A College Try: Teen Scientists Experience Higher Education
For four days, aspiring scientists from as far away as Texas and Indiana put aside traditional teenage summer pursuits to explore such heady topics as quantum chemistry, molecular theory and DNA sequencing at Utah State University.
Rebekah Jung, a junior at Utah’s Logan High School, worked with doctoral student mentor Alina Sergeeva on modeling graphene, a recently discovered super-strong, lightweight form of carbon.
“I learned a lot,” Jung said. “I didn’t know you could make carbon and graphene on a computer. Graphene is just a single atom thick and can be used to store energy. Scientists think it could provide material for the next generation of semiconductors.”
Jung was among 15 high school juniors and seniors who participated in the third annual High School Summer Internship in Chemistry and Biochemistry held on campus July 13-16. Hosted by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the gathering is designed to introduce teens to varied study and research opportunities offered at USU.
“I think we had a great pool of students this year,” said Joanie Hevel, R. Gaurth Hansen Assistant Professor of Biohemistry and an internship organizer. “It’s exciting to have these young people here who are ready to move to the next level.”
Participants gathered for group seminars on such topics as environmental health and safety, DNA sequencing, molecular modeling and biofuels production. But, for the bulk of their time, they worked one-on-one with faculty and student mentors in the lab on research projects of their choice.
“We modeled the active site of an enzyme,” said Daniel Brown, a high school senior who traveled from LaPorte, Ind., to participate in the internship. “We looked at how metal ions catalyze a biological reaction.”
Interns stayed in the Living/Learning Center during their USU visit, where they participated in evening recreational activities led by chemistry and biochemistry undergraduates. On the final day of the gathering, they presented their research projects to family and friends, after which all enjoyed an outdoor barbeque party.
“I’m definitely considering USU as my college choice,” said Tyler Gladwin, a junior at Intech Collegiate High School on USU’s Innovation Campus. “I’d like to major in chemistry.”
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Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, 435-797-3517, maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu
Contact: Alvan Hengge, 435-797-3442, alvan.hengge@usu.edu
Biochemistry doctoral student Brenda Suh-Lailam, center, guides high school interns Tyler Gladwin, left, and Erika Lovett in purifying a protein.
Intern Daniel Brown, left, of Indiana's LaPorte High School, learns to use a glove box with instruction from undergraduate chemistry mentor Brooks Marshall, right. Brown explored how metal ions catalyze a biological reaction.
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