Maturity and Independence
Independence is central to the STEM 9/10 experience, and for many of you, this level of independence will be a new experience. You will need to find within yourself the self-discipline to manage your time, set priorities and be mindful of such things as eating balanced meals, getting enough sleep and doing your own laundry—all without parental assistance. The STEM 9/10 program at Brown is a great opportunity for bright, motivated young people to practice independently managing their daily lives in a supportive and structured environment.
STEM 9/10 is a more structured experience than other pre-college programs occurring simultaneously on campus, allowing you the opportunity to begin exercising a level of personal freedom that encourages you to grow as an individual. In addition to the academic course content, you are expected to provide a significant level of care and attention to your academic project. The program also includes some free-choice time for you to explore, as well as structured activities, study time and recreational co-curricular experiences. STEM 9/10 students stay together as a cohort in the evenings and on the weekend and are expected to engage in all structured program activities. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program.
You will learn quickly how—and how necessary it is—to balance your academic responsibilities with responsible living in a new community. You will navigate these expectations with the help of a team of carefully selected and trained Student Life staff, Brown University’s Pre-College Student Life team includes year-round staff, Student Life Managers who often work with K-12 students throughout the year, Coordinators who are primarily enrolled in graduate degree programs in student affairs or higher education, Resident Assistants, who are generally college-aged, support the residential experience and live with students, as well as staff supporting campus-wide events and housing operations.
The skilled and caring staff support and guide you to resources around campus, accompanying you and your peers to mandatory activities and aiding you in negotiating challenges that may arise as part of living and learning in a new environment. RAs will help you balance the competing demands of academics and socializing, and remind you of and enforce policies when necessary. The RAs lead floor meetings several times throughout the program and facilitate community building among their group of STEM 9/10 students. RAs not only support students, but they are there to be mentors and answer questions concerning high school and college life.
The residential staff's emphasis on community-building and individual responsibility encourages you to develop the necessary skills and capacities in a way that is as enjoyable as it is rewarding.
For the security of our students, visitors (including parent(s)/guardian(s) and family members) are not permitted to enter residence halls when the program is in session except to bring students to their room at the start of their program or move them out at the conclusion. If a STEM 9/10 parent/guardian requires access they must recieve approval from, and be accompanied by senior staff.
Class Attendance
You are required to attend class. Instructors will take attendance during each class.
While we understand that many students have very busy summer schedules, you should not enroll in classes that conflict with commitments that would require you to miss any days of class. Brown Pre-College STEM 9/10 courses are intensive learning experiences where students spend three hours in class each morning along with two afternoon classes each week. Missing classes jeopardizes your ability to engage successfully and complete coursework. Many classes also involve group work, and missing classes can negatively impact the learning experience of other students in your class. Missing classes can also result in being dismissed from the program.
Outside of Class Expectations
You will be expected to complete 12 to 15 hours of homework over the two weeks. This work will complement the learning within the course and help you prepare for your final academic project which you will present on the last day of the program to your peers and families. This work may include readings, group projects, writing assignments and presentations. The details for the closing event will be provided via email.
Academic Resources
You should consider taking advantage of many of the resources listed below. In college, getting support and learning outside of class is a great benefit and does not necessarily indicate you are having challenges. It’s a good idea to start getting comfortable using these resources now so you are prepared to do so in college.
- Course Materials: You are notified via your student portal at least two weeks prior to the start of your course regarding books or materials that you need to purchase. Any other course specific supplies will be provided, if applicable. You should come prepared with pencils/pens, a notebook and any other essential items that you need for note-taking.
- Canvas is the Learning Management Tool that Brown University uses for course materials, syllabus, communication with instructors and other resources for each course. Your instructor may use Canvas to provide you virtual access to course-specific resources.
- Libraries: All active students are able to access University Library resources virtually and can use library space. To visit the Brown University Library virtual access here.
- Writing Center: You can make an appointment to request support with writing assignments. Please follow the link to the Writing Center here for details and an appointment request form.
- Language Support: Brown offers support to students whose primary language is not English. To find out more and to make an appointment, please follow the link to language support services here.
- Instructor Office Hours: Office hours are a regular part of learning in universities. They are not the same as needing to meet with a teacher in high school because there is a problem. During office hours you can discuss course content and assignments, ask questions to expand your learning and have the opportunity to build a relationship with your instructor. Instructors will share their available office hours with you during the first course meeting and likely in the syllabus. We recommend you take advantage of these opportunities.
Academic Project
Faculty enhance the academic content through the inclusion of a challenging and comprehensive research project, activity or design challenge. You will spend time out of class during the two weeks working on this project and present your efforts on the final day to your instructor, peers and your parent(s)/guardian(s) and family. You are given the personal freedom to decide where and when to study within your given free time. It is expected that you will participate actively with your group and produce a final project that will make you, your peers, families and instructors proud.
Activities
You will also have access to the Nelson Fitness Center, including their pool and fitness classes throughout the duration of your program.
Housing
STEM 9/10 students will live in Brown’s residence halls within walking distance of classrooms and dining halls. You will be assigned to live with another STEM 9/10 student, no more than one year apart in age. You will be asked to complete the Housing Agreement and Preference Form to indicate your preference for your housing location. Roommate requests will not be honored. You are assigned a roommate so that you can build friendships with new people.
Students who need to request housing accommodations based on a learning, psychological and/or physical disability should indicate they may require an accommodation when completing the Medical Authorization and Health History Form which must be submitted by May 29. If you have questions about your specific situation and whether it can be accommodated prior to enrollment, please email accessibility@brown.edu. We strongly encourage students to contact us as early as possible, and no later than three weeks before the start of the program.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in Brown’s all-you-care-to-eat dining hall(s) daily. Three meals a day are included in the cost of residential program fees. STEM 9/10 students are also provided snacks regularly as a part of the program.
Dining Services Information
There are resources to help you with food-related allergies, dietary restrictions and other needs for accommodations to navigate the options in the dining halls. Prior to arrival, you should familiarize yourself with Brown’s dining website which provides information about the various dietary options available. This site also includes icons for specific food types (e.g. gluten-free) that are consistent with those found in the on-campus dining locations. Brown offers a variety of options and signage that allow many students to manage without additional accommodations. Brown University students have many of the same dietary restrictions as Pre-College students, so the Dining Halls are well prepared to support most needs. Students with any food restrictions are encouraged to utilize the Brown Dining site while on-campus. This site is designed to help you make educated food choices while navigating Brown’s dining halls.
If you have a food allergy, dietary restriction or a need for another accommodation beyond the support available through the above websites, please indicate this on your Medical Authorization and Health History Form by May 29. The University’s Dietitian will reach out to you directly to offer to discuss your dining options, including but may not be limited tousing an online special meal request system, accessing the Allergen Friendly Pantry and guidance navigating the online information and dining halls. In addition, temporary dining accommodations can be provided using a Chef's card that is available on request when you swipe into the main dining hall, the Sharpe Refectory (Ratty). These cards can be used to request a special meal if you arrive on a weekend and have not yet formally arranged accommodations. These cards will enable you to request a meal that is gluten-free or free of the following allergens: shellfish, soy, dairy, nuts, peanuts, eggs, wheat, alcohol and fish. The menu options using this card are more limited and a meal is provided once the card is received, so these meals will take some additional time to prepare.
Laundry
There are laundry facilities in all residence halls. You will need to supply your own detergent. Students will swipe their ID card to operate machines. There is no additional fee for this service.
Mail Services
Mail may be sent to you during the program. Please do not send packages of bedding or clothing needed on move-in day in advance of your arrival, since the University’s mailroom is not open for package pick-up on Sundays.
Please note that mail sent to college campuses requires additional processing time for sorting and distribution, and any standard mailing or shipping delays may result in the mail or packages not reaching you prior to your campus departure. For those reasons, any mail/packages should be coordinated to arrive no later than one week prior to your departure. Mail should be sent to:
Student Name
Brown Pre-College Student
69 Brown Street
Providence, RI 02912
Lost and Found
The lost and found is located at Brown Public Safety & Emergency Management at 75 Charlesfield Street (401-863-1663). Items of value found in residence halls, such as jewelry, money and laptop computers will be turned in and students should call the Brown Public Safety & Emergency Management office to retrieve lost items.