ORONO – The Maine Summer Transportation Institute at UMaine is offering educational opportunities for middle school students to learn about engineering and transportation-related careers.

Students are exposed to university life, leadership and team-building activities, and a series of lectures, workshops, hands-on laboratories, and field trips; explore all aspects of engineering and its role in our society; and learn about all modes of transportation, such as highway design, sailing, flying airplanes, railways, alternate fuels, construction materials, transportation of people and cargo, laws, regulations and safety.

There also will be computer training, academic enhancement activities, swimming, basketball, rock climbing, and other recreation in the UMaine Recreation Center plus meals in the UMaine cafeteria .

Twenty sixth,seventh, and eighth graders will receive full scholarships worth approximately $1,600 to participate in the two-week summer program. Scholarships include: fees (including lab, field trips, and recreational)l travel (to and from Orono campus and field trips) ; lunch and snacks; workshops and handouts; equipment and supplies; and a t-shirt and prizes.

To be eligible students must currently in the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade, have an interest in engineering, science, and technology, provide an essay on why he/she wants to participate in MSTI, and have at least one letter of recommendation.

For more information and an online application please go towww.umaine.edu/msti.

Application forms must be received by May 31.