Sponsored annually by the Robert and MeiLi Hefner Foundation
We regret to announce the 2020 Hefner Initiative journey to China has been canceled due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Hefner Initiatives aim to help build a close and positive relationship between China and the USA. This approximately 12-day summer program sponsors Junior high school students in America to travel abroad to China. The Robert & MeiLi Hefner Foundation believes that this opportunity will not only enhance the China/US relationship in the future but also expand the knowledge and exposure of these young students to a rising and important sector of the world.
OSSM’s application window for Juniors to apply for the 2020 Hefner Initiative program opens December 2, 2019.
Applications will be due no later than 5:00 pm on Monday, January 13, 2020.
Sponsored for the 2019/2020 School Year by the Kirkpatrick Foundation
Directed by Professor Kelly Chaves
A visual and performing arts program designed to instill and promote an appreciation of the arts in OSSM students, including classes in specialized areas of art, music, theatre, photography and dance. (See more)
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Summer Science (Teachers) Institute
Sponsored by ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66
Directed by Dr. Mark Li
We regret to announce the 2020 Conoco Phillips & Phillips 66 Summer Science Institute has been canceled due to the COVID-19 situation.
The ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 Summer Science Institute at OSSM is a high quality week-long residential professional development program for middle school science teachers from all over Oklahoma. (see more)
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Summer Math (Teachers) Institute
Sponsored by Sarkeys Foundation
Directed by Professor Sara Marie Bodenstein
We regret to announce the 2020 Sarkeys Summer Math Institute has been canceled due to the COVID-19 situation.
The Sarkeys Summer Math Institute at OSSM is a high quality week-long residential professional development program for middle school math teachers from all over Oklahoma. (see more)
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Summer Middle School Math & Science Workshops
Sponsored by The Williams Companies
We regret to announce the 2020 Williams Middle School Summer Math & Science Workshops have been postponed until further notice due to the COVID-19 situation.
Free OSSM Summer One-Day Math Workshops offer middle school students an excellent foundation to master state standards, strengthening skills in general math, pre-algebra, Algebra I, geometry, and Algebra II, as well as contest math. OSSM Science Days introduce students to a wide range of STEM careers through presentations from visiting experts. (See more & Register Here)
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Investigative Research Scholars Program (IRSP)
Directed by Dr. Brent Richards
We regret to announce the 2020 summer Investigative Research Scholars Program (IRSP) has been postponed until further notice due to the COVID-19 situation.
An intensive, three-week summer program designed for OSSM rising seniors who are selected by OSSM faculty to conduct ongoing research with scientists, engineers, doctors and professors. (See more about this endowed program)
Testimonials
My experience at OSSM has opened me up to not only amazing opportunities, but amazing friendships. I also was able to appreciate my culture and heritage while getting to know other cultures throughout the school!
Adilenne M., OSSM Class of 2018 (OKC, Westmoore H.S.)
I have learned the importance of managing a profound amount of work with spending time to relax. Learning to balance the two ideas can change how you approach all work in life for the better, making you a more effective worker.
Michael A., OSSM Class of 2017 (Tulsa, Jenks H.S.)
The past two years, I’ve had the privilege to help a team of doctors with Alzheimer’s research. I’ve learned a great deal from this experience, but most importantly, I’ve discovered that my curiosity for the way the brain functions is endless. I find that each piece of new information I learn leads to more questions that I want answers to. I am excited to learn more as I pursue a degree in neuroscience and prepare for medical school
Emily J., OSSM Class of 2018 (Sallisaw, Muldrow H.S.)
OSSM prepared me for a petroleum engineering undergraduate program which helped me start my first semester of college as a sophomore and have a higher GPA after that first semester. (See more of Tyler’s story HERE!)
Tyler Carter, OSSM Class of 2012 (Sand Springs, Charles Page H.S.), Petroleum Engineer
OSSM has opened up so many new doors to me and has given me the chance to meet new people and explore the person I want to be. This place is unlike any other and it is overall amazing to be here.
Jax T., OSSM Class of 2019 (Ramona, Caney Valley H.S.)
Coming from rural Oklahoma, my ambition to be an aerospace engineer didn’t draw out many peers or mentors from my community. Besides the academic growth that came from attending, OSSM impacted me by helping me grow extensive peer and professional networks, which have since led to several exclusive opportunities. Since graduating in Spring 2018, I have completed two summer internships with The Boeing Co. and written a proposal accepted by NASA.
Braxton B., OSSM Class of 2018 (Woodward H.S.)
OSSM has really given me the challenge I have always looked for… [and] significantly increased my confidence when it comes to taking and handling challenging academic courses. Even during a worldwide pandemic, the faculty have been supportive, understanding, and caring! The resources and opportunities we get at this school are something I would never have gotten at my home high school!
Khushi D., OSSM Class of 2022 (Yukon H.S.)
I learned that I have a passion for physics that I did not know I had. At my home school, I would have never taken any physics class. But, because of the exceptional physics program at OSSM, I found a major portion of what my passions are.
Nick R., OSSM Class of 2017 (Tuttle, Bridge Creek H.S.)
OSSM is a place where I can surround myself with hardworking people who can help me become the best version of myself possible. This school is the first step in becoming everything I want to be while I create lifelong relationships with the students and faculty.
Genevieve D., OSSM Class of 2022 (Sulphur H.S.)
There is a sense of security to be gained from similarity. At OSSM, however, I have found my best friends are the most different from me, and I relish in our unique approaches to problem solving. We all share in the ambition to better ourselves and the community we share.
