The BridgeUSA STEM Summer Camp Training and Development Exchange

The BridgeUSA STEM Summer Camp Training and Development Exchange program aims to offer an opportunity for participants to receive training on the mechanisms behind youth STEM summer camps hosted at a U.S. institution of higher education. This program will provide a comprehensive experience for the participants to gain knowledge and skills necessary to develop and implement youth STEM summer programs at their home institutions. Exchange visitors will be placed at either the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) or Sam Houston State University (SHSU), and paired with U.S. faculty members in STEM to promote collaboration on research and training. Virtual programming will occur before and after the exchange. The program will fully support and fund up to 12 participants in 2025 from eligible countries in Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, and Western Hemisphere. 

Program Objectives 

• Provide participants with training in curriculum development, lesson planning, and classroom management for youth STEM summer camps.
• Expose participants to innovative teaching methods and technologies used in STEM education in the U.S.
• Increase participants' knowledge of climate solutions and the possible solutions to climate crisis

Program Activities

Online Climate Solution Speaker Series

Participants will attend a virtual speaker series focused on climate solutions. The Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC) will leverage its university members to curate esteemed climate solution experts to deliver relevant and leading research within the climate industry. Example topics include, emerging technologies and eco-innovations, and clean-energy innovations, and the intersection of the environment and public health. 

English Language Support/EFL Instruction for STEM

All applicants must possess adequate English speaking ability in order to participate in a J Visa Exchange Program prior to being accepted for the program. Prior to the exchange program, participants needing additional support will receive targeted English language instruction tailored to their specific STEM education needs. This language support will enhance their communication skills and facilitate effective collaboration in scientific and technical fields.

3-Week In-Person Exchange Program 

Participants will be placed at a TIEC member institution, assigned a faculty mentor, and observe, learn, and participate in the administration of STEM summer camp. Participants will contribute to an action plan capstone activity with the goal of replicating a STEM focused summer camp in their home country.

Exchange Program Includes:

• International travel
• J visa related (I-901/Interview/travel to embassy)
• Health insurance
• Airport transportation
• Housing and meals
• Cultural excursions

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants from these countries can apply:

• Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mauritius, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Zambia‍
• East Asia and the Pacific: Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu‍
• Western Hemisphere: Bahamas, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Applicant Criteria

• Faculty, staff, and graduate students at a university, or faculty and staff at a TVET college
• Conducts STEM related research, teaching, or programming at their home institution
• Interest in developing STEM related summer camps for youth education to implement at their home institution
• Letter from home institution endorsing your participation in this exchange

Information Sessions

Please consider attending one of our information sessions to get additional information about the program and ask any questions. Information sessions will be held at the following times:

• October 3rd 11:00 am CDT (4 am GMT)
• October 22nd 6:00 pm CDT (11 pm GMT)
• November 7th 8:00 am CST (2 pm GMT)

Register here to attend one of the sessions.

Important: A Gmail account is needed to apply online. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create one for free. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the Google Account Creation page.
2. Fill in the required fields, including your first and last name, a username for your Gmail account, and a password.
3. Click “Next” and follow the instructions to verify your phone number.
4. Complete the recovery email and security questions as prompted.
5. Review and accept Google’s terms and conditions.
6. Once your account is set up, you can use your new Gmail address to complete the application.

If you're unable to access the application via Google Forms, please download the PDF version here.