The Michigan State University Honors College, the MSU Detroit Center, the Office of Gifted and Talented Education and partners in the Detroit Public Schools Community District will host the second annual MSU Detroit Early Honors Experience August 6-9, 2024.

This innovative program helps rising eighth and ninth grade students build college readiness with a hands-on exploration of arts, technology and science.

Students gain field experience during DEHE conference.

“The MSU Detroit Early Honors Experience is a beautiful collaboration with the Detroit Public Schools Community District, who let our leadership know about a community need they had for exceptional student programming in the summer,” said Bess German, assistant dean of the MSU Honors College.

“The partnership enables us to bring together a host of rich resources from the great city of Detroit and field experts from MSU with talented middle school students from several schools in DPSCD,” she added. “We are excited to expand the program this year with new partnerships and sponsors.”

During the four-day program, students will strive to discover their voices as scholars within their community. MSU faculty and Detroit innovators will lead them in a series of engaging, educational activities and field visits.

Students learn in the classroom during DEHE conference.

Student feedback from a survey about the inaugural experience was overwhelmingly positive. Many mentioned interactive activities, great staff and meeting other students as their highlights.

Students will remain connected as Early Honors Scholars throughout high school, with opportunities to visit MSU’s campus and engage in its other precollege programs.

Participants will enjoy themed activities led by experts and gain experience at notable sites, including the Apple Developer Academy, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the Detroit Opera House.