HHMI/NIH/MCPS Student Internship Program

application due: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute

National Institutes of Health

Montgomery County Public Schools

The Student Teacher Internship Program (STIP) is one of the largest pre-college science education grants sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The grant to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Maryland, encourages educational advancement in science by placing highly motivated high school students and middle and high school teachers in research laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). At NIH the student and teacher interns conduct hands-on scientific research under the direction of experienced mentors. The program piloted in 1990 with nine high school students and three high school teachers. Nearly two decades later, it has grown to 29 students and 10 teachers. After attending an intensive one-week biomedical technology course, the teachers and students enter the laboratory. In STIPs present form, the teacher internship extends through the summer, while the students work in the labs full-time during the summer and part-time for the school year.

The program provides highly able high school students with experience in scientific research, so that they may consider it as a career even before college. A student who was part of the first cohort during her junior year said that the internship “exposed me to potential careers beyond college.” Before the program she had never contemplated entering the field of medical research, nor envisioned earning a M.D. / Ph.D. Another intern, who had been frustrated with his experience in high school, felt that the internship had altered the direction in which his life was heading. He pursued a career in neuroscience. Preliminary results from our student alumni survey indicate that 73% of the students returned to NIH to work in the lab after their participation in STIP ended, and 64% had published their research. Eighty-six percent felt that the internship shaped their career choice and 86% are currently employed in a science-related field.

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute/National Institutes of Health/Montgomery County Public Schools (HHMI/NIH/MCPS) Student Intern Program (STIP) is funded by a grant from the HHMI. This year-long educational experience is open to MCPS high school students and is managed by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

A student internship at the NIH is a demanding and extremely rewarding experience that will be offered to up to 20 MCPS juniors and/or seniors who best meet the following criteria:

Selection Criteria for Students:

· Grade point average of 3.0 or higher

· Demonstrate significant interest in exploring a career in biomedical research

· Completed Algebra 2, Biology, and Chemistry, or are taking Algebra 2 and Chemistry concurrently

· Excellent attendance record

· Produce assignments of high quality in a timely manner

· 16th birthday on or before July 1 of the internship year

· U.S. citizen or hold a valid Green Card

The intern experience will begin on the Monday after the school year ends, with a one-week course in biotechnology. After the week of training, student interns will enter their NIH laboratories to begin seven weeks of full-time research. An honorarium of $1,600 will be paid to the students in two installments for the eight weeks. Students who successfully complete the summer program will continue their internship during the academic year and earn two honors credits per semester, earning 4 advanced level (honors) credits for the total intern experience. Students who do not complete the summer program may not continue in the following academic year and will not earn any credit. The STIP is a twelve-month commitment. Shortly after school begins in September, student interns will start working in their laboratories 15-20 hours per week on their own research projects.

During the academic year, student interns should enroll in a maximum of four classes at their home schools. The remainder of the day is reserved for their laboratory work at NIH. Student interns will not be able to participate in regularly scheduled after-school activities, such as sports or band.

Worksheet-applications to be chosen as one of Wootton’s four nominees are due to Mrs. Adler by MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9.

Each high school may submit only four applications, with the final decision being made by the principal. The four recommended nominees will be selected by the Science Resource Teacher and a committee of WHS science teachers

Online applications will be submitted after the student has been selected as one of the four nominees. The online applications will be prepared with Mrs. Adler’s assistance during the week of November 16 in time for final submission.

Questions:

Lesli Adler, Director MCPS DNA Resource Center (Lesli_A_Adler@mcpsmd.org

Jacqueline Alton, WHS Science Resource Teacher (Jacqueline_R-Alton@mcpsmd.org

Anita O’Neill, MCPS Science Coordinator (Anita_R_O’Neill@mcpsmd.org

To be considered for nomination, you must SUBMIT A COMPLETE “worksheet- application” to Mrs. Adler by MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Application Procedure:

Read carefully and follow directions

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS VERSION of the WORKSHEET --- NOT THE MCPS WEB SITE VERSION

FORMAT THE FOLLOWING AS PAGES & PRINT

The Application Package Includes:

Application-Worksheet: Complete the attached worksheet and submit it to Mrs. Adler by MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9.

Teacher Recommendation: You will need signatures from two teachers (one a science teacher) stating that they are willing to write a complete recommendation for you. There is a space for this on the worksheet. You will need their email addresses because they will be contacted by email to provide your recommendations. It is crucial that you obtain the correct email addresses and they are printed very clearly.

Personal Essay: The application requires a one-page essay on How an NIH Internship Will Support My Interest in a Career in Biomedical Science. We recommend that you compose this essay using word processing software (such as Microsoft Word). Attach a printed copy with the completed worksheet-application. If you are selected as a nominee, you can then paste the essay into the appropriate section of the final application.

Resume (List of Science, Math or Computer Related activities): You can find information about how to write resumes on the Science Internship web site.

Unoffical Transcript: You can obtain one from your counselor.

if nominated: The four selected nominees will receive a password from Mrs. Adler who will then assist you in completing the on-line, final application.