Dive Into Real-World Problem Solving This Summer
Are you ready to tackle real-world challenges and get a taste of college life? The 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵ invites you to join our NextWave Pre-College Experience. This week-long program is your chance to explore, collaborate, and innovate alongside other high school students (grades 10–12).
You’ll conduct research, brainstorm innovative solutions for real-world problems, and develop a final presentation to share your findings. You’ll immerse yourself in a dynamic, hands-on learning environment that blends technical feasibility, health care considerations, and broader societal perspectives like sustainability.
Here’s the best part:
If you successfully complete the program and later enroll at 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵas a full-time undergraduate student, you’ll receive a $2,000 scholarship toward your tuition. In other words, if you become a Nor’easter, this program could effectively be a free preview of UNE.
Program Details
The Summer 2025 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵNextWave Pre-College Experience will run from Sunday, July 6 to noon, Saturday, July 12. You will live in 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵdorms, supervised by camp counselors and staff, and experience college life through academic sessions, dining hall meals, team-building activities, and access to beautiful campus facilities, including our fitness centers.
Admission
are due May 1, 2025. Once you submit your application, it will be reviewed by our Pre-College Programs Committee. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Students and their parents/guardians will typically receive an official email regarding their admission status within 10 business days after we receive the completed application.
If you and your parent do not receive an email within two weeks of applying, please contact the program director Golshan Madraki, Ph.D., at gmadraki@une.edu for assistance.
Cost
Tuition is $2,000. If you complete the program and enroll at 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵas a full-time undergraduate student, you’ll receive a $2,000 scholarship toward tuition.
If you are accepted to the program, a deposit of $100 is required to secure your spot. The remaining $1,900 must be fully paid by June 1, 2024.
What Tuition Covers
- Welcome reception for students and their families
- Award and certification ceremony at the end of the week (all families are invited)
- 24/7 Resident Assistant to support and guide students
- Academic sessions taught by 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵprofessors who are experts in their fields
- Evening team-building events and fun/educational activities
- Site visits to relevant businesses and locations
- All meals, snacks, and housing
- T-shirt with program logo
- Access to UNE’s beautiful Biddeford campus facilities, including the gym, etc.
Travel costs to 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵare not covered.
Application Information
In addition to a number of questions you will write a letter of interest (no more than 500 words).
In your letter, explain why you are interested in a pre-college experience and what excites you about UNE’s NextWave program. Share what you hope to gain from this opportunity and how it aligns with your future academic and career aspirations. Feel free to include any additional information that highlights your passion and motivation for participating in the program.
Why 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵNextWave for Your Pre-College Experience
You will:
- Learn from expert faculty across business, science, mathematics, health care, education, and more.
- Tackle complex issues using critical thinking and creativity from multiple perspectives.
- Conduct research, collaborate in teams, and present your ideas at the college-level.
- Stay on UNE’s beautiful Biddeford Campus and get a taste of college life.
- Connect with new friends and grow your professional network.
- Strengthen your college application, earn a program certificate, and secure recommendation letters from faculty.
- Present your work during a final ceremony and celebrate your achievements with your family.
Summer 2025 Challenge
Designing a Food Business for Maine’s Future
In this year’s program you’ll collaborate with a small team to design a sustainable and innovative food business that could thrive in Maine’s vibrant culinary landscape. Known for its fresh seafood, farm-to-table movement, and thriving food scene, Maine offers a unique setting to tackle one of humanity’s most pressing challenges — sustainable food practices.
Problem Statement
Restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and markets are integral to Maine’s economy and culture, yet they face challenges related to food waste, resource inefficiency, and environmental impact. The problem is multifaceted:
- Food Waste: Approximately 30-40% of food is wasted in the U.S. annually, representing billions of dollars lost and significant environmental harm.
- Sustainability Practices: Many food businesses struggle to balance sustainability with profitability.
- Consumer Awareness: While consumers value sustainability, they often lack the tools or knowledge to make eco-friendly food choices.
How might we design a sustainable food business that reflects Maine’s values, appeals to tourists and locals, and addresses these challenges?
Challenge
This summer, you’ll be challenged to design a sustainable and innovative food business that could thrive in Maine’s vibrant culinary landscape. This business could take the form of a restaurant, pop-up café, food truck, or other creative concepts. Your solution should emphasize environmental, social, technological, and economic sustainability while celebrating Maine’s unique food culture.
You’ll work alongside 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵprofessors and local experts in sustainability, business, environmental science, and food systems to develop creative solutions. At the end of the program, you’ll present your proposals to a panel of 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵfaculty, community leaders, and industry professionals.
Objectives
From your research and collaboration, you will:
- Develop an Innovative Concept: Create a food business model that integrates Maine’s culinary identity with sustainability principles.
- Reduce Food Waste: Propose actionable solutions for sourcing local ingredients, minimizing waste, and managing resources efficiently.
- Understand Consumer Behavior: Analyze the preferences and motivations of target audiences, including tourists and locals. Establish branding strategies, technological requirements.
- Incorporate Sustainability: Apply environmental, social, and financial considerations in your proposed design by:
- Utilizing decision-making techniques.
- Leveraging data analytics approaches.
- Conducting investment and return-on-investment (ROI) analyses.
Contact
Golshan Madraki, Ph.D.
NextWave Program Director
gmadraki@une.edu
College of Business, 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵ
11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005