Ten years of fully funded, comprehensive support for Stars’ STEM journeys
Voyager is a ten-year, fully funded program that supports and inspires our Stars’ mathematical journeys from as early as second grade through the end of high school. Voyager is designed for families with significant unmet need for both guidance and financial support. Over ten years, we invest more than $100,000 in each Star to create a pathway for them to reach the frontiers of mathematics, science, and technology. Every Star is unique, so we work in close partnership with them and their families to design a journey that aligns with their strengths and interests.
Voyager is named after the NASA program that launched two interstellar probes in 1977. Those probes made discoveries about Saturn and Jupiter during their initial missions that greatly expanded our understanding of those planets. Their missions were then extended to exploring Uranus and Neptune — and then extended again to encompass the area beyond our solar system. Incredibly, both probes are still in operation! They are currently the only human-made objects in interstellar space.
All Voyager Stars receive support aligned with our four program components:
Stars explore deep, engaging, and challenging mathematics at a pace and level customized to their needs.
Stars enroll in at least one advanced math course each semester, either through our partners Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) or through other high-quality providers.
To cultivate a strong mathematical identity, Stars engage in 30- to 60-minute individual or collaborative weekly sessions with a math mentor. These sessions involve deep problem solving, exploring new concepts, and posing mathematical questions.
Stars enjoy annual STEM summer experiences. These opportunities connect them with like-minded peers and talented faculty, fostering in-depth explorations of new STEM concepts.
As our Stars identify their fields of interest, we collaborate to build flexible pathways aligned with these interests, including options like research in mathematics or a focus on computer science.
Stars and their families receive financial support for STEM opportunities of their choice during the school year and summers.
Families receive a yearly budget for their Star to participate in STEM enrichment opportunities such as robotics clubs, museum memberships, chess lessons, and more. Our advisors guide families in maximizing these funds to fully support their child’s STEM interests.
Stars receive a welcome pack at the program’s start to ensure access to virtual math courses, mentoring, and resources. The pack includes technology, supplies, books, and games!
Stars and their families receive comprehensive, ongoing support from advisors who understand the needs of academically advanced students.
Families receive continuous support from an advisor throughout their 10-year journey. Advisors meet monthly with families to build personalized pathway plans, identify and enroll in STEM programs, and address any individual needs.
Advisors collaborate with families to advocate for their child’s needs in school. This includes sharing information on advocacy rights, building school relationships, navigating gifted and special education programs, and determining appropriate math class placements. Their support extends to researching, applying to, and selecting schools during key transitions.
During high school, Stars explore career pathways through internships and events. We provide quality college counseling to ensure Stars can apply to and afford their preferred colleges.
Stars and their families are connected and supported in a community of belonging.
Stars and their families kick off the program with an in-person Welcome Weekend and engage in regular in-person and virtual events throughout their 10-year journey. From quarterly virtual community events to family- and advisor-led meet-ups and interest-driven clubs, we foster a strong, lasting community.
Stars and their families have access to forums during and after the program to stay connected and share experiences.
Families have access to a database of key resources as they navigate supporting their child’s strengths, areas of growth, and interests. Families also receive newsletters with program updates and celebrations of Stars’ and their families’ achievements.
Every National Math Stars family plots their own journey, with the help of their advisor and math mentor. Which classes a Star takes, STEM activities they pursue, and summer camps they attend depend on their background and interests.
Here’s a broad picture of what to expect in our Voyager Stars Program:
Haripriya and her mother at Welcome Weekend 2024
Exploring the difference of squares in a math mentoring session
Learning about robots at the FIRST National Championships
Houston-area 2025 end-of-year celebration
August 2024:
September 2024:
October 2024:
November 2024:
December 2024:
March 2025:
April 2025:
May 2025:
July 2025: