Eighteen students from 15 different high schools in Kansas gathered with science professors, administrators, and parents at a recent luncheon to celebrate the students’ completion of the Newman University Investigative Summer Science Program (ISSP). The program, now in its 23rd year, is designed to give students a taste of college-level research and explore the benefits of careers in the sciences.
Newman University, the Fred C. & Mary R. Koch Foundation, and the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita sponsored this year’s program.
The Newman ISSP is directed by Newman Professor of Biology Surendra Singh, Ph.D., who created the program in response to a national concern about the diminishing number of young people pursuing careers in the sciences. Using a hands-on approach and drawing from the support of Newman science professors and Wichita area science professionals, the program is designed to offer students a look at the real world of scientific research.
Students choose a research topic from a provided list upon entering the program. They then follow established research methods: performing a literature search; conducting experiments; analyzing data; drawing conclusions, and presenting findings in a written paper. The students are also encouraged to enter their papers at the annual meeting of the Kansas Junior Academy of Science.
Students receive room and board and two hours of Newman college credit for completing the program.
Sophomore, junior and senior high school students with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and one completed high school science course are selected for the ISSP through an application process, which considers their high school transcript, a letter of recommendation, and a 200-word essay explaining their career goals and why they should be admitted to the ISSP.
This year’s program drew students from seven Wichita high schools, as well as Andale, Andover, Chapman, Haysville, Kansas City, and Maize high schools.
For more information about the ISSP program, contact Singh at 316-942-4291, ext. 2117, or via e-mail at [email protected].
The 2012 ISSP participants are listed by hometown below.
Andale, Kan.:
Joshua Baalmann (Andale H.S.)
Jordan Seiler (Andale H.S.)
Andover, Kan.:
Keri Ladigo (Andover Central H.S.)
Chapman, Kan.:
Stone Hayden (Chapman H.S.)
Colwich, Kan.:
Danielle Neville (Andale H.S.)
Kansas City, Kan.:
Kennedy Hernandez (Bishop Ward H.S.)
Wichita, Kan.:
Colin Adams (Maize South H.S.)
Clayton Bartholomew (Northwest H.S.)
Shiv Dalla (Wichita Collegiate School)
Rachel Dresselhaus (Kapaun Mt. Carmel H.S.)
Trevor Elwell-Cuddy (Trinity Academy)
Umar Hydrie (East H.S.)
Jeremy Marshall (St. Michael’s Catholic Homeschool)
Vishnu Nagireddy (The Independent School)
Brandon Nece (Kapaun Mt. Carmel H.S.)
Santana Perez (West H.S.)
Jared Spencer (Maize H.S.)
Brett Werth (Campus H.S.)
