholistic review of the students' answers to short questions, supplemental documents, and transcript.
The initial round of selections will be made beginning on February 17, 2025. All submissions received after this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis as space allows. All participants are notified by email of their application status.
For selected students, the $425 Pathway Programs fee is due no later than 10 days after selection and includes program fees, room & board. Please be sure to check your individual program for fee information as some programs are available at no cost thanks to corporate and sponsored partnerships.
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$425Pathway Programs Fee*
Pathways in Engineering
For: All students grades 9-11
Dates: June 22 - 27, 2025
The Engineering Scholars Program (ESP) provides an opportunity for students to investigate
careers in engineering and science. You will participate in engineering sessions,
group projects, and special topic presentations with a diverse group of peers from
all over the country and around the world. ESP provides a week-long look at engineering
careers in areas like Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering,
Geohazards Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Robotics Engineering, and
Aerospace Engineering. Students will:
- Explore engineering through hands-on, project based learning in two fields of their choice.
- Get inside info from role models working in engineering fields.
- Work in teams to tackle awesome group projects.
- Enjoy team competitions, develop critical interpersonal skills, and enjoy outdoor activities in Michigan's beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula.
**This application requires submission of Supplemental Documents.
For: All students grades 9-11
Dates: June 15 - 20, 2025
The Women in Engineering (WIE) provides an opportunity for students to investigate careers in engineering and science. You will participate in engineering sessions, group projects, and special topic presentations with a diverse group of peers from all over the country and around the world. WIE provides a week-long look at engineering careers in areas like Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Geohazards Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Robotics Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering. Students will:
- Explore engineering through hands-on, project based learning in two fields of their choice.
- Get inside info from role models working in engineering fields.
- Work in teams to tackle awesome group projects.
- Enjoy team competitions, develop critical interpersonal skills, and enjoy outdoor activities in Michigan's beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula.
All students may apply; the focus of the program is on advancing young women in engineering
careers.
**This application requires submission of Supplemental Documents.
For: All students grades 6-8
Dates: June 15 - 20, 2025 or June 22 - 27, 2025
This program is available at no cost thanks to sponsorship from ITC.
The Junior Women in Engineering (JWIE) pathway is sponsored by ITC Holdings Corp. and provides an opportunity for academically talented students in grades 6-8 to explore a variety of disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil, and environmental engineering.
Participants will spend time with other smart young students interested in science
and engineering! Activities vary with faculty and staff expertise, and could include:
exploring whether metal has memory, designing bridges, purifying water, or testing
gliders. Get ready to learn the inside scoop from female role models working in STEM
fields and meet people from across the country!
All students may apply; the focus of the program is on advancing young women in engineering
careers. This program is offered two separate weeks, please be sure to indicate your
preferred week to attend in your application.
**This application requires submission of Supplemental Documents.
For: All students grades 9-11
Dates: June 22 - 27, 2025
This program is available at no cost thanks to sponsorship from our partners.
Railroads, the high tech and environmentally sensitive transportation mode! Don't believe us? Come and learn why railroads remain the most energy-efficient transportation mode and what forms modern railroad track, equipment, and communications/control systems might take. Learn how rail compares with other modes and leads the charge in reducing transportation greenhouse gas emissions! Find out how it all works through engaging sessions, hands-on activities, and plenty of field visits to railroad facilities. **This application requires submission of Supplemental Documents.
For: All students grades 9-11
Dates: June 15 - 20, 2025
This program has 10 seats sponsored in full thanks to sponsorship by Atwell LLC
Geospatial Engineering is a Pathway program partially sponsored by Atwell. Geospatial engineering is a rapidly expanding, highly technical field that focuses on translating and applying spatial information (data that contains a location) to solve real-world problems. Merging aspects of computer, software, and civil engineering, geospatial engineers design, develop, and operate systems that help us use data about our world for things like surveying underground mines, monitoring marine environments to measure the impact of climate change, and remote sensing. In this NEXT Scholars program, you will learn directly from Michigan Tech professors as you explore this in-demand field both in the classroom and out in the field.
All students may apply, there is a prerequisite of completing Algebra and Geometry.
**This application requires submission of Supplemental Documents.
For: All students grades 9-11
Dates: July 13 - 18, 2025
This program is available at no cost to participants thanks to sponsorship by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Clever design isn’t the only thing that makes electronic devices so functional and appealing. The fabrication processes that produce the microelectronics embedded in your cellular phone, computer, or tablet make use of some of the most highly specialized and extraordinary technologies of this generation. Your cellular phone likely has transistor features at or below 20 nanometers in length - less than 0.0001 times the diameter of a typical human hair! During this week, you will be introduced to several categories of microfabrication processing technologies required to produce microelectronic devices and integrated circuits, learn about semiconductors, insulators, and metals, and be hands-on processing in a well controlled setting in our micro- and nanofabrication facility at Michigan Tech. You will fabricate a demonstration device that will be packaged to take home with you.
This Pathway Program is partially funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
**This application requires submission of Supplemental Documents.
For: All students grades 9-11
Dates: July 6-18, 2025
This program is available at no cost, including round trip transportation on the SYP Charter Bus thanks to sponsorship from the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Michigan Tech’s National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) is a two-week residential program allowing students to explore transportation industries. This program is offered through a grant from Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and is offered at no cost to participants. During the program you will:
- Learn about planes, trains, ships, and automobiles through hands-on activities and group projects.
- Tour Mackinac Island and get upclose and personal with the Mighty Mac—the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere-along the way.
- Travel to Sault Ste. Marie and learn firsthand about the largest waterway traffic system on Earth—the Soo Locks shipping canal between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes.
- Spend time with other smart students in a university setting.
- Enjoy recreational activities and time outdoors in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Note: Live-in participants only. This program will travel throughout the Upper Peninsula and include overnight stays
outside the Michigan Tech campus.
**This application requires submission of Supplemental Documents.
For: All students grades 9-11
Dates: June 15 - 20, 2025
This program is available at no cost, including round trip transportation on the SYP Charter Bus thanks to grant sponsorship.
Uncover how materials shape our world and transform industries! From ancient innovations
like bronze and glass to modern engineering marvels, materials science is at the core
of progress.
In this week-long program, you'll dive into the chemistry behind materials engineering.
Explore the four key material groups—ceramics, composites, metals, and polymers—and
learn how they evolve through process, structure, properties, and performance to improve
lives.
Discover how solid-state chemistry powers advancements in industries like aerospace,
automotive, and energy, while also influencing everyday items in your hobbies, homes,
and future careers.
This program requires participants to verify that they have valid U.S. Citizenship.
For: All students grades 9-11
Dates: July 20-25, 2025
This program is available at no cost, including round trip transportation on the SYP Charter Bus thanks to grant sponsorship.
Step into the fascinating world of metallurgy and metal manufacturing with Michigan
Technological University’s Materials Science and Engineering Department! This hands-on,
weeklong session supported by the IACMI Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship
& Learning (METAL) program, explores the art and science behind metal casting and
forging. Designed for high school students enthusiastic about innovation and creation,
this camp blends cutting-edge technology with the timeless art of metalworking. By
the end of the week, you'll gain valuable skills in design, engineering, and metalworking,
while walking away with a one-of-a-kind product, a unique experience, and unforgettable
memories.
This program requires participants to verify that they have valid U.S. Citizenship.
Pathways in Computing
For: All students grades 9-11
Dates: June 22 - 27, 2025
Women in Computer Science (WICS) is a week-long discovery of this fascinating field which is now an integral part of all aspects of our lives. We’ll explore various subfields of computer science including software development, artificial intelligence, data science, human-computer interaction, and security. One particular focus for this summer is making interfaces usable by people with diverse abilities. Learn about the many career opportunities in computing and the excellent job prospects in a wide range of industries.
- Spend time with other smart, dedicated students interested in computing.
- Work in teams to complete a group project. Hear from industry practitioners and researchers who specialize in creating accessible interfaces.
- Learn about the many career opportunities in computing and the excellent job prospects in a wide range of industries.
- Get first hand accounts of the diverse careers in computing from alums
- All students may apply; the focus of the program is on advancing young women in computing careers.
**This application requires submission of Supplemental Documents.
*Some Pathway programs have variable registration fees. Please see detailed information about each program under its slider above.