HHMI-BRIDGES Science Education and Outreach Program
Through this channel of the HHMI-BRIDGES program, students and teachers in South Carolina will have increased opportunities to experience science and math in action through a variety of partnerships and outreach programs.
Partnership with Bridges to a Brighter Future (BBF)
- Curriculum Experiences
- Furman University faculty and students will collaborate with BBF science and math faculty to provide hands-on demonstrations, group activities, and discussions during the 4-week summer residential program currently established on Furman University’s campus.
- Rising junior and senior BBF students with an interest in science and math careers will be selected to participate in a paid, 4-week non-residential, summer research exposure at Furman University.
- Students selected for participation receive a $500 stipend.
- Students selected for participation will be mentored by Furman University researchers, area high school teachers, and Furman University students.
- Interested students should contact Dr. Vicky Turgeon at victoria.turgeon@furman.edu.
- Research Experiences for BBF Greenville School District high school teachers:
- Five Greenville, SC high school teachers will be selected to participate in paid, 4-week summer research experiences with Furman University faculty.
- Teachers selected for participation receive a $3,000 stipend.
- Furman plans to provide development/certification renewal credit for participation in the HHMI-BRIDGES summer research program at the normal rate of $99 per credit hour for the summer of 2010.
- High school teachers and Furman faculty will work as a team to address a specific research questions and to mentor high school students in a research setting.
- Interested high school math and science teachers should contact Dr. Vicky Turgeon at victoria.turgeon@furman.edu.
Partnership with Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM)
Up to 8 students enrolled in the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics will have the opportunity to complete their mandatory 6-week research experiences through a residential program at Furman University. These students will be engaged in full-time research with Furman math and science faculty as partners in research. Students selected for this program will be determined by the Director of Research Programs at GSSM, Dr. Randy LaCross, who will match student interests up with research activities available at Furman University.
Partnership with Hughes Academy of Science and Technology Magnet Middle School
Through the HHMI-BRIDGES program, Furman University students are giving their time to serve as mentors, students and friends to middle school students enrolled at Hughes Academy of Science and Technology, the magnet middle school for science and technology in Greenville County. More than 25 Furman math and science students have volunteered in the 2008-2009 school year to spend an hour one-on-one with a student at Hughes Academy during the school day (once every 1-2 weeks for most students). While the time commitment is quite modest for the Furman students, the program has had extremely positive impacts on the Hughes Academy students according to the Magnet Coodinator, Ms. Robbie Higdon. Furman students interested in participating in this fun and rewarding service opportunity should contact the Director of Integrative Research in the Sciences, Dr. John Wheeler (john.wheeler@furman.edu). Application form.
