DATE: 7/2/07

CONTACT: Cora Allard, (864) 656-0721; callara@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741; spalmer@clemson.edu

Talented high school students doing research at Clemson

CLEMSON – Most students look forward to summer away from school to enjoy some free time or to work a part-time job. Thirty-one high school students and two honorary student interns are doing something different at Clemson University -- participating in a summer research program.

The six-week program is designed to motivate academically talented rising high school seniors in public and private schools in South Carolina to pursue careers in science, mathematics or technology. Each student is paired with one faculty mentor to conduct original research projects.

They are working on projects in the areas of biological sciences; entomology, soils and plant sciences; genetics and biochemistry; chemistry; physics; and engineering.

Twenty-three of the students are from the S.C. Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics and eight are from high schools around the state.

Twenty-five Clemson faculty members volunteered to work with the students.

At the end of the program, the students will present their findings in a poster session July 20 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Hendrix Ballroom. The public is welcome to attend. The students will also submit a formal abstract and present their work at the annual S. C. Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Research Colloquium in February of next year and the S.C. Junior Academy of Sciences annual meeting March 20 of next year held at Clemson University.

A $5.4 million award from Howard Hughes Medical Institute allows SC Life to sponsor the program. SC Life supports life sciences education for middle and high school students and teachers.

For more information, contact Cora Allard at (864) 656-0721 or callara@clemson.edu.

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