For 36 years, Newman University’s Investigative Summer STEM Program (ISSP) has introduced high school students to the excitement of college life and career exploration.
The most recent summer program, held June 7-12, welcomed high schoolers from across the U.S. for immersive experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Participants earned two hours of college credit while conducting hands-on research, exploring STEM careers and getting to know peers with similar interests.
This year’s camp was made possible by support from the Berry Foundation. It also marked the final summer under the leadership of Ryan Huschka, chair of Newman’s Science and Math Division and associate professor of chemistry.
Hands-on research
Students began the week by touring campus, participating in a STEM-themed escape room challenge and learning about potential research projects before selecting their preferred topics. Throughout the week, students worked closely with Newman faculty in small research groups in the state-of-the-art Bishop Gerber Science Center.
Students also explored Newman’s $1 million mobile agricultural lab trailer, toured the Flint Hills Resources Technical Center operated by Koch Industries and visited the Lake Afton Public Observatory. The program concluded with student research presentations, awards and a certificate ceremony recognizing the participants’ work.
For sophomore Davis Taylor of Overland Park, Kansas, who hopes to pursue engineering, the camp offered an opportunity to explore different fields.
“It is narrowing down my choices that I will make for what major I want to do,” Taylor said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to do computer science, biology or chemistry, but this is just helping narrow it down a lot.”
Taylor’s interest in STEM started after he decided to participate in his high school robotics team. The team recently qualified for an international championship event in Houston, which built on his excitement for engineering even more. The opportunity to apply some of what he’s learned through robotics in Newman’s ISSP has made it all the more rewarding.
One of his favorite STEM activities during the camp involved constructing a motorized vehicle using a kit. After one of his wheels unexpectedly broke off the car, he improvised a solution.
“I just moved the wheel back to the center, which removed a lot of weight,” Taylor said. “So it actually went faster.”
A look into college life
Students stayed in Newman University’s Beata Residence Hall throughout the week, giving many their first taste of campus living.
Morgan Loeppke, a returning participant from Andale High School, said that experience is one of the program’s greatest strengths.
“I would recommend it because you’re away from home for a week,” Loeppke said. “You can also get a glimpse into what college life will be like because your mom’s not going be there to baby you and wake you up each morning.”
Loeppke enjoyed the 2025 ISSP program so much that she decided to re-enroll for a second year.
“I love what we do in the program here,” she said. “And it’s also two college credit hours, so I’m like, ‘Hey, I’ll take it.’”
A self-described “chemistry nerd,” Loeppke plans to study architecture after high school. She said her research project examining different forms of energy production helped reinforce valuable lessons about experimentation and persistence.
“I feel like that helps a lot because architecture will definitely be a lot of trial and error into what works and what doesn’t,” she said.
Inspiring future STEM careers
ISSP participant Matthew Peterson, a senior from Shawnee and Mill Valley High School, said the camp only increased his desire to enter the medical field. The initial interest began after a family medical scare.
“Last year my dad had a heart attack,” Peterson said. “He’s fine now, but I want to help people who are not healthy and get them healthy again.”
Peterson said ISSP offered a glimpse into the type of work he may encounter in the future.
“It’s good experience doing research and learning about science with other like-minded people,” he said. “I think it’ll be helpful for the future.”
Building friendships beyond the labs
While research remained central to the experience, students said the social activities helped make the week even more memorable.
The schedule included ice skating, bowling, movie night, games, residence hall activities and even field trips.
“The research is fun, but the social activities are really fun. For example, last night we did karaoke,” Peterson said midway through the week. “Me and my friend even did a FIFA tournament … Those were all really fun.”
Taylor echoed the importance of the friendships formed during the week.
“It’s very, very, very fun,” he said. “You meet a bunch of new people, you learn a lot and you don’t feel like you’re working the entire time. I’ve made tons of new friends here that I would not have known otherwise.”
Loeppke agreed, adding, “It’s kind of a good mix of a lot of STEM, some social activities and meeting new people.”
Join the wait list for 2027 ISSP
Learn more about Newman’s Investigative Summer STEM Program (ISSP) to see if it’s a good fit for your student.
