FORGES
Foundations for Outreach & Recruitment of Great Engineers & Scientists (FORGES)
At the University of Delaware, CHARM’s FORGES program works alongside industry partners and several academic departments from UD’s College of Engineering and College of Arts & Science to bring local high school students a summer program wide variety of hands-on science activities. For 1 week during the summer, participants spend each day with a different unit in STEM-focused workshops, lab tours, and connecting with UD professors, graduate students, and undergrads. The FORGES program looks for students who are considering a future career in the sciences and would like to learn about what other science fields are out there such as chemical & biomolecular engineer, materials science & engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry & biochemistry, and gene editing technology.
Why join FORGES?
Participants students can expect to:
-
- learn about more STEM fields you may not encounter in standard HS STEM curriculum;
- become more comfortable in an university-level laboratory before beginning college;
- work directly with UD faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students who can answer your college & career questions; and
- create connections for your future career that will strengthen your resume!
- learn about more STEM fields you may not encounter in standard HS STEM curriculum;
*Quotes below taken from post-program assessments.
“We didn’t just do labs and stuff, there was a purpose behind it. There was a bigger picture that would tell you ‘this is what this is used for in the real world’ or you were literally doing what people in that profession actually do.”
“I’ve always wanted to be a pre-med major, but I feel like FORGES furthered my knowledge of it…I [was able] to meet someone here who did do pre-med in college, and I got to ask them a lot of questions.”
“I thought it would be beneficial to me in learning different aspects of science, not just the ones…I’m particularly familiar with, but like material science stuff that I didn’t know was a thing.”
Upcoming FORGES Summer Program: June 23ʳᵈ – 27ᵗʰ, 2025
Eligibility
Eligible applicants:
-
- Are currently in 8th – 12th grade
- Have a curiosity for STEM career and educational pathways
- Are a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident of the US
- Are currently in 8th – 12th grade
Interested in joining?
The FORGES 2025 application is open, apply now!
Previous FORGES Cohorts
2024 Student Cohort
MarQuex Barrett, St. Elizabeth High School ’25
Paul Carpenter, Middletown High School ’25
Sirriya Cruz, St. Elizabeth High School ’25
Ne’Hemiah Hamilton, St. Elizabeth High School ’25
Jade McDaniel, St. Elizabeth High School ’26
Shil Shah, Middletown High School ’26
Nasir Shaw, Middletown High School ’25
Devyanshi Sharma, Middletown High School ’25