TREES

Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES)

Program Description

In 2007, the Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology began a community outreach and education program for high school students. The Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES) program is a unique summer research and mentorship program offering hands-on environmental research opportunities to motivated high school students. Each summer, approximately six high school students work one-on-one with mentors on projects that they choose and design.

During the first week of the program, students attend mini-courses on environmental science. In the first two weeks they also receive hands-on instruction in basic laboratory skills that they will use later in their projects. From working on their projects, they learn a multi-faceted approach towards a problem by conducting in-depth library research, training in scientific methodology, carrying out hands-on bench science and where, possible, field work. Additionally, several projects are carried out as team projects involving multiple students. At the end of the program, students write a research report and present their projects with posters and a PowerPoint presentation. After the program, students are encouraged to present their science projects in their schools and enter them in science competitions. Past researchers from the lab have won awards and scholarships at their schools and also in local, state, regional and national science competitions for their work.

In addition, experts give seminars on Cutting-Edge topics including environmental health and toxicology. Once a week the students take a field trip to a site of environmental interest. Other activities include workshops on college admissions, science and engineering career exploration, and writing and presentation skills. In addition, participants participate in a variety of social and cultural activities, including viewing and discussing environmentally-themed movies.

Further details of the program are as follows:

Tuition-free rigorous five-week research program, from July 6 to July 31, 2009 (Students will be responsible for transportation, lunches, and project supplies)
Open to high school students with at least 3.0 GPA and one year of study
Opportunity to explore various careers in science, medicine, and engineering
Parental consent required
Candidates from under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply

Students will also have the opportunity to:

Develop special research projects based on their own ideas
Work together with a diverse group of researchers from high school, college and professional schools
Be mentored by professional scientists, students and faculty from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Learn and apply the process of scientific research
Communicate their science findings in presentations and written reports
Learn from experts in many fields of environmental science, such as epidemiology, toxicology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and education

Typical daily schedule for the first two weeks:

9:00 am - 10 am Classroom

10 am - 12:00 pm Structured laboratory exercise

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Independent library research

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Group Projects, lab maintenance

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Wrap up, next day planning

The Friday schedule will be modified based on scheduled field trips. Special Cutting-Edge seminars followed by a discussion take place on Tuesday mornings.

After the first two weeks, structured laboratory exercises and library research will be replaced by independent research on individual projects.

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