What is UVU PREP?

 

UVU PREP is a free STEM Summer program for middle and junior high students, which provides three summers of rigorous academic instruction, educational hands-on projects, challenging homework assignments, career awareness speakers and field trips. 

The program allows incoming 7th, 8th, and 9th (graduating 6th, 7th, and 8th) grade students who have an interest and aptitude in Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics fields to receive accelerated curriculum in preparation for high school and higher education. UVU PREP strives to provide opportunities for underrepresented and first generation students to pursue STEM studies and careers.

Ten years of impact

UVU PREP began in June 2013 with a cohort of 25 students. Since then, the program has served 1,001 students from the Alpine, Nebo, and Provo school districts. As of 2022, at least 77% of students from the 2013-2019 cohorts have enrolled in college courses—and 90% of those students attended UVU as their first institution of higher education. Over 80 past UVU PREP students are declared STEM majors.

"I learned in this class that if you keep pushing you can get it. I was struggling but then it was an eye opener. It’s fun to struggle! Logic has taught me so much. I AM SO SMART!”

“I had a lot of fun with my engineering projects and my technology projects. I was very interested in all of the different careers that I have never heard about before, even the ones that I did know about and just never thought about them very deeply.”

“Even though it’s hard, class can be so much fun. I look forward to logic every day. Now I feel like challenges are much more fun than they were before I came to this class. And it gave me confidence in myself.”

 Important dates

Students looking at a pamphlet

Registration Deadline

Date: January 31, 2024

PREP Start and End Dates

Date: June 3-July 11, 2024

Parents and a student looking at a computer.

Mandatory Parent Orientation

Dates:

1st Year Students: May (TBD), 2024

Returning Students: May (TBD), 2024

Time: 6:00 pm for Parents and Students.

Girl smiling

Vacation Time

No classes on the following days:

Date: June 17, July 4 & 5, 2024

Students at the space station

Field Trips

UVU PREP students participate in various STEM related field trips, i.e., museums, industry, etc.

Date: June 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2024

Students high fiving their teachers at the closing ceremonies

Closing Celebration

UVU PREP students participate in a closing celebration, Year 3 students are recognized as completing all 3 years of UVU PREP.

Date: July 11, 2024

Time: 6:00 pm for PREP students; 6:30-8:00 pm for parents and families.

 

Learning is fun.

Students disecting a cow brain

Students observing a science experiment

Students participating in a tower building exercise

UVU Prefreshman Engineering Program

Attendance Policy: UVU PREP students are allowed three absences before probable dismissal from the program. Please keep this in mind as you plan your summer vacations and other activities.

 

learn more about UVU PREP

Requirements to Apply:

  • Current report card
  • Math Teacher recommendation
  • Have a 90% or better in mathematics classes
  • 100-150 word essay about why you want to attend UVU PREP
  • 6th grade student enrolled in public school in the Alpine, Nebo or Provo School District

STEM Resources

Students on a UVU PREP field trip to US Synthetics

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Supporters


Alpine School District

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Nebo School District

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Provo School District

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Girls & Boys Club

Girls and Boys Club

STEM Center

STEM Center

Dominion Engergy

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