High School Students Join Research Expeditions
Seventy-four high school students from a total of 40 states have been awarded scholarships to participate in research expeditions, it was announced this week by Earthwatch Institute. Through the Student Challenge Awards Program, high school students with demonstrated talent in the arts and humanities are given the opportunity to work with scientists in disciplines ranging from astrophysics to microbiology. This unique program, developed by the Maynard, MA-based Earthwatch Institute, is funded by The Durfee Foundation of Santa Monica, CA. The program aims to excite the imagination and expand the potential of arts-gifted students, and to stimulate these students' curiosity about science and technology.
This summer, teams of 6 to 8 award winners will spend up to three weeks on one of ten research projects. The research and other project activities developed by principal investigators expose students to important scientific questions and methodologies. Scientists in this program gain new perspective, help with their data collection, and publishable results. Of his experience working with students on the Mars Data Analysis Project, Dr. Ron Greeley of Arizona State University commented: "The extra hands provided by the students enabled us to complete two lines of experiments, both of which produced new results for applications to Mars. Moreover, the students" questions and comments forced us to view certain aspects of the work that we might have overlooked; students have a way of asking the obvious - but often neglected questions in a refreshing manner.
The Student Challenge Awards Program has broad personal and educational benefits for the awardees. Impacts on the students range from heightened self-confidence and interpersonal effectiveness to enhanced scientific knowledge and interest in science. Most importantly, the program demystifies science and shows arts-gifted students the role of creativity and imagination in scientific as well as artistic endeavors.
The awards cover all travel and field costs. In order to apply for this program, students must be nominated by their high school. Earthwatch received 532 nominations and 289 applications for this year's program.
Earthwatch Institute is an international nonprofit organization which supports scientific field research worldwide by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. The Institute's mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.