energy and finance Curriculum

Students work in teams and individually throughout the program to complete a number of projects oriented in energy / finance and current events, as well as related to the college application process. Past projects have included topics such as global commodities markets, energy transition, geopolitics and foreign affairs, and a simulated stock market investment challenge.

Interest in a career in energy / finance is not required. Scholars have gone on to study everything from computer science to physics, engineering, economics, business, kinesiology, and more. Atlas Scholars prepares you for success in any career.

COLLEGE PREPARATION

Scholars spend a portion of their second summer (between junior and senior year of high school) preparing for college applications. This includes essay-writing, test prep, and narrowing down college lists.

Scholars also utilize the Atlas Scholars alumni network, with alumni always available to help mentor Scholars through the process.

College acceptances include top schools all across America, including Harvard, Yale, MIT, UPenn, UChicago, Columbia, Cornell, Emory, Carnegie Mellon, Caltech, Vanderbilt, Rice, NYU, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Wellesley, Swarthmore, Howard, Carleton, University of Virginia, University of Michigan, UT Austin, and Georgia Tech.

Speaker Series

The speaker series provides our students with real-world context and exposure to some of the most accomplished professionals in a wide range of industries throughout the business world and public sector.

Past guest speakers have included leaders from across business, entrepreneurship, politics, technology, nonprofits, education, and more, including from institutions like Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, NRG, Evercore, EDF, Vitol, JP Morgan, ERCOT, CyrusOne, and The City of Houston.

FIELD trips

Students are exposed to real-world environments across all sectors and fields to provide context and experience.

Some of our trips have included:

Houston Mayor's Office
WebberVille Solar Farm
CyrusOne Data Center
EDF Trading Floor
Vitol Trading Floor
NRG Cedar Bayou Power Plant
ERCOT Control Room
City of Houston Greentech Tour
Bank of America Trading Floor
Rice University
The University of Texas at Austin
University of Houston

Mentorship

Atlas Scholars students are assigned individual mentors tasked with guiding the students through school, SAT prep, and overall personal and professional growth. Scholars in the older classes and the broader alumni network also help mentor younger interns.

Scholars sets goals and have regular meetings with program leadership to discuss progress and performance during the summer and throughout the school year.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Based on performance and level of improvement, Scholars are awarded college scholarships upon completion of the three-year program.

Since inception, Atlas Scholars has awarded over $600,000 in scholarships.

Atlas Scholars is able to operate because of its generous donors. If you would like to contribute, please check out this page.