Materials-SPIRE 2024
M-SPIRE is an annual 2-week summer program for high school and community college students. UCI MRSEC members lead team- and project-based activities and mentor students via a hierarchical mentoring model. M-SPIRE interns get hands-on experience in the fundamentals of materials research – design, synthesis, and characterization – on grand challenge topics studied in the CCAM. M-SPIRE research will inspire and prepare students to pursue four-year programs in materials related disciplines.
Program Dates and Deadlines
Date: July 08 – July 19, 2024
Application Deadline: March 15, 2024, at 11:59:00 PM
Program Benefits
- 2-weeks of in-person hands-on experience in the fundamentals of materials research – design, synthesis, and characterization – on grand challenge topics studied at the Center for Complex and Activity Materials at UCI campus
- Connections with UCI faculty and student mentors
- Guest speakers and lab tours
- Advising and support for applying to 4-year institution
Eligibility
For high school applicants:
- Must be a rising junior or senior with a minimum 3.00 unweighted cumulative GPA
For community college applicants:
- 3.00 minimum cumulative GPA (unweighted)
- Enrolled in a California community college
- Plan to return to a California community college in Fall 2024
- Plan to apply for transfer admissions to a Bachelor’s program
For ALL applicants:
- Available for the duration of the entire program: July 08- 19, 2024 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
- A thirst for knowledge – no experience needed!
Application Requirements
- Complete the application form
- Short Responses: Prompts you will respond to AFTER completing the application form:
- Required: Discuss why you are interested in being a scientist or engineer. What have you done, both in and out of the classroom, that demonstrates your motivation and interest in science? Give specific, recent examples.
- Optional: We acknowledge that every student has had unique life experiences that may not be captured in the above questions. The selection committee is interested in learning more about extenuating circumstances you have encountered throughout your journey.
- Unofficial transcripts, including any unofficial college transcripts if you took college courses in high school (PDF).
- One recommendation (you may have up to two submitted, but only one is required): On this form, you will provide the name(s) and email(s) of the people you have asked to submit a recommendation for you. When you submit your application, emails will be automatically sent to your recommenders to request a recommendation for you, so please be sure to provide accurate contact information.
Note: Limited on-campus housing is available for students who meet the criteria.
For more information, please contact Analia Rao at aerao@uci.edu.