Why It Matters
Eastern Idaho’s advanced energy, cybersecurity, and engineering sectors are expanding rapidly — and local employers need skilled workers to fill the pipeline. A new summer program at the College of Eastern Idaho is giving high school students a direct path toward those careers, at no cost to families.
For Idaho parents looking to maximize their children’s educational opportunities without adding financial burden, the Summer STEM Bridge Program offers a rare combination: real college credit, hands-on industry experience, and zero out-of-pocket cost.
What Happened
The College of Eastern Idaho has announced the launch of its inaugural Summer STEM Bridge Program, an eight-week, in-person initiative designed to give local high school students early exposure to college-level coursework in science, technology, engineering, and math.
The program runs from June 2 through July 23 on CEI’s Idaho Falls campus. It is open to high school sophomores, juniors, and graduating seniors. Students who complete the program can earn between five and six college credits — at no cost to them or their families.
Participants will take two college-level courses: Fundamentals of Network Security and a college-level math class. Both will be taught by CEI faculty and industry experts. Students will also build academic and career portfolios and take part in two STEM-focused field experiences at Idaho National Laboratory facilities.
An information session for students and parents will be held at CEI at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 13. Interested families can sign up or learn more at cei.edu/summer-stem-bridge.
By the Numbers
- 8 weeks — length of the Summer STEM Bridge Program (June 2 – July 23)
- 5 to 6 college credits — what participating students can earn
- 2 college-level courses — Network Security and college math
- 2 field experiences — on-site visits to Idaho National Laboratory facilities
- 25 miles — the distance threshold beyond which students qualify for transportation cost assistance
In Their Own Words
Mary Stephenson, associate vice president for K–14 and Rural Initiatives at CEI, said the program is designed to connect students with real-world opportunity. “Students will engage in rigorous coursework, receive high-quality support, build connections, and gain a real-world perspective on the opportunities available to them in our local workforce,” Stephenson said.
Hope Morrow, manager of workforce and economic programs at Idaho National Laboratory, emphasized the program’s workforce value. “Innovative workforce programs like these not only prepare students for real-world jobs, but they accelerate their access to them, strengthening Idaho’s workforce and supporting the region’s critical industries,” Morrow said.
Zoom Out
The Summer STEM Bridge Program is part of a broader effort to build Idaho’s homegrown talent pipeline in high-demand industries. Eastern Idaho is home to some of the nation’s most significant nuclear energy and national security research infrastructure, anchored by Idaho National Laboratory — and the need for qualified local workers continues to outpace supply.
The program is offered through the Battelle Energy Alliance Applied STEM Institute at CEI, which is set to open in Fall 2026. The institute is intended to serve as the region’s hub for hands-on STEM learning, career-connected education, and future workforce partnerships. As Idaho lawmakers and business leaders continue pushing for stronger investment in workforce development and critical industries, programs like this represent a market-aligned, low-cost approach to preparing the next generation of Idaho workers.
The cost of the program — including tuition, fees, and books — is covered by grants, scholarships, and state funding, meaning taxpayers are supporting a direct return: a more skilled, locally rooted workforce in fields critical to national security and economic growth.
What’s Next
Space in the Summer STEM Bridge Program is limited, and CEI is encouraging interested students to join the interest list as soon as possible. The April 13 information session at CEI’s Idaho Falls campus will give students and parents a chance to ask questions and learn about the enrollment process.
Longer term, the full launch of the Battelle Energy Alliance Applied STEM Institute this fall is expected to expand the scope of career-connected STEM education available to students across eastern Idaho, building on the momentum created by this inaugural summer program.
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