Mission

Rowan University's STEAM Academy is dedicated to educating and empowering high-achieving students through a dynamic summer program. Our mission is to create diverse pathways to higher education, accommodating students with varied abilities, interests, and backgrounds. We are committed to delivering purposeful and engaging educational experiences while valuing and embracing the diversity of all participants

STEM + Art = STEAM

Open to students in grades 7 through 12, Rowan's STEAM Academy features instruction by top University faculty in Science, technology, engineering, & math (STEM) plus the arts to help students explore and identify areas of interest for success in college and careers.

Divided by grade and ability level, the program admits students to one of three groups: Voyagers (grades 7-9), Navigators (rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors) and Pathfinders (a demanding, research-focused track for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.)

Voyagers: For students entering 7th through 9th grades. Voyagers features STEAM lessons in a hands-on holistic day program. Each day includes breakfast, two morning academic sessions, lunch, and a scholar-leader session for personal development. Voyagers is a gateway into STEAM subjects created to inspire curiosity and academic independence. 

Navigators: Our oldest and most popular track, Navigators is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors and is the closest high school students can get to an early college experience.

Each day, students take part in an official, accredited Rowan University course and have time each afternoon for personal and academic development including workshops and guidance on career counseling, standardized test preparation, conflict resolution, and leadership training. 

Weekends are option. Those who stay have opportunities for field trips too such destinations as Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University, Ritz Theater Company, local restaurants, and community events

Pathfinders: Our most academically challenging option, Pathfinders provides high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors a unique opportunity to pursue research in fields they are interested in with individualized support from a Rowan faculty member. Pathfinders students take part in an official, accredited Rowan University course in the mornings with structured afternoons that include opportunities for scholar- leader development. Pathfinders students stay on campus, dine in Rowan cafeterias and, most importantly, prepare for college- level academic success. Like Voyagers and Navigators, students in the Pathfinders program follow a two-week schedule but will be required to stay on campus for the weekend as well. 

Dates:

Voyagers Program (grades 7 though 9): July 7-uly 17, 2025

Navigators and Pathfinders Program (grades 10 through 12): July 6 (move in day)-July 18, 2025

Voyagers:

$2,100 (includes tuition, two daily meals and instruction/materials)

The Voyagers program runs Monday through Thursday from 8am to 3pm.

Navigators:

• Navigators Morning Session : Attend Monday-Friday from 8am-12pm for the three credit course. Breakfast, tuition, and textbooks are included. $2,500
• Navigators Daily Session: Attend Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm for accredited course, leadership and academic workshops. Breakfast and lunch are included. $2,800
• Navigators Weekly Session Attend Monday-Friday and stay overnight, going home on weekends. Accredited course, tuition, textbooks, room and board are included. $3,600
• Navigators Weekends included Attend for two weeks, weekends included featuring exclusive academic field trips. $3,900

Pathfinders:

Residential and weekend option only. $4,200

 **Fully accredited college course included in all Navigation and Pathways sessions 

College Courses Offered to Navigators and Pathfinders

• Essentials of Psychology- Students will be introduced to psychology, the scientific study of behavior. This course will highlight the key areas in psychology that help to explain human behavior. This course will include discussion of diverse topics such as, perception, learning, thinking, memory, motivation, emotion, stress, and health, personality, physiological processes, psychological disorders and treatment, development, intelligence, and social psychology.
• Leading Among Diverse Perspectives (Education)-This course focuses on understanding that leadership requires recognizing and valuing the differences that exist among people as employees, colleagues, and team members. These differences result people bringing various perspectives and approaches to professional environments. The course provides an understanding of the historical and current experiences of groups in society and the contributions of those groups in organizations. Additionally, the course focuses on inclusive and collaborative leadership approaches.
• Java Development-This course emphasizes algorithmic solutions of problems. The syntax of the programming language is also studied, as well as the writing of structured code.
• Engineers of the Future-An introduction to the practice of engineering through authentic, multidisciplinary problems and projects. Sustainability is used to demonstrate the broader context of engineering work.

Check back for a new and updated application process in February 2025!

Voyagers

8am-8:45am: Drop off & Breakfast in Dining Hall

9am-10:30am: Workshop A 

10:30am-12:00pm: Workshop B

12:00pm-1:00pm- Lunch in Dining Hall

1:00-3:00pm- depending on the day Workshop C, Leadership Development, or Special Activity

Navigators & Pathfinders

8am-8:45am: Drop off & Breakfast in Dining Hall

9am-12pm: College Course

12pm-1pm: Lunch in Dining Hall

1pm-3:30pm: Navigators-Workshop/ Pathfinders: Reserach Internshhip

3:30pm-5pm: Leadership workshop (MW), Wellness Group (TTh)

5pm-6pm: Dinner in Dining Hall

6pm-10pm: Homework, Laundry, or Strucutured Activites at the Discretion of Dorm Counselors