Scripps Florida Offers Summer Internships to Students and Teachers in Palm Beach County
The Scripps Research Institute has announced that it is accepting applications from secondary school science teachers and high school students for paid summer internships at its Scripps Florida facility in Jupiter.
Two teachers and three juniors or seniors from schools in the Palm Beach County School District will be selected on a competitive basis to work alongside world-class scientists and their staffs at the Scripps facility on the Florida Atlantic University MacArthur Campus in Jupiter. Selected interns will work full-time for seven weeks beginning in early June. These programs, based on similar activities at Scripps Research’s La Jolla, California, headquarters, are expected to grow in scope and participation in the coming years.
“These internships mark the first formal manifestation of our educational outreach initiatives for Florida,” says Harry Orf, vice president of scientific operations at Scripps Florida. Orf notes that as the research facility grows, the Scripps Florida staff plan to extend their outreach to not only increase the number of internships for students and teachers, but also to broaden outreach venues. “We are currently looking to bring basic 'introduction to science' lessons to middle school students and are discussing several options for a biotech educational initiative for high school students with the County's science coordinator as well as educational faculty from neighboring universities,” Orf reports.
“We hope this is the beginning of a long relationship,” says Fred Barch, science coordinator for the Palm Beach County School District. “The Scripps scientists have been extremely helpful in explaining the Scripps mission to our science teachers. The summer programs have generated enthusiasm and interest among our teachers and students who are excited about the possibility of working with some of the best scientists in the world. This interest in biotech will enhance our science program in Palm Beach County.”
Both Florida programs for the coming summer aim to provide a hands-on laboratory experience, with teachers and students conducting research in a laboratory under the supervision of a Scripps Florida scientist. Interns will be exposed to current laboratory techniques and procedures, and will be provided information on a variety of contemporary issues in basic biomedical research. The programs emphasize the scientific process, research planning, bench experience, experimental design, data analysis and interaction with laboratory personnel. As an adjunct to their day-to-day responsibilities, participants will attend specially designed programs and field trips.
The Summer Research Internship Program for Teachers will also give high school educators the opportunity to create ties and linkages to working scientists who can assist them in curriculum development. Teachers are expected to use the laboratory experience as a springboard to create opportunities in discovery-based learning for their students, effect change in their classrooms, and serve as a resource for other educators. They must demonstrate their willingness to pursue year-round follow-up activities based on the summer experience.
The Scripps Florida High School Summer Internship Program aims to inspire students in their current and future educational pursuits by exposing them to leading-edge research. In addition, it is committed to motivating students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences to pursue undergraduate and graduate programs in the biological and chemical disciplines.
The deadline for applications and support material for both programs is April 8, 2005. For information on both programs, including eligibility requirements, compensation, and online applications, please go to: http://www.scripps.edu/community/#florida.
Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu
“We hope this is the beginning of a long relationship.”
— Fred Barch, science coordinator, Palm Beach County School District
