Vermont EPSCoR teamed up with the Governor's Institutes of Vermont (GIV) to provide a great summer camp experience for high school students. GIV hosted two institutes in June 2026 that gave 10th, 11th, and 12th graders from across Vermont a chance to strengthen their STEM skills. The Technology and Design Institute ran from June 20th through June 28th at Champlain College, and the Mathematical Sciences Institute ran from June 21st through June 28th at the University of Vermont. Both institutes brought students from across Vermont together for a week of learning and activities.
 

Bernard "Chip" Cole, PhD, Director of Vermont EPSCoR, offered students a session focused on applications of, and potential career pathways, for those interested in mathematics titled: "Stats in Public Health."
 
The experience brought rave reviews from many students who participated. Ella Apuzzo-Kidder said regarding the Technology and Design Institute, "I had the best time at the GIV Tech & Design Institute! I met so many amazing people, especially two people who I am very close to now. I wanted to say that I am so grateful for this experience, the RAs, the staff, and the whole institute! I also am so happy that there is a sliding scale for tuition because it made attending the institute much easier and stress-free. Thank you so much! I will hopefully be doing GIV again next year."
 
Maelyn Slavik, who attended the Mathematical Sciences Institute, said, "My favorite part of GIV was being around people who loved math but also just wanted to have fun; we went from learning about projective space to playing water polo, and I loved it."
 
More information about the Technology and Design Institute can be found here, and more information about the Mathematical Sciences Institute can be found here.