During the months of June and July, Lehigh University hosts the annual S.T.A.R. (Students That Are Ready) Academy. The S.T.A.R. Academy is a series of three, one week long free camps in which rising 10th and 11th graders from economically challenged homes in the Bethlehem area school district can learn more about college life. The program has been running for over 20 years and it is currently being led by Dr. Sarah Stanlick, the director of the Center for Community Engagement and a professor within the Department of Sociology. “The most rewarding part of the program for me is seeing students start to consider more seriously what a college path looks like and to be newly aware of the many supports and resources that can help make that path achievable,” said Dr. Stanlick.
During each of the three, one week long camps this year, groups of rising 10th and 11 graders interacted with current Lehigh students, performed hands-on experiments, participated in off campus excursions to Touchstone Theatre, Wildlands Conservancy, and Lost River Caverns, went to information sessions on getting into and affording college, and attended academic and experiential sessions. The academic sessions mainly focused on chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science. During one of the experiential learning sessions, students learned about the concept of sustainability by going through a fun exercise that examined the secret life of a strawberry. The Office of Sustainability used this activity as a mechanism for showing students what sustainability is and how they can incorporate the three pillars of sustainability - environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic prosperity - into their daily decision making.
The rising 10th and 11th graders stayed in the UMOJA house during the camp. This allowed them to experience residential life on Lehigh’s campus and learn what it is like to have a roommate. “This residential experience is a critical element, as students are living on campus, experiencing the dining halls, and taking advantage of having a community of scholars right outside their door,” said Dr. Stanlick. At the end of each of the week long camps, there was a BBQ where the students were able to show their parents what they learned during their S.T.A.R Academy experience. “The Center for Community Engagement has been working with the Bethlehem Area School District closely to create better processes and deeper connections to our outreach and engagement opportunities, as well as ensure all Lehigh engagement also meets the academic and developmental goals the district has set for itself. We hope to see more South Side Bethlehem students excited about and applying to come to Lehigh! ,” said Dr. Stanlick.