Jeffery Mills, an eighth-grade student at William R. Davie STEM Academy, has been accepted to the North Carolina School of Science and Math Step Up to STEM Camp in Elizabeth City.

This is a free one-week summer program for underrepresented minority students.

The NCSSM Step Up to STEM is an innovative interdisciplinary academic program that uses real-world subjects to challenge rising ninth and 10th graders across North Carolina and build their science, math, technology, and communications skills.

Students can take advantage of many enrichment activities during the program's residential summer institute. 

The program is open by application to eighth-grade African American, Hispanic American, and Native American students who live in North Carolina. 

Students accepted into and complete the program as rising-ninth graders are offered a spot to return for the second programming summer.

“Congratulations to Jeffrey Mills on being accepted into the Step Up To STEM summer program,” said Superintendent Eric Cunningham. “This is an excellent opportunity to explore skills that will benefit his education.” 

School counselor Delmeshia Jones said this is the first time a student at Davie has been accepted in five years. 

Mills is excited about the opportunity. “I am thankful for this opportunity. I am looking forward to learning new things about STEM and meeting other scholars from different schools in North Carolina." 

He said the experience will allow him to be more prepared for high school. “My parents were also thrilled when they received the news about my acceptance into the program." 

Principal Brian Biles congratulated Mills and his parents for what he called a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The camp runs July 10-15. 

Step Up to STEM is made possible by financial support from Cisco Systems, the Anonymous Trust Foundation, and the Barber Fund for Underrepresented Minorities for STEM Leadership.