Host a summer high school researcher for up to 8 weeks each summer
Students who have completed 10th or 11th grade become an integral part of the ongoing research project in your lab for up to eight weeks. They work side-by-side with your laboratory team and learn what scientific research is really all about, including practical research knowledge, lab skills, and scientific communication.
Whenever possible, student researchers should attend lectures on current topics, attend seminars/workshops in research and technical writing, ethics, and career exploration, and gain skills in effective oral presentations. Completing the experience, students produce a poster, presentation or written document for their personal portfolio.
The YNS website promotes YNS summer research experiences, with online access to recruiting and applications. Nebraska EPSCoR promotes the program to local school districts.
Budget
Students are paid minimum wage. Nebraska's current minimum wage rate is $9/hour. This program runs for 8 weeks throughout the course of the summer, with students working 35-40 hours per week. Total budgeted amount should be between $2500 and $2900 depending on the number of hours worked.
Selections
YNS will provide applications for faculty review, if requested, for student selection purposes. Faculty may wish to also conduct interviews.
Recruiting
Provide the YNS program with a description of your potential research project for recruitment purposes.
Hiring
Host departments complete new hire paperwork and ensure appropriate training and mentoring of student.
Applications
YNS recruits highly qualified high school students through a two-part application process and teacher recommendation.
Supervision
Students must work under the supervision of a graduate student or postdoc and must work normal business hours whenever possible.
Design a summer camp to inspire middle or high school students in STEM
Summer science camps introduce students to exciting science and engineering concepts through hands-on experiences inside and outside of the lab. Middle school camps are for current 6th and 8th graders and high school camps are for current 9th through 12th graders.
YNS campers experience STEM activities in an intense and fun environment, and receive the kind of personal attention and discovery based learning difficult to provide in today's classroom. Participants complete varied activities aimed at increasing their mastery of science concepts and interest in science.
YNS provides a broad range of assistance to host faculty, including planning/facilitation and recruitment of teachers and counselors. The YNS website promotes camps and allows online access to recruiting and applications. Nebraska EPSCoR advertises the program to school districts state-wide.
YNS will help you plan a budget for your camp based on your campus' housing and dining rates and schedule and the desired number of campers.
YNS recruits students through an application process.
Planning
YNS provides assistance with curriculum planning, schedules, campus reservations, and camp staffing (teacher assistants and dorm counselors).
Evaluation
YNS campers complete daily assessments and long-term impact surveys. Results are provided for reporting purposes and camp improvements.
Provide the YNS program with a description of your summer camp for advertising and recruitment purposes.
Camp Administration
Camps are managed by the NE EPSCoR Outreach Coordinator. YNS develops and collects all camp information packets and required paperwork specific to your camp.