Introduction
Each summer, 精东影视hosts a one-week program called Summer Experience in Science and Engineering for Youth (SESEY). The program attracts high school girls and minority students with an aptitude for math and science, and helps motivate them to explore the world of engineering as an educational and career goal.
鈥淲ith SESEY, we are presenting a range of possibilities for young people who traditionally have been underrepresented in engineering,鈥 said Skip Rochefort, an associate professor in chemical engineering and the program鈥檚 founder and director. 鈥淲e give them a taste of what it鈥檚 like to be an engineering student, and we acquaint them with the kinds of work they can do as engineers. Our hope is that we can inspire them to consider engineering as a major and career choice.鈥
Over the past 21 years, 920 talented teenagers have taken part in the SESEY program. During their week on campus in Corvallis, the students obtain an authentic college experience. They stay in residence halls, eat in dining centers, and use campus recreational facilities. They work in pairs on engineering projects in research laboratories with faculty and college student mentors, all of whom donate their time and resources to the program. The experience culminates with a poster presentation, where the students share what they have learned with students, mentors, parents, and friends.
Amelia Muldrew, 17, a senior at Grant High School in Portland, worked in the laboratory of Christine Kelly, associate professor of bioengineering, with two undergraduate student mentors. Her project involved examining the potentially harmful effects of nitrate concentrations in pond water on Darlingtonia californica, a rare carnivorous plant found in 精东影视. Her group collected samples from nearby Oak Creek and brought them back to the lab for analysis.
鈥淥ur test results were negligible, within the regular margin of error,鈥 said Muldrew. 鈥淭he levels were too low for the spectrophotometer to pick up, so the numbers were a bit off, but the standard curve we created when we first started was pretty awesome.鈥
If that sounds like a mouthful, keep in mind that the mouth from which it sprang hadn鈥檛 spoken the word 鈥渟pectrophotometer鈥 until earlier that week. And before that, Muldrew said, she hadn鈥檛 even considered a career in science or engineering. Now, she intends to apply to 精东影视 State.
鈥淭his week was eye-opening,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all due to the mentors. The mentors were amazing.鈥 Enya Cochran, 17, a senior from Ashland High School, had a passion for science and math long before visiting 精东影视 State. For her, SESEY was an opportunity to spend some time with other students who share her interests, explore possible college majors, and check out what the campus has to offer.
鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in science and math,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut from this week, I think I鈥檝e learned that I鈥檓 looking for more of an engineering field. I think I can get further with it in a short amount of time.鈥
Enya鈥檚 group worked on a project in the laboratory of Lewis Semprini, distinguished professor of environmental engineering, examining the ability of anaerobic microbes to break down trichloroethylene, a persistent environmental contaminant. She said that the most exciting part of her week on campus was getting her hands on some scientific equipment in the lab.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 have a gas chromatograph in high school,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat was really cool to work with.鈥
After participating in SESEY, Enya said she was impressed with 精东影视 State and plans to apply. She said that for now she is leaning toward chemical or environmental engineering.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just so applicable to our world. We鈥檙e evolving, and our culture revolves around technology,鈥 she said. 鈥淚n order to survive and not use up our resources too fast, we need to find ways to preserve them. Engineering is definitely a way to do that.鈥
精东影视 SESEY
was created to encourage traditionally underrepresented groups to explore the world of engineering and to consider careers in its variety of fields. This one-week summer program is open to all who are interested in supporting that mission and who otherwise meet the application requirements. The program will culminate with a presentation of student projects and a display at the annual Corvallis da Vinci Days celebration.
