Robert L. Harris Jr., center, associate professor of Africana studies and program co-coodinator of SHARP Plus at Cornell, talks with Candice Reynolds, left, and Shalnetta Stokes, both from Detroit, at an opening reception for the program on June 16 at the Robert Purcell Community Center. The program runs through Aug. 8. Charles Harrington/University Photography
This summer, 20 high school students are spending eight weeks (June 15-Aug. 8) at Cornell working closely with faculty mentors engaged in cutting-edge science or engineering-related research.
The program, sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Quality Education for Minorities Network (QEM), selects 338 high school students from a pool of 1,300 applicants to spend their summers at one of 16 host universities. The 338 apprentices (215 females, 123 males) represent 193 high schools and come from 29 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and a U.S. military base in Germany.
The Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program (now called SHARP Plus) was created to help increase the participation and success rates of talented students who are underrepresented in challenging mathematics and science courses at the precollege level and to strengthen, diversify and increase the pool of future mathematics, science and engineering college majors and professionals.
"Students are afforded the opportunity to work alongside professional researchers to gain hands-on and real-world experience. These students experience research first-hand and, in many cases, establish long-lasting mentor/student relationships with the researchers," said Deborah Glasco, program development manager of NASA's education division in its human resources and education office. Each apprentice not only spends a substantial amount of time working with his or her mentor but is expected to write a final report and give an oral presentation on a research project at the end of the program.
The students' academic activities include computer seminars led by resident and program assistant David Linhart '99, probability and statistics seminars taught by resident and program assistant Tami Tiam-Fook '00, and research-related math seminars led by resident hall director Caesar Irby, M.Ed '97. In addition, students participate in a variety of enrichment activities and receive information on math, science and engineering careers, college admissions requirements and potential sources of financial support for college. Upon returning to high school in the fall, each apprentice is expected to participate in a science-oriented community service project of his or her choice for the academic year.
Although the program is in its fifth year, this is the first year Cornell has participated as a host university. At a reception on June 16 at the Robert Purcell Community Center, students met with faculty mentors and the program's administrators.
"These students are exceptionally sharp and very articulate," said Raymond Dalton, Cornell executive director of minority educational affairs and the program's facilitator on campus. "The program's going to be intensive, but they seem well prepared."
Indeed, this year's participants had to meet a long list of criteria to be considered for the program, and all of them, Dalton said, have done well academically, particularly in the sciences, and have been actively involved in science-related activities at their high schools.
"I'm very excited to be here, but I think my mom's even more excited than I am because she never had an opportunity like this," said Noelia Martinez of Caguas, Puerto Rico, who is working with Charles Green, associate professor of geological sciences and director of the Ocean Resources and Ecosystems Program. "I'm going to be learning the basics of oceanography as well as how to read maps and collect data," Martinez added. She said she plans on applying to Cornell for her undergraduate studies and sees herself pursuing a career in oceanography.
Although the students spend Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the laboratory, do homework and attend tutorials between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., and on Fridays are engaged in math and computer seminars and laboratories, the program includes numerous other experiences, such as a day trip to Washington, D.C. There, in the nation's capital, students will visit the Air and Space Museum and other Smithsonian museums, the Goddard Space Center and the NASA program at Langley.
Kimberley White, a SHARP Plus alumna, said one of the effects of the program was the improvement of her study habits. She also pointed out the necessity of experience in today's world.
"The SHARP Plus program lets people know that the participants are bright and experienced because of the program's requirements and high expectations," she said.