Frequently Asked Questions about SUU PREP

Please see the Daily Schedule page.

Southern Utah University, Cedar City. Classes are held across campus to give students a sense of University life. Field trips may be held on or off campus. Specific field trip information will be emailed to parents at least one week before PREP begins.

• Completed homework or makeup work (if any)
• Lunch
• Pencil and pen
• Water bottle

Students may also bring a bike, scooter, skateboard, etc, if they are using it for transportation to and from PREP. Such items will be kept at PREP Headquarters and will not be used during the day.

You are responsible to provide transportation to and from SUU PREP each day for your child. Many parents work together to carpool.

If you would like to be put on a carpool contact list, please email stemsummercamps@suu.edu. The contact list will be shared with  PREP parents who are interested in carpooling. 

Year One: Logic, Engineering,  Problem Solving I

Year Two: Algebraic Structures in Nature, Physics, Problem Solving II

Year Three: Cryptography, Probability and Statistics, Computer Science.

All students participate in annual challenge projects and have the option to attend Field Trips.

SUU PREP is a challenging and rigorous academic program designed to give students an advanced learning experience. Regular attendance is essential for success, as each day builds on the previous one through hands-on projects, collaboration, and academic enrichment.

Any absence, including tardies and partial-day absences, requires makeup work to ensure students stay on track. If makeup work is not completed at home, it will be completed during Challenge Project time.

To support the best possible outcomes, we strongly encourage families to minimize absences whenever possible. Consistent participation allows students to fully engage, develop their skills, and make the most of this unique academic opportunity.

SUU PREP’s intensive curriculum moves quickly and students will fall behind if they even miss one day. 

If you know your student will miss class for Utah Summer Games or other single- or part-day events, please email stemsummercamps@suu.edu to make arrangements for the makeup work.

To optimize learning for all students, a strict policy on obedience and cooperation is maintained. Participants may be dismissed from the program for any of the following: cheating, bullying, disrespectful behavior, disregard for written or verbal rules, not following campus rules, etc. 

Please review the Code of Conduct for complete expectations.

Regular classroom time can be used to complete assigned work. If students use this time wisely, they will rarely have homework.

If a student is absent or tardy, they will be required to complete makeup work to ensure they stay on track. If makeup work is not completed at home, it will be completed during Challenge Project time.

We encourage parents and guardians to help with SUU PREP homework whenever possible. We understand this can sometimes feel daunting—especially when the material is new—but remember: you and your student are on this STEM journey together.

The scientific and engineering processes are built on exploration—trying, failing, and trying again. You don’t need to have all the answers to make a difference. Your encouragement, curiosity, and willingness to problem-solve alongside your student are what matter most.

Tips for helping at home:

• Ask your student what they remember from class.

• Encourage them to explain their reasoning out loud.

• Ask guiding questions rather than giving direct answers.

• Be curious and learn together.

• Use Khan Academy, YouTube, or other trusted resources for tutorials when needed.

• Most importantly—work through it together.

Your involvement supports not only your student’s learning but also their confidence, perseverance, and love of discovery.

If homework or makeup work is not completed at home, it will be completed during Challenge Project time.

If missing and incomplete assignments are habitual, the student may be put on probation until the parents meet with the SUU PREP director.

The teacher nomination is an application requirement. Each student is required to provide the name and email address of a core teacher. We will ask that teacher to complete a survey rating the student regarding academic performance, conduct in class, willingness to participate in class, maturity, punctuality, eagerness to learn new things, etc.

We will have a limited number of spaces for Years 2 & 3 for highly motivated students who are willing to catch up on content from Year 1 & 2. If you are interested in learning more, please email stemsummercamps@suu.edu.

Yes! 

To submit the application, you will need the following items:

• Your most recent grades
• Student Essay, 100-200 words, in reply to the question "Why do I want to attend PREP?” (We suggest typing it out, revising, and then copy/pasting into our site when you are ready to apply.)
• Teacher email address to which a nomination form will be sent. The teacher's response will be sent back directly to the PREP Director.

Apply Here