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
OSSM is an experience that breaks me down, but builds me up. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and exposed my weaknesses. But it gave me the environment to motivate myself in any given challenge and grow stronger along with the rest of our community.
Bella N., OSSM Class of 2018 (Lone Grove, Plainview H.S.)
At home I could not have received the level of academic support or the caliber of college counseling I receive at OSSM. Living at OSSM taught me I can volunteer more, learn more, work more, and achieve more than I ever thought possible. A million thanks to all who make it possible for students like me to take advantage of the biggest opportunity Oklahoma has to offer.
Jake B., OSSM Class of 2017 (Enid, Chisholm H.S.)
It’s important to remind yourself that no matter how many disappointments you face or how many times you fail, you just have to pick yourself up and keep working towards your goals. If you do, eventually your successes will outweigh your failures and you will accomplish the goals you set for yourself. It took me two semesters at OSSM to learn this, but I know I will never forget it.
Ope O., OSSM Class of 2017 (Oklahoma City, Putnam City North H.S.)
Through OSSM I have gained a better understanding of other cultures, a confidence in what I do even if I fail, and I now know more about what talents I have and how I can use them to achieve my dreams. OSSM really has helped me mature and see what I can give back to others.
Seaira H., OSSM Class of 2017 (Hugo 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.)
My hope for OSSM is that they continue to draw the rich talent Oklahoma supplies and turn those students into the leaders of academia and the global economy for the next generation.
Geoffrey Simpson, OSSM Class of 1993 (Edmond Central Mid-High), Software Developer, Tulsa
My first year at OSSM improved my time management skills greatly. It also improved my work ethic and has advanced my academic career much more than a regular high school would.
Katie L., OSSM Class of 2017 (Harrah, Choctaw H.S.)
OSSM has not only facilitated my aspirations in an academic setting, but it has allowed me to explore the realm of opportunities outside a student’s traditional comfort zone.
Ritvik G., OSSM Class of 2017 (Tulsa, Union H.S.)
OSSM gave me a competitive environment to learn at a highly accelerated pace, which is what I and most of my colleagues have been wishing for since the discovery of our talents in elementary school.
Jake C., OSSM Class of 2017 (Edmond, Deer Creek 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.)
