Boston Leadership Institute: STEM Summer Programs

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Reviews (4)

• Forensic Pathology, Simmons College Campus: Academics, Campus Life, and Leisure

  

  Reviewed on Sep/06/2016 by Marc Calza

  There are really three components to this program, like many other away-from-home summer programs: academics, campus and dormitories, and leisure. Then, my final thoughts.

  Academics: I had Rich Fox for forensic pathology for three weeks, and the takeaway as a student is "Wow". There were roughly a dozen in our class, so if there were any issues or suggestions as to the direction of the course (which projects the students thought interesting, particularly), you would not go unheard. Mr. Fox very much knows how to utilize his time and marshal his resources appropriately as we examined live (and dead) insects; cast our own dental, shoe, and finger impressions; and watched Forensic Files with notes pertinent to the forensics topic of the day (and much, much more). With his connections he accessed us to the Boston Police Headquarters through its ballistics, fingerprinting, and DNA labs, as well as the Harvard Museums' art forensics labs--both very enlightening experiences. He, in other words, was never without the sort of passions and commitments of a true teacher.

  Campus and dormitories: I'm not one to complain much, but in the dog-days of summer where 90-to-100-degree heat is not atypical, air conditioning in Simmons Hall was absent. Though it was unfortunate that (to my knowledge) it was the only hall not to have AC, it was met at some displeasure that the hallways themselves were hotter that the beautiful and gated (safe) campus grounds. The cafeteria food is average, but board and card games, a BBQ, a gym and swimming pool, and ice-breakers made dorming there at times much easier.

  Leisure: There is ample and mostly non-mandatory (though highly recommended!) activities on the afternoons and weekends. Trips to the neighborhoods (accessible by the T (subway) or bus) such as Chinatown, the North and South Ends, and Fenway-Kenmore's Fenway Park, and to museums such as the Isabella Stewart Gardner and the Museum of Fine Arts, quite within walking distance. North up the College's adjacent Brookline Avenue are a multitude of restaurants, a Target, a movie theater, and the nearby train/subway station. All events are scheduled by personable counselors (given enough people) and are reasonable and caring with and for the students.

  Final thoughts: BLI, like many other STEM summer programs, is what you make of it. If you don't do any work in the day, stay in the cafeteria in the afternoons, and rest at an early bedtime without exposure to the Bostonian culture, then it's largely not the program's fault for your displeasure. But, for many of us including myself: if you find adequate interest and invest the needed time in your STEM projects, explore the local shops and stores with friends in the afternoons, and immerse yourself in the activities provided amply by the counselors in the evenings, then Boston Leadership Institute will certainly be met, as it largely has been, with high regards.

• Chemistry Research

  

  Reviewed on Dec/28/2015 by Ivy League Deferral

  As a relatively high-achieving student in my junior year of high school, I decided it would be best for me to spend my summer enriching my knowledge base in order to perform, as a true intellectual, better. What other place for me but Boston Leadership Institute? Dana Hall, set on a campus that is right by a campus that is home to one of America's top colleges (for women), boasts what one could expect from a prestigious, all-girls boarding school: fully-stocked high school labs with a chemical storage room set squarely in between a small auditorium and a lecture hall (both used for summer children's plays and all unlocked), paths, and grass. Endless opportunity for all who desire awaits the attendees of BLI and my personal experiences here lead me to advise you not to defer your decision to apply any longer.

• Biological research is amazing

  

  Reviewed on Dec/28/2015 by Fausto Capelluto

  BLI is a beyond this world experience. I did the Biological Research program and lived in the dorms. Dana hall a beautiful campus to stay in, with numerous activities such as tennis, soccer, lacrosse and an Olympic pool. The program itself is a a very valuable learning experience. How it worked was that we would have fascinating lectures on recent biotechnology innovations in the morning and we would do lab work during the afternoon. The lab work is great because it gives you real experience on lab procedures such as gel electrophoresis which is equivalent to gold when looking for internships or work in the field. The most interesting part however, was the research projects. We got the opportunity to think up our own GMOs based on facts. Throughout the three weeks you can work on the project with extremely supportive and enthusiastic staff, who answer all your questions and even inspire you to reach further. Overall, the program is awesome and worth every penny. I also made a lot of friends there that I still stay in touch with today, so I have quite a collection of wonderful memories.

• The Boston Leadership Institute is...

  

  Reviewed on Jun/25/2014 by preetham

  The Boston Leadership Institute is a great program, and it gave me a new perspective with what I want to do as a major for college. I learned a lot of new information, and techniques which will help me in the future. The teachers are great, and people are friendly. By going to The Boston Leadership Institute program, you can meet people from all over, America, the world. My time at BLI was great, and I recommend it to anybody who is interested in STEM.