The first students in a University of Southern Maine honors program for science, technology, education and math are getting acquainted with their new school and each other this week.

Eight students are in the inaugural class of the Pioneers Program, which university officials say is the first honors program of its kind in Maine.

The students receive full-tuition scholarships for four years, paid internships and a notebook computer. They will work with faculty on research projects that will begin this fall and have the chance to work in industry internships. They’ll live together in a designated wing in a dormitory, where they will be joined by future Pioneers.

It’s all part of an effort to prepare young Mainers to contribute to the innovation economy in the state.

“Competition for students of this caliber is keen among institutions across the country,” USM President Selma Botman said in a statement. “This program is an important step toward helping to keep our best and brightest students here in Maine where they can help drive the economy of the 21st century.”

As part of a special orientation program last week, the student received an overview of the power and control lab and biomaterials lab at the Mitchell Center at the Gorham campus. They worked with National Guardsmen on a ropes course in a team-building exercise and took a trip to the planetarium and a reception with their families and Botman.

Michael Wing, director of the Pioneer Program, said there will be continued opportunities during their USM years for them to come together, bond and create chances for cross-disciplinary learning.

Forty-eight students from Maine applied for admission to the inaugural Pioneers class. The eight students in the class are:

Dustin A. Denbow, a graduate of Caribou High School who plans to major in biology and become a physician;

Patrick Doherty, a graduate of Biddeford High School who plans to major in biochemistry and pursue doctoral studies in mathematics;

Raisa S. Luck, a graduate of Gorham High School who plans to double major in fine arts and either biology or engineering;

Cody Poland of Cushing, a graduate of Georges Valley High School who plans to major in electrical/computer engineering;

Collin Sage of Limerick, a graduate of Massabesic High School who plans to major in computer science;

Nathan J. Thurlow of Hampden, a graduate of Hampden Academy who plans to major in mechanical engineering;

Ryan Turner of Winslow, a graduate of Winslow High School who plans to majoring in electrical engineering; and

Deedra Zeeh of Waterboro, a graduate of Massabesic High School who plans to major in physics.