Program Outline

Hofstra University offers opportunities for selected research-oriented high school students to work with our science faculty during the summer in an on-campus research program. The program is competitive and students must submit a completed application and letter of recommendation from a science teacher by Friday, April 4, 2008. Applications are available online. Students will be selected for this program on the basis of their high school science experience, a personal interview and, above all, the high school teacher's recommendation.

On acceptance, students will be assigned to a specific faculty member based on the student's preference, faculty availability, and the student's laboratory experience. On Monday, July 7, 2008, all students must attend a one-hour orientation and laboratory safety session.

Students will work with their assigned research mentors, either in the laboratory or in the field, Monday through Thursday (they may be supervised by others on some of these days). On Fridays, students will either be engaged in literature research, writing a scientific paper on their research project, or continuing their laboratory activities at the discretion of their mentor.

One day each week, all of the program participants will gather for a science-enrichment session during the lunch hour. A buffet-style lunch will be provided at these meetings. Activities will include lectures by faculty or guest speakers and informal discussions on research activities by students and their mentors.

A written scientific research paper must be submitted at the end of the session. Students are also expected to present posters of their research activity at the September reception (see below). The intent of the papers and posters is (1) to help the students understand the broader scope of their research, (2) to give the students experience writing scientific papers, and (3) to give students the opportunity to present their research to a larger audience. While some students may wish to enter their project into a science competition, that decision is between the student, their science teacher, and their mentor.