For High School Students

  1. Is JSTI an advanced opportunity for students who have already engaged in other research opportunities?
    No, JSTI is designed as an introductory research experience for students who may have an interest in research and want to explore potential opportunities further.
  2. How much does it cost to attend JSTI?
    All expenses are paid and arrangements are made by JSTI including lodging, air fare (if necessary), research supplies, admission for activities and meals. Transportation expenses for driving are reimbursed at a standard rate. While all program costs are paid by JSTI, students will have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and personal items at their own expense during the program.
  3. Does it matter where I live or go to school?
    No, students who meet the age and grade requirements and attend school or are homeschooled and in the United States or DODEA schools around the world are eligible to apply.
  4. I noticed there are two programs: JSTI East and JSTI West. Can I apply for both programs?
    Yes, you may apply for both programs if you are eligible. However, you may only attend one.
  5. Where do I stay during JSTI?
    All participants are housed in dorms on a university campus and are supervised 24/7. All participants will be assigned a roommate. A linen package is provided.
  6. What if I have a dietary restriction or food allergy?
    JSTI will accommodate your dietary restrictions and food allergies. Please make sure that you describe your needs during the onboarding process and notify staff if there are any changes after completing onboarding paperwork.
  7. Is it ok for me to leave for part of a day or a couple of days for other events or family activities?
    Participants must be able to attend the full 2-weeks. Part-time participation is not an option.
  8. Is it okay for family to visit during the program?
    Due to safety and security concerns, outside visitors, including family members, are not permitted to visit during the program. Family and friends will be invited to attend the final presentations on the last day of the program.
  9. What type of supervision is there at JSTI?
    Resident teachers supervise the students when they are not in their research class. During the research day, students are supervised by mentors and resident teachers. During the overnight hours night chaperones are in the hallways to ensure the safety of the students.
  10. Do students choose the activities in which they are interested, or do they participate in all activities? 
    Students list a preference for research topics and every effort is made to match one of a student’s top 3 with the available research areas. The students will focus on a single research topic for the duration of JSTI Students are required to participate in all activities during JSTI, including your research and all cultural/recreational activities. Some activities that JSTI has included in the past are a baseball game, escape room, museum visits, lab tours, and bowling, to name a few. Activities are specific to the location of each JSTI program such as the Sandia Tram for JSTI West and a visit to the Washington, D.C. National Mall for JSTI East.
  11. If attendees are interested in a particular subject such as forensic analysis, do they need prior knowledge on that subject? 
    No! One of the great things about our program is no previous knowledge of the subject is required. However, you should know that there is no guarantee that you will be assigned to a specific research area.
  12. What is STEM?
    STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. These broad academic disciplines are utilized in everyday life and many career fields.
  13. I’m not interested in science and I’m not good at math. Is this program for me?
    One of our goals is to inspire and educate students who are not interested in science or math to consider STEM careers. Sometimes, you have to experience a topic in a new and different way to realize you like it and are good at it.
  14. I’m going to be a musician or artist. When am I ever going to use STEM?
    STEM is at the heart of many artistic fields such as the basics of mixing colors, choosing finishes, even the design of acoustic instruments and advanced audio mixing equipment.
  15. My GPA is not the best. Do I have a chance of being selected?
    Yes, you do! GPAs are but one criterion used to evaluate applicants. Students with a GPA of 2.0 or higher are encouraged to apply.
  16. Will I be able to attend religious services?
    Reasonable efforts will be made to allow attendance at religious services.
  17. Are cell phones, laptops, cameras, and other electronic devices allowed?
    Yes. However, use of these devices may be limited due to research requirements. Please remember JSTI and the university are not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken personal items.
  18. What is JSTI doing to protect participants against COVID-19?
    Appropriate precautions will be taken to ensure the health and safety of all JSTI participants. Participants are required to adhere to the health and safety requirements of the host university.
  19. What is the schedule during JSTI?
    Please see this sample calendar (.pdf, 114.9KB) that illustrates the daily schedule for participants. Please note this is only an example of the schedule and specific activities are still being determined and subject to change.

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For Middle School Students

  1. How much does it cost to attend JSTI?
    All expenses are paid and arrangements are made by JSTI including lodging, air fare (if necessary) including unaccompanied minor service, research supplies, admission for all activities, and meals. Transportation expenses for driving are reimbursed at a standard rate. While all program costs are paid by JSTI, students will have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and personal items at their own expense during the program.
  2. Does it matter where I live or go to school?
    No, students who attend school or are homeschooled and meet the age and grade requirements in the United States are eligible to apply.
  3. I noticed there are two programs: JSTI East and JSTI West. Can I apply for both programs?
    No, JSTI West does not currently have a program for middle school students. You should apply for JSTI East.
  4. Where do I stay during JSTI?
    All participants are housed in dorms on a university campus and are supervised 24/7. All participants will be assigned a roommate. A linen package is provided.
  5. What if I have a dietary restriction or food allergy?
    JSTI will accommodate your dietary restrictions and food allergies. Please make sure that you describe your needs during the onboarding process and notify staff if there are any changes after completing onboarding paperwork.
  6. Is it ok for me to leave for part of a day or a couple of days for other events or family activities?
    Participants must be able to attend the full week. Part-time participation is not an option.
  7. Is it okay for family to visit during the program?
    Due to safety and security concerns, outside visitors, including family members, are not permitted to visit during the program. Family and friends will be invited to attend the final presentations on the last day of the program.
  8. What type of supervision is there at JSTI?
    During the day, four master teachers and four resident teachers will supervise the students. The resident teachers will stay at the university with the students and supervise all evening activities. During sleeping hours, we will have night chaperones awake in the hallway of each floor to assist students, ensure students do not leave their rooms, and to ensure that no one enters their rooms.
  9. Do students choose the activities in which they are interested, or do they participate in all activities? 
    Students are required to participate in all activities. We expect that you will be surprised and find that you enjoy something new that you thought did not interest you. Students are required to participate in all activities during JSTI, including your STEM project and all cultural/recreational activities Some activities that JSTI has included in the past are a trampoline park, escape room, lab tours, and bowling, to name a few.
  10. If attendees are interested in a particular subject such as coding, do they need prior knowledge on that subject? 
    No! One of the great things about our program is no previous knowledge of the subject is required. However, you should know that there is no guarantee that you will be assigned to a specific research area.
  11. What is STEM?
    STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. These broad academic disciplines are utilized in everyday life and many career fields.
  12. I’m not interested in science and I’m not good at math. Is this program for me?
    One of our goals is to inspire and educate students who are not interested in science or math to consider STEM careers. Sometimes, you have to experience a topic in a new and different way to realize you like it and are good at it.
  13. I’m going to be a musician or artist. When am I ever going to use STEM?
    STEM is at the heart of many artistic fields such as the basics of mixing colors, choosing finishes, even the design of acoustic instruments and advanced audio mixing equipment.
  14. My GPA is not the best. Do I have a chance of being selected?
    Yes, you do! GPAs are but one criterion used to evaluate applicants.
  15. Will I be able to attend religious services?
    Reasonable efforts will be made to allow attendance at religious services.
  16. Are cell phones, laptops, cameras, and other electronic devices allowed?
    Yes. However, use of these devices may be limited due to research requirements. Please remember JSTI and the university are not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken personal items.
  17. What is JSTI doing to protect participants against COVID-19?
    Appropriate precautions will be taken to ensure the health and safety of all JSTI participants. Participants are required to adhere to the health and safety requirements of the host university.
  18. What is the schedule during JSTI?
    Please see this sample calendar (.pdf, 114.9KB) that illustrates the daily schedule for participants. Please note this is only an example of the schedule and specific activities are still being determined and subject to change.

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For Teachers

  1. Why is JSTI unavailable for middle school teachers?
    JSTI is a research opportunity designed to allow teachers to integrate current research into their classrooms. The content covered by the researchers better aligns with state and national standards for high school than those for middle school.
  2. What is my responsibility for the students who participate in the program?
    You will not have any supervisory responsibility for the students. JSTI has staff teachers who supervise the students.
  3. What is the cost of JSTI? 
    JSTI provides transportation to and from the program, lodging, local transportation, meals, and admission/registration fees for all activities. JSTI will purchase necessary airfare or, if you drive, reimburse drivers at a standard federal rate, not to exceed $500 per round trip. Airfare is provided for overseas DODEA teachers, as well.
  4. Will I receive a stipend?
    Teachers receive a $1500 stipend for completion of all requirements.
  5. If I am local to JSTI, will I have to spend the night at the program?
    Yes, this is a residential program and residence is required.
  6. Can I go home over the weekend?
    No, there will be planned activities over the weekend.
  7. Do I need to apply with a student to participate?
    No, student and teacher teams are not required or solicited for participation. Teachers and students are selected as individuals.
  8. Where do I stay during the JSTI?
    All teacher participants are housed at a local hotel. All participants will be assigned a roommate.
  9. Is it ok for me to leave for part of a day or a couple of days for other events or family activities?
    Participants must be able to attend the full 2-weeks. Part-time participation is not an option.
  10. Will I be able to choose my research project?
    No, placement will be based upon availability of mentors. To the extent possible, we will try to place you in a project that relates to your teaching assignments.
  11. Will I be able to attend religious services? 
    Reasonable efforts will be made to allow attendance at religious services.
  12. Are cell phones, laptops, cameras, and other electronic devices allowed?
    Yes. However, use of these devices may be limited due to research requirements. Please remember JSTI and the hotel are not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken personal items.
  13. What is JSTI doing to protect participants against COVID-19?
    Appropriate precautions will be taken to ensure the health and safety of all JSTI participants. Participants are required to adhere to the health and safety requirements of the host facility.

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