You sit in a group of students, listening to a speaker. But this is no ordinary, boring lecture, and this is no ordinary, bored crowd. This is an opportunity for selected high school students passionate about their futures in science, technology, engineering, and math to listen to scientists, inventors and Nobel Prize winners.

Senior Luis Rodriguez and juniors Vivian Vu and Nicole Bogusch received the Award of Excellence from the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. These three students were nominated for The Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders, which they attended this summer.

“They had people who won the Nobel Peace Prize in science,” Rodriguez said. “They basically teach you, or tell you what you have to do to be successful like them.”

A minimum of a 3.5 GPA was required for nomination. Vu said her nomination was from College Board, though it can also come from teachers, counselors, and principals. 

“It was really nice because this was paired with Harvard,” Vu said.

The congress was three days. During that time, the delegates listened to and were mentored by leading members of the STEM field, participated in group activities, and received their Awards of Excellence at a formal ceremony.

“It was mostly educational,” Vu said. “We also got to see thoracic surgery, so that was neat. And on the last day we had a dance.”

The National Academy hopes to provide continued opportunities for students aspiring to be a part of the STEM field.

“They said that you don’t have to be super smart to be that person,” Rodriguez said. “You just have to be persistent.”