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
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.)
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
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.)
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.)
OSSM helped me to realize my potential and provided me with the confidence to achieve more than I could have imagined.
Capt. James Dunlap, M.D., Surgeon, OSSM Class of 1994 (Lexington H.S.)
Through the rigorous academics offered, OSSM has allowed me to feel well-prepared for college and beyond. OSSM has presented students with many opportunities that would not be available to them at their traditional home high schools. Students of OSSM become a tight-knit community, and [although] we have switched [temporarily] to virtual learning due to COVID-19, faculty has continued to work towards keeping the same academic standards for students.
Ashley M., OSSM Class of 2022 (Yukon 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.
Maggie Z., OSSM Class of 2017 (Tulsa, Jenks H.S.)
OSSM offers me an academic challenge I would have never gotten at my home high-school. This certainly allows me to push myself to my best potential so that in the future I will continue to have a good work ethic, as well as the ability to overcome any obstacles in my way!
Adriahna B., OSSM Class of 2022 (Deer Creek-Lamont P.S., Nardin)
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.)
OSSM not only allowed me to mature and develop important life skills, it gave me a community of people (friends and faculty) whose influence will stick with me for the rest of my life. Remembering all the hard physics problems, long labs and random study sessions in the mezzanine, I realize all the fun I had and I’m truly happy to be a part of something so special.
