Sunshine State Scholars

Florida High School STEM Scholars:

Each of Florida’s school districts selects their top 11th grade students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM). Each scholar, along with their parents, will travel to Orlando for an extraordinary program designed to bring together scholars from around the state, connect them with employers that specialize in the STEM fields, and create a networking opportunity between the scholars and schools from Florida’s College and State University System.

The two-day program honors each scholar for their significant academic accomplishments and celebrates the potential they represent for our communities and state. In addition to the honor the scholars receive from the Commissioner of Education, the Senior Chancellor and representatives from Florida’s colleges and universities meet with the students to discuss higher education opportunities available to them in Florida. This includes workshops for college applications and informational sessions on college funding for students and their parents! The 2022 Sunshine State Scholars program was held April 13 – April 15, 2023 in Orlando, Florida.

• Criteria for Selecting Scholars 2023 (PDF)
• 2023 Sunshine State Scholars Information and Registration
• Criteria for Selecting Scholars 2022 (PDF)
• 2022 Sunshine State Scholars Information and Registration

The Florida Lottery is a proud sponsor of the Sunshine State Scholars Program! Many of our Sunshine State Scholars are Bright Futures recipients – a scholarship program primarily funded by the Florida Lottery! Since 1988 the Florida Lottery has contributed more than $35 billion to public education. To learn more about the Florida Lottery and their commitment to helping Florida’s students shine, click here! Thanks for #FundingFutures!

STEM University

Whether you are leaning toward aerospace or biotechnology, nanofabrication or cybersecurity, Florida’s diverse higher education community has a place for every high school graduate planning to change the world through STEM.

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STEM Career

There are many reasons why the Sunshine State is home to a rapidly growing base of STEM employers..

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Sunshine State Scholars Past and Present

The Sunshine State Scholars event is a convergence of Florida’s highest caliber STEM students, the universities that hope to enroll them, and employers who might soon be very pleased to have them on their team.

Sunshine State Scholars Past and Present - Read More

STEM Partners

Sunshine State Scholars wouldn’t be possible without the involvement and support of our many supporting partners.

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