Towson, Md. — Acton Middle School's Paola Lumbreras was one of 32 middle school students who attended the Joint Science and Technology Institute (JSTI) East, an educational opportunity to expand their knowledge and experience in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). JSTI East is a one-week residential program in Maryland for current middle school students that exposes them to scientific research through hands-on projects. There is also a two-week component for high school students, teachers, and alumni of the JSTI program.
Lumbreras collaborated with scientists and was mentored by Department of Defense scientists and experts in STEM fields. They worked with their peers to complete a hands-on research project in a professional lab setting. Project topics included:
- Raspberry Pi
- Forensic Chemistry
- Water Quality
- Antibiotic Discovery
The educational program, held July 20-26, was a fully funded research opportunity for middle school students from the United States and from U.S. Department of Defense schools around the world. It was sponsored by the Chemical and Biological Defense Program and managed by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. The program encouraged students to gain confidence in their own abilities, increased STEM literacy and exposed students to the importance of STEM through hands-on research.
“We love this weeklong immersive event for students. It’s an opportunity to learn from a mentor—researchers who are experts in a STEM field—in a real-world setting,” said ORISE Associate Manager Jennifer Tyrell. “JSTI opens the door for middle schoolers to perform research in an area they’re interested in, experience a day-in-the-life of people who work in that field and make relevant networking connections. Our participants gain so much value from this program.”
For a complete list of JSTI participants visit, https://orise.orau.gov/jstieast/participants.htm
About ORISE
The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education is a U.S. Department of Energy asset that is dedicated to enabling critical scientific, research, and health initiatives of the department and its laboratory system by providing world-class expertise in STEM workforce development, scientific and technical reviews, and the evaluation of radiation exposure and environmental contamination. ORISE is managed by ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and federal contractor, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science.
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