Programs for Juniors and Seniors

Science is an exciting, creative and competitive field.  We are delighted to pass along opportunities for current students.  ​​This page is organized into Internships for current juniors and/or seniors and Scholarships, typically for current seniors.  

Summer Programs

MIT Beaverworks Summer Program - Free, Open to Current Juniors

 MIT has created a hands-on STEM program for high school students called the Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI).  This is a joint venture between MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the MIT School of Engineering in which rising seniors participate in an project-based four-week program on the MIT campus the summer before their senior year (with no tuition cost).  This program culminates in a final challenge day in which teams compete their projects.  Linked below is a pdf of last summer’s Final Challenge program which provides more information about the program.  This year, challenges include projects such as
  • building an autonomous race car,
  • designing radar for a UAV,
  • hacking a computer system,
  • designing a database to track an infectious disease outbreak
This is a fantastic opportunity for high school students.  It is a competitive program in which students begin with online foundational coursework and then apply for the summer program. You will need your physics teacher's support to register for this program, so speak with them soon.  Signups begin in February, and online coursework must be completed by the end of March.
 
More information, including online applications, can be found on the BWSI website here. Check out the informational flier here.

Histogenics Regenerative Medicine Summer Program, Free, Open to Current Juniors

Through the commitment of chief technology officer Mr. Steve Kennedy, Histogenics, a Biotechnology company in Waltham, MA is able to offer a no-cost internship experience for two weeks in August.  Students learn about many important aspects of a cutting edge company including:
  • Replacement of injured tissue with individually cloned replacement cells
  • Clean room technology and procedures
  • Research and development of new therapies
  • ​Navigating the world of regulation to ensure that therapies are safe and effective
  • Financing and management of start-up companies

Three SJP juniors were able to attend last year, and there are again limited spaces available.  Check out their blog from last summer, and contact Mr. Smith if you are interested.  The deadline for submitting an application with Mr. Smith is May 5th.

MIT Battelle Marine Autonomy Lab - Paid Internship for Juniors and Seniors

The MIT Battelle research internship is designed for juniors and seniors interested in programming and robotics, and centers on a capture the flag competition for self-piloting boats.  The internship pays $11 per hour for 8-10 weeks of 30-40 hours per week.   If you have strong proficiency in programming (C++ or Python, etc) take the online proficiency test to see how your skills stack up.
Robotics skills are preferred, but not essential.  If you perform well on the proficiency test, consider submitting a google application. 

The internship is held at MIT's Cambridge campus, and will use the MIT sailing pavilion on the Charles river. You will need to be 16 years of age by June 1st, 2018, and be able to pass the MIT swim test (swim 100 yards, and tread water for 10 minutes.)

All applications must be submitted by March 2, 2018; visit the Autonomy Bay website for more information.

Scholarships

Gettysburg College STEM Concentration - Open to Current Seniors

With help from a generous grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), we are offering a STEM scholarship program for students interested in STEM fields (Biology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics). STEM Scholars will have their full demonstrated financial need met for all four years with no loans, and have the opportunity to:
  • Attend a STEM-focused pre-orientation workshop with other STEM Scholars.
  • Enroll in an exclusive First-Year Seminar taught by STEM faculty.
  • Participate in bi-monthly luncheons with STEM faculty and a variety of learning activities on and off campus.
  • Take advantage of various STEM offerings, including faculty-student research, peer-mentoring, preferential residence in Gettysburg College's Science House, and internship opportunities with industrial partners.
Our deadline for Regular Decision admission (using the Common Application) is January 15, and students should file both the CSS Financial Aid Profile and FAFSA by January 15.
Please visit our website, which also has a link to the application, and feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
We will also be holding a special STEM Scholar focused session during our January Open House. Interested STEM Scholar-eligible students should sign up here rather than using the general registration link on the Gettysburg College website.

Application deadline is January 15th for this program.

Thoreau Scholarship - Open to Current Seniors

The Thoreau Scholarship is a significant cash scholarship available to current seniors wishing to major or minor in the field of environmental science.To apply for the Henry David Thoreau Scholarship you must:
  • reside in Massachusetts and be in your final year at a Massachusetts high school.
  • plan to enroll in college the year that the Thoreau scholarship is awarded.
  • demonstrate strong academic qualifications and a commitment to an environmental field.
If selected as a Thoreau Scholar you must:
  • enroll at an accredited college or university of your choice.
  • carry 25% of your undergraduate coursework in subjects related to the environment (you may choose any major/minor).
  • submit an annual report of your activities in the environmental field, including academic courses.
  • provide an official copy of your transcript at the end of each semester and maintain greater than a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
In addition, Henry David Thoreau Scholars are strongly encouraged to secure and complete an internship in the environmental field, which commonly occurs between their junior and senior year. Scholars may apply to the Selection Committee for an internship stipend.

Deadline for application is February 1st, 2018.  Click here for the online application.