We’re excited to welcome a season filled with new adventures and opportunities! This summer, our calendar is packed—from hands-on STEM experiences to inspiring STEM college tours across the country.
We’re kicking things off with our Summer Saturday Series classes, and we’ve already celebrated the achievements of high school seniors throughout Michigan as well as launched our summer programs with Detroit Public Schools Community District.
Looking ahead, we can’t wait for next month’s out-of-state STEM College Tour—and that’s just the beginning! Don’t forget to check out our featured summer STEM opportunities listed under Summer Opportunities. There’s something for everyone, and we hope you’ll join us for an unforgettable summer!
Sincerely,
Michelle L. Reaves Executive Director, DAPCEP
Let the Summer Classes Begin…
This month, our summer classes are starting for elementary, middle, and high school students!They’re exploring exciting subjects like chemistry, computer science, sports science, entrepreneurship, and filmmaking—all on college campuses such as the University of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan–Dearborn, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, and more. Some students are even participating in overnight camps, giving them a firsthand experience of life on a college campus.
High School Senior Celebration
Last week, we had the privilege of celebrating some of our graduating DAPCEP seniors by visiting their homes and honoring this achievement. We are incredibly proud of our high school graduates and confident they will make a lasting impact in STEM and beyond. Take a look at the highlights below from these memorable celebrations!
Summer Programs
with Michigan Schools & Districts
This summer, DAPCEPwill host engaging STEM programs at schools in Detroit Public Schools Community District, Washtenaw Intermediate School District, Lincoln Consolidated, Ypsilanti Community Schools, Pontiac Middle School, and Michigan Virtual CharterAcademy for students in grades 3 - 10. Through hands-on activities and interactive lessons led by our dedicated DAPCEPteachers, students will explore exciting STEM topics and continue learning throughout the summer months!
Internship Opportunities Expand for Students in DAPCEP
Securing an internship can be a challenge for many students, but DAPCEP participants enjoy access to exclusive opportunities that set them apart. This summer, our students are interning with leading organizations such as Ford Motor Company, LM Manufacturing, and Cummins Inc gaining firsthand experience in STEM fields. These internships offer invaluable exposure and can be transformative for students aspiring to build successful STEM careers.
Summer Opportunities
Everyday Chemistry Program - Lawrence Technological University
Discover Chemistry in Everyday Life!
The Everyday Chemistry Summer Program is a one-week residential experience for students in grades 10–12. Students will dive into the fascinating world of chemistry through hands-on labs and interactive lessons that connect science to the real world. Taught by LTU faculty and Science Education alumni, this immersive program builds both foundational and advanced chemistry knowledge.
Students who complete the program may be eligible for an LTU scholarship to support their future studies in science.
Financial assistance is available for families who qualify.
Apply now!
Biotechnology Boot Camp -University of Detroit Mercy
In this hands-on biotech camp for 9th and 10th graders, students will extract DNA, modify bacteria, and explore the science behind diagnosing diseases and solving crimes.
Using real lab techniques like PCR and gel electrophoresis, then apply skills to medical case studies and forensic investigations.
Financial assistance is available for families who qualify.
DAPCEPIn-State STEM College Tour
Get ready! The DAPCEPIn-State CollegeTour is back this this summer. It will take place from Monday, July 28 through Friday,August 1. Each day, the tour will visit a different college or university
This incredible opportunity is open to students in grades 9–12 and offers the chance to visit some of the top universities in Michigan and nearby Ohio. The tentative universities the tour will visit include Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, Bowling Green State University, and Eastern Michigan University
Each day, the tour will depart from and return to the DAPCEP office in Downtown Detroit, MI. Please note: Departure and return times will vary each day based on the location of the university being visited.
Cost: $25
Click below to indicate interest in participating - only 40 spaces are available. The form will become a wait list once the first 40 names are entered.
I'm interested!
Don’t miss out on exciting STEM opportunities for students this summer! We’re offering a variety of STEM camps and residential STEM camps hosted on college campuses, along with college tours and other engaging experiences. Visit our website for more information!
Register Now!
DAPCEPreceives the Grand Prixmiere Fund-aCauseAward
We are deeply honored to have been selected as this year’s Grand Prixmiere Fund-a-Cause awardee by the Detroit Grand Prix Team — thank you for your incredible support! We also extend our heartfelt thanks toAmazon for serving as the match sponsor
Your generosity directly fuels our STEM summer camps, helping us empower and inspire the next generation of innovators. Together, we're making a lasting impact on students' lives this summer and beyond.
Alumni Spotlight: Joi Harris
We are proud to celebrate Joi Harris—DAPCEP alumna and Vice President of our Board—for her remarkable achievements and leadership. Harris began her career at DTE Energy as a teenager, first shadowing engineers and then joining full-time in 1991 after earning degrees in industrial engineering and business from Wayne State University. Over the next three decades, she held leadership roles across major divisions, including distribution operations, energy projects, and infrastructure modernization.
She became president of DTE Gas in 2021—the first woman and person of color to lead the utility—and later assumed broader responsibility as president and COO of all DTE utilities in 2023. Under her leadership, the company saw significant improvements in electric grid reliability and progress toward clean energy goals.
Astrong advocate for STEM education and diversity, Harris has served on multiple community and educational boards. In June 2025, she was named DTE Energy’s firstAfricanAmerican female CEO, with her appointment effective September 8, 2025.
ShareYour DAPCEPStory!
Students, parents, and community partners - DAPCEP would like to hear how our programs have impacted you. We're looking for testimonials to be filmed for storytelling to our funders, partners, and the community. Click below to indicate your interest in telling your DAPCEP story
I want to tell my DAPCEP story!
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Thank you DAPCEP Supporters!
This month, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible supporters. Their generosity and partnership continue to make a powerful, lasting difference in the lives of countless young people and in the communities we serve. DONATE
