Applications are now open for the Broad Institute’s Summer Scholars Program for highly motivated, rising high-school seniors in the greater Boston area who have a strong interest in science. BSSP is planning for an in-person program next summer but may need to shift to a virtual program. In any case, students are matched with Broad scientists for six weeks (June 27-August 5) conducting original research and will have opportunities to explore careers in science, attend a college fair, present their work to Broad scientists in a poster session, and participate in social events. There’s no cost to apply or attend, and there is a stipend and partial reimbursement of travel costs. Excitement for science is required, but no previous experience is needed. Students from communities or situations underrepresented in STEM are particularly encouraged to apply. Apply by January 21. For more information, see this FAQ page or email bssp@broadinstitute.org.
All posts by newtonstem
Empow Studios: $100 Discount for Summer Camps, Ends Dec. 12
Empow Studios is offering early-bird discounts through December 12 for its in-person summer camps in Boston, Cambridge, Lexington, Milton, Natick, Newton, and North Andover. Use code CAMP100 for $100 off, and another $40 off per week for weeks 2 through 6. Refunds (minus $10 registration fee) are available until 14 days before camp begins.
Harvard Holiday Lecture, Online: A Festival About Fluids, Dec. 11
Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences will again hold its Holiday Lecture virtually this year, on December 11 at 1PM. This year’s topic is Go With the Flow: A Festival About Fluids. Before the webinar, please register here and also visit this page to submit photos and words to be combined into a word cloud about fluids. That page will also soon have lists of household materials to gather for use in demonstrations during the webinar, as well as experiments you can do at home.
Newton Free Library: Little Lab Coats — Landforms, Ages 6-9, Dec. 14
The Newton Free Library will host a session of Little Lab Coats to explore Landforms on Tuesday, December 14, 6PM-7PM, for ages 6-9. The topic includes mountains, canyons, glaciers, waterfalls, plateaus, plains, valleys, islands, and more. Registration is required and opens at 8:30AM on December 6. Space is limited. A Zoom link will be sent to registered participants the day before the program.
MassBay Virtual STEM Expo, Dec. 13-17; STEM Stories Webinar, Dec. 15
MassBay Community College in Wellesley will offer these free online STEM events this month:
- Virtual STEM Expo: MassBay’s twice-yearly celebration of students’ STEM projects, December 13-17. There’s no need to register. You can access the STEM Expo online here during those days.
- STEM Stories: A free, online session on December 15 at 11AM for STEM faculty, staff, students, graduates, and industry professionals to learn about MassBay’s STEM resources and career options. Register here.
FSU Christa McAuliffe Center: Virtual Mission Simulations for December Break (Family Events)
The Christa McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University will host these “virtual mission simulations” as family events during the December school break. The cost is $10 per individual or $15 per team of two on one device. Register here.
- Destination Moon: Individuals ages 10+ (under 10 years with an adult). December 27 at 10AM, December 28 at 11AM
- Mars Sample Return: Individuals ages 13+ (under 13 years with an adult). December 27 at 3:30PM, December 28 at 3PM
- Exoplanets: December 29 at 7PM
Grades 11-12: Apply for Spring or Summer Tufts Research Experience
Tufts University is offering its Tufts Research Experience program virtually for high-school juniors and seniors with prior research experience to work online with Tufts researchers and their teams. Applications are open for the Spring 2022 semester (January 19 – May 2). An academic transcript, letter of recommendation, parental permission, and a personal statement are all due by January 4, and students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Applications are also open for the Tufts Summer Research Experience (July 5 – August 12) and are due by May 1.
The LEAH Project — This STEM Diversity Program Deserves Your Support
The LEAH Project has proven successful in empowering Boston-area youth — low-income, of color, and/or first generation college — to diversify STEM fields and succeed in them. Guided by its parent organization, Health Resources in Action, the LEAH Project offers paid STEM internships, college and career readiness programs, and leadership opportunities to build confidence and provide skills and connections that youth need to thrive. Join NewtonSTEM in supporting the LEAH Project with your donation of any amount.
As one LEAH Youth Leader says,
“LEAH has made me feel strong and capable enough to pursue my dreams in medicine. If it wasn’t for their rigorous Biomedical Research internship, I wouldn’t have thought I was capable of learning biomedical research. Because of LEAH’s guidance and support during online learning, I was able to learn and perform DNA extraction and other molecular biology experiments. The LEAH staff also provided a space for me to meet other youth who share similar interests, whom I am able to laugh and learn with. Most importantly, I grew academically and socially because I was challenged by my teaching assistants in the summer and feel ready enough to teach younger youth and challenge them to learn as much as possible. LEAH has been a wonderful and eye-opening opportunity for me.”
Newton South HS Math Team Excels in Second GBML Meet
The Newton South HS Math Team excelled in its second meet in the Greater Boston Math League on November 12. Three team members — Vivek Vallurupalli, Ethan Pang, and Elena Baskakova — had perfect scores, and a few other students had almost perfect scores. Both the Sines and the Cosines earned perfect scores in the Team Round. The third GBML meet will be December 8-9.
Science Club for Girls Seeks Donations to Expand STEM Success in Underrepresented Communities
Science Club for Girls is a non-profit that does a terrific job fostering excitement, confidence, and literacy in STEM for girls and young women from underrepresented communities in the Boston metro area. This fall, SCFG has expanded by 40% to reach 350 youth with 83 mentors in its Science Clubs — four in-person clubs and 30 virtual. There are still 230 girls on its waiting list, and SCFG aims to raise $50,000 by December 31 to extend its reach to meet this need. Join NewtonSTEM in supporting SCFG with your donation of any amount. We’re aiming to raise $500 — 1% of SCFG’s goal.