PRINCESS ANNE, MD- (March 23, 2021)-Delmarva high school students interested in pursuing a degree in chemistry-related majors can apply now through April 26 to the American Chemical Society’s virtual 2021 Project SEED summer program. The program, June 21 to July 30, offers participants a $1,000 fellowship and the potential for an ACS scholarship covering the first year of college tuition. Previous Project SEED fellows have received scholarships to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
“In-person research for this year’s summer experience has been suspended due to the pandemic and ACS’ desire to uphold its core values of professionalism, safety and ethics,” said Dr. Victoria Volkis, associate professor of chemistry and ACS Project SEED coordinator at UMES. “It will still take place, but in a virtual format following last year’s model.”
Prior to COVID-19, UMES was a physical host sight for the summer program for 12 years, Volkis said. Project SEED is designed to “foster nurturing and supportive relationships between high school students and the scientific community—a relationship that can be vital in the transition from high school to college.”
Past programs have involved students working in an academic, industrial or government research laboratory. This summer ACS will select and organize students, who will spend approximately 20 hours a week for four weeks in online instruction including chemical safety, career development, college preparation and communication skills, into several virtual camps .
SEED students are encouraged to enroll at UMES and pursue a major in the sciences. Applicants must have completed at least one course of chemistry and have demonstrated financial need. The deadline for applications is April 26. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, click visit www.umes.edu/Sciences.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
