Final Report of 2012 Greater Houston Project Seed Program
The 2012 Project SEED program sponsored by the Greater Houston Local Section (GHS) recruited talented and disadvantaged high school students and placed them in six academic research laboratories. Since reestablishing the program in 2008, GHS has formed relationships with eleven school districts. In 2012, for eight (8) weeks during the summer, twelve (12) high school students from seven (7) school districts served as interns and experienced "hands-on" research under the supervision of six (6) scientists/mentors. Two of the scientists/mentors: Dr. Elmer Ledesma and Dr. Mike Matson are members of the GHS executive board. The scientists/mentors serve as role models and encourage the students to consider careers in science and chemistry.
The GHS treasurer, Lisa Houston administered the stipends while Carolyn Burnley, area coordinator recruited interns and managed the program. The stipends were provided by donations from the Greater Houston local area section (GHS), Shell Oil Company and of course the ACS Project Seed program. This year, the program consisted of six (6) Summer II interns and six (6) Summer I interns. Seven (7) of the interns graduated from high school and will be attending the following colleges: Boston University, Southwest University, Prairie View University, George Washington University, and Houston Community College. One of the 20111 Summer II students could not return to the program this year because of early matriculation at Columbia University. Over the last four years, the interns have chosen chemistry, medicine, math, music production, fashion design, engineering and physics as their college majors.
Since 2008, GHS has sponsored more than 39 students; ninety five percent of these interns have enrolled in college after attending the Project Seed program. This year, GHS offered gas stipends to two of the interns in order to enable transportation for three interns to Prairie View University each week. Prairie View is located forty-five (45) miles away from the inner city. On Friday, August 10, 2012 at the University of St. Thomas, the interns presented posters of their research at a well attended session. Shell’s Science Professional Group provided pizza. Project Seed parents; ACS friends and board members were present including Professor Mamie Moy (UofH), GHS Councilor; Donna Neal, GHS Director, Lisa Houston, GHS Treasurer; and Kerry Spilker, GHS Councilor. Former Project Seed intern Marchelle Roberson shared her intern experience and announced that she would be majoring in Chemistry in the fall semester. This year the program included a guest speaker, Dr. Al Allong (Houston Community College). The 2012 Project Seed mentors and interns are included below:
Project Seed Interns and Mentors
Mentor – Dr. Elmer Ledesma - University of St. Thomas
Cristina Coronado – Yes Prep - North Central – Project Seed 2
Shybrion Tyler – Yes Prep – Southwest – Project Seed 2
Mentor – Dr. O. Miljanic - University of Houston
Kevin Baltazar – Yes Prep - North Central – Project Seed 2
Luis Rodriguez – Yes Prep - North Central – Project Seed 2
Mentors – Dr. A. Oki and Dr. H. Fan – Prairie View University
Kevin Aitch – Cypress Lakes – Project Seed 1
Oshae Cartwright – Regan – Project Seed 1
Jeremy Lore - Waller High School – Project Seed 2
Arnold Rollins – North Shore – Project Seed 1
Mentor - Dr. Michael Matson - University of Houston Downtown
Chelsea Harris - C. E. King – Project Seed 1
Annie La - North Shore – Project Seed 1
Christine Mai – North Shore – Project Seed 1
Mentor – Dr. David Thompson – Sam Houston University
Antonio Carrillo – Huntsville – Project Seed 2
The ACS-Greater Houston Local Section would also like to thank the dedicated team of student members and graduate students at the University of Houston, Prairie View University; University of St. Thomas, Sam Houston University and the University of Houston – Downtown. The primary goal of the Greater Houston Project SEED is to assist in the expansion of the career outlook of economically disadvantaged students. We are definitely exposing the student interns to actual lab experiences that they would not otherwise be able to experience.
For further information, please contact Carolyn Burnley, Project Seed Area coordinator at cburn49@yahoo.com.
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (ACS)
PROJECT SEED 2013
PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR
INTERNS
Eligibility – The student must be recognized as economically disadvantaged. Preference will be given to students whose maximum family income does not exceed 200% of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size (http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty). An economically disadvantaged student applicant who is physically disabled must be considered on the same basis as any other applicant and may not be discriminated against in any way.
Locations : Prairie View University, Sam Houston University and University of Houston
·
A daily commute is required to participate in this intern program, please do not apply if you cannot arrange daily transportation to either location. The coordinator will determine the work location of each student internship.
Only juniors (current 10th graders) and seniors (current 11th or 12th graders) who
have completed or are currently enrolled in a high school Chemistry course are eligible to participate in Project Seed. Each student accepted into the intern program will receive an educational award (stipend).
Stipends and Duration of the Program – Summer I and II interns will receive a competitive stipend determined by the ACS Project SEED Committee. For 2013, the Summer I and II stipends are $2,500 and $3,000, respectively. The area coordinator, Carolyn Burnley will be responsible for recruiting interns and issuing stipends to the interns. The costs of supplies or laboratory materials will not be deducted from intern stipends. Both programs require at least 8 weeks of participation for approximately 40 hours per week. The program period is tentatively set for June 11 – August 6, 2012.
- Intern Pre-requisites – The Summer I intern participant(s) have completed a year of introductory high school chemistry course. The Summer II intern participant(s) has participated in the Summer I program.
- Accident Insurance – The ACS provides accident insurance coverage for Project SEED interns, faculty members or chaperons. The period covered is limited to the 8 week Summer I and II programs each year. The insurance company will administer the plan on an excess basis; paying only eligible bills that remain unpaid after all other coverages have been exhausted. The insurance coverage is not extended beyond the Project SEED summer activity. The activities covered are limited to scheduled, sponsored, and/or supervised activities of Project SEED.
Required Application & Supporting Materials for All Interns:
2013 Project Seed Application LinkClick.aspx
A copy of guardian or student’s 2012 tax return and W2 (s) MUST be submitted with the application. The information will be used to validate the applicant’s eligibility.
A copy of student’s transcript. All non-transcript information has to be verified by teacher/principal/counselor.
The following information is required of all applications for Summer One Interns (New)
The student applicant should describe his/her interests and what the student hopes to get out of a Project SEED experience in an essay of 200 words or less.
A Letter of recommendation/endorsement from student’s chemistry teacher should be submitted.
Transcript/grade information may be sent separately from applicant’s letter and application.
All materials submitted are confidential.
The electronic submission of all documents is preferred.
All Project Seed applications and supporting documentation must be submitted by May 20, 2013 to:
Mrs. Carolyn Burnley
ACS - Project Seed
P.O. Box 2376
Sugarland, Texas 77487 - 2376
For more information, feel free to contact the project coordinator via email – cburn49@yahoo.com