Message from the Program Director and Coordinator of CWRU’s Project SEED Program:

Dear high school students, parents, and educators,

I hope that you and your loved ones are doing well.

The national ACS Project SEED summer program has been reimaging for this summer due to the ongoing pandemic. Instead of having high school students participating at institutions this summer, the ACS Project SEED committee has put together a 4.5-weeks virtual summer camp for students around the nation.

Student applications will be accepted online until May 15^th, 2020 (link: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/students/highschool/seed/apply.html). Click here to download information about how to apply, including the process to create a profile, follow-up steps, and troubleshooting tips if you encounter issues.  The attached document is written specifically for students.

A list of frequently asked questions is also given at the bottom of this message.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to restore the ACS SEED Program at CWRU in the summer of 2021.

Sincerely,

Carlos Crespo

Frequently asked questions:

• How will students be selected?  If a student is not close enough to an existing Project SEED site, can they still participate?The Project SEED Committee Task Force and ACS Staff will manage student selection.  Because this model is now virtual, students can participate even if they are not near a site.  This actually gives us an opportunity to identify new mentors and coordinators in areas with need.
• Is the student application deadline now extended?Yes, the deadline is now May 15^th. Students MUST complete and submit the online student application to be considered.
• Can Summer II students participate?  Will there be any difference in the program for Summer II compared to Summer I students?Yes, both Summer II and Summer I students will participate in the same program.  There will be sessions that may be better suited for students getting ready to enroll into college this fall that they can opt into.
• What about students with internet or device limitations?ACS will be purchasing laptops and hot spots for students with need.  Both student coaches and SEED students will be eligible to receive devices, and will not have to return the devices at the end of the summer.
• Will sessions be recorded? Yes, to be most flexible for students, cabin leaders, and campsite managers, all sessions will be recorded and provided for students to watch if they miss live events.
• Will students need a letter of recommendation? No.  With the deadline so close, we will not require any application components that students cannot complete themselves.

Student Application: Steps and Troubleshooting

About Project SEED

Participants are given a research project in chemistry and are supervised by a Case Western Reserve University scientist-mentor. Summer I students will receive a fellowship award of $2,500, while summer II students will receive a fellowship award of $3,000 for 8 weeks of full-time work (~35 hours/week). The summer 2019 program is expected to start on June 10 and end on August 2. Note: high school seniors who have participated in a Project SEED summer program are eligible to apply for a one-year, non-renewable college scholarship of up to $5,000.

Application

Applicants must meet the following qualifications:

– Be considering a science major or career
– Have completed a one-year introductory high school chemistry course
– Will begin your high school junior or senior year in Fall 2019
– Can establish your family income does not exceed 200% of the current 2019 Federal Poverty Guidelines. For this purpose the applicant must provide a copy of parent/guardian’s 2018 IRS 1040 Form. Income information is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of verifying eligibility for participation in Project SEED. Please delete (i.e., fully cover up or block) social security numbers from the IRS form prior to sending the form.
– You have read and understood the 2019 Project SEED Program Guidelines

SEED Fellows

The Project SEED Program has hosted 43 high-school students since 2010. Most of these students have participated for two consecutive summers (i.e., the maximum allowed by the program). As shown in the list of fellows below, at least 38 of these SEED students are pursuing (or are planning to pursuit) a college degree in STEM as of 2018; a ~88% retention rate.

Publications, Projects, and Posters

Yearly Report Cards

The Project SEED National Office generated report cards for Project SEED Sites using data from the Annual Student Survey and the Mentor Report. These report cards are automatically generated from data and do not reflect a grade, but rather a visualization of student/mentor responses. Each report card is automatically generated using the data given and a visualization software. Any irregularities or questions can be addressed with the Project SEED National Office.

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/cwruprojectseed

For specific questions or to request additional information about the Project SEED program, please contact the program coordinator Carlos E. Crespo directly at cxc302@case.edu.

Funding for this program is provided by The American Chemical Society and the Project SEED endowment, the College of Arts and Sciences at CWRU, and the National Science Foundation through the CAREER program (Grant No. CHE-1800052).