The Research Scholar Program for High School Students offers the opportunity for high school teachers and students to perform research on the forefronts of polymer science and technology together with Garcia faculty and staff. Students work as part of focused research teams and are taught to make original contributions of interest to the scientific community. Our goal is to convey to the students the excitement we enjoy daily in research. .
This is an intensive seven week program for gifted high school students which combines formal instruction with independent research and allows students to design original research projects with guidance from Garcia Center faculty, students, and staff. Students can continue during the academic year in the Mentor Program, which allows them to plan a research schedule with a faculty mentor throughout the year. Pre-arranged transportation and class schedules are coordinated with local school boards to enable students from a large geographical area to enroll in the program. Almost three hundred high school students have participated in the mentor program since its inception.
The students have consistently won recognition for their research through national competitions (LISEF, NYCSEF, NYSSEF, ISEF), published in refereed journals, been awarded patents, inducted into the National Young Inventor's Hall of Fame, and been accepted to universities or professional programs of their choice.
- Applicants MUST be at least 16 years old on or before July 4th the summer of the program, no exceptions. All participants in the Garcia Summer Research Program will be involved in real experiments and laboratory activities. University safety policies do not allow a person under 16 years of age to work in the labs.
- Have an unweighted GPA of 95/100 (3.8/4.0)
- Have standardized test scores (SAT/Regents) of at least 60% (or 60th percentile)
- Have taken at least 3 of the following subjects (Honors or AP a plus):
- English
- Chemistry
- Mathematics/Calculus
- Physics
- Biology
Students who show evidence of leadership, special talents or interests, and other personal qualities through extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and other non-academic pursuits will receive special consideration.
We accept international students, but the Garcia program cannot support visa applications. If you already possess documents to be legally present in the US for the period of the program, you are eligible to apply.
