The Research Mentorship program is a hands-on program for highly motivated high school students interested in participating in the conduct of academic research in the social, life or physical sciences. Here's how it works. You will enroll in the two UCSB interdisciplinary courses described on the next page (which provide the academic credit for the program). During the first week, about twenty potential projects will be presented to the whole class by UCSB researchers. From these, you will nominate five preferred projects. One of the researchers you nominated will be assigned as your research mentor; he or she will act as your faculty advisor as you work on a group or individual research project for the rest of the program. You will work in the lab, library and/or in the field, and be guided in research techniques, learning how to collect and analyze data, how to write a research paper and how to present your findings in a research symposium.
In addition, there are many other activities associated with the Research Mentorship Program. These change from year to year, and may include field trips to the Channel Islands just off the coast of Santa Barbara and/or trips to various research, aquaculture, medical and technological facilities in Santa Barbara and the surrounding areas. Other activities include special lectures on a variety of pertinent social and scientific topics (these are open events so friends may be invited). During Friday afternoon class meetings, students will share information about progress in their research, expanding everyone's scientific horizons. When the time and tide are right, students may participate in a field trip to a nearby beach to see the nighttime grunion runs and join searches for bioluminescent organisms. By the end of the program, students will have completed a research paper, and during the final week each research group will present their findings at a scientific symposium which will be open to the public.
Many program alumni keep in touch with their mentor and co-researchers by e-mail. The popularity of this program has grown dramatically since it began in 1995, so apply early!
For additional information contact UCSB Summer Sessions Pre-College Programs
PHONE: 805-893-2377 FAX: 895-893-7306