The Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy allows qualified students the opportunity to accelerate through middle and high school academic curriculum, entering the university as early as 15 years of age. Denoted in the Academy as "waves," students will also participate in experiential learning as described below.
Academic: A one-year academic program that enables students to move through middle-school curriculum in two semesters.
Experiential: On-site presentations featuring visiting professionals from ASU schools, laboratory experiences, group field trips to local businesses, etc.
Academic: A two-year academic program enabling students to move through high school graduation requirements in four semesters. Students may take Cambridge International Assessments at the end of each class. Class work is provided by highly qualified high school teachers.
Experiential: Second-Wave Students-Students select three areas of interest to explore, and sit-in on ASU courses related to their selected areas. Students then arrange for a speaker to conduct a guest lecture at the Academy in their area of interest.
Third-Wave Students- Students write an annotated bibliography in an area of interest.
Academic: A two-year academic program that enables students to move through 45 university credit hours in four semesters. Classes will be taken on the ASU West Campus, and will be taught by university instructors.
Experiential: Fourth-Wave Students- Students participate in a mentorship in an area related to their annotated bibliography. Students pursue independent study under the direction of a professional/expert in the student's field of interest.* The mentor, the student, and the coordinator design a curricular plan of activities and projects that expose the student to real-life work situations incorporating current information and the most recent technology. The mentorship typically runs ninety days.
*Teamed with a professional who acts as their mentor during a 45-60 hour program period, the mentoring experience exposes students to real-world professional experiences in their areas of interest.
Fifth-Wave Students- Students complete research projects in a topic of choice. Each student will present at a conference or to a panel of experts in the field of study. Examples of research projects include theme papers, defenses, and other demonstrations of learning. Areas of study include: Business, Chemistry, Astronomy, English, Computer Science, Biology, Global Studies, Psychology, and Physics.
