TCU offers research opportunities to high school students

Fort Worth, TX

7/28/2008

The TCU physics department is offering high school students the chance to participate in journal-worthy research projects through its Research Apprentices Program (RAP).

“I was fortunate enough to participate in a similar program when I was an undergraduate,” says Dr. Yuri Strzhemechny, assistant professor of physics and astronomy and director of the program.  “During that time, our collaboration produced a number of publications in scientific journals. The high school students gained experience in conducting research before they entered college.”

The program targets strong achievers who are high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. The synergistic activity benefits its participants on both sides, by creating a direct link between the high school science curricula and research performed at TCU.  Additionally, the program’s creators hope it will create a link with the Fort Worth community, the program participants, as well as their parents and peers, so all may re-discover TCU with its diverse and vibrant environment. 

Another important target audience for the program includes bright students in underprivileged communities.  “Generally, in our lab and our department, we aim to attract a diverse body of participants, paying special attention to groups underrepresented in math and sciences,” says Dr. Strzhemechny. “We hope that their participation in our program will spark some interest in science and in TCU.”

Funding for the program was made possible through a VIA grant and in part by support from the Andrews Institute for Mathematics, Science & Technology Education.

For more information, contact the TCU physics and astronomy department at 817-257-7375.