Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, ETIS, Geosciences, Math, Physics and Astronomy

Teachers and students from any high school that falls under the jurisdiction of the Rutherford County School System may apply. Joint projects of this nature require approval at several levels within the University and the governing body of the high school(s) involved. Schools outside the RCS system interested in participating in this program may contact STEP^MT to discuss this process.

The exact details of timing are up to the discretion of the faculty research team leader in consultation with the STEP^MT team as dictated by the nature of the project. The expectation is that the high school participants will be on campus full time for 200 hours (approximately 5 weeks) during June and July. The MTSU faculty member and undergraduates will typically be involved for 300 hours (6-7 weeks) including preparation, planning, and initial setup of the project. Additional information about summer dates may be available on the STEP^MT Calendar for June and July.

The MT Faculty member will receive "Summer Pay" in the amount of $5000 through the regular MT payroll system and must comply with MT summer pay guidelines and NSF funding rules. For more detailed information on this, please visit the faculty proposal page.

Other team members will be awarded a research stipend from STEP^MT. The purpose of this award is to promote education and training in science, technology, engineering, or math and is best served as the team member pursues a fundamental research problem to a reasonable conclusion. No employer-employee relationship will exist between the team member and STEP^MT or Middle Tennessee State University, as a result of this award. The taxability of this stipend is a matter between the individual team member and the Internal Revenue Service. No federal, state, or local taxes will be withheld from the amounts shown below:

Upper Division Research Scholar (300 hours):	$4000
Lower Division Research Assistant (300 hours):	$3000
High School Teacher (200 hours):	$3500
High School Student (200 hours):	$2000

Two factors must be considered when answering this question. During Sessions II & III the student will be expected to work on this research with the other members of the team on a full-time basis. This usually excludes the possibility of attending classes that meet during the day. Therefore, students wishing to take classes scheduled during the research project must obtain the permission of the faculty member leading their team. The second consideration is the amount of financial aid the student is receiving in addition to the research stipend form STEP^MT. Students enrolled in 6 or more hours of course work during the summer months must meet the same eligibly requirements and restrictions of a full time student and may find their stipend amount reduced by Financial Aid. MT Students may take up to a combined total of 5 hours during Sessions I & IV without any restrictions. Undergraduate students who are enrolled in another college or university are exempt from the MT Financial Aid restrictions but may want to discuss the situation with one of their financial aid counselors.

No. Team members are responsible for providing their own local housing and/or transportation to and from campus for the duration the their research project.

The STEP^MT research community and CO-Pi's of the project will be available as intellectual /social support for the research teams. There will be some planned activities over the summer so that your group will not feel isolated. Some of these activities may already be listed on the STEP^MT Calendar for June and July.

Summer 2005 Projects -- Summer 2006 Projects -- Summer 2007 Projects -- Summer 2008 Projects -- Summer 2009 Projects