These students are juniors and seniors in high school who have demonstrated a high aptitude in math, engineering, and the sciences. Most of the students have already begun their studies in calculus, physics, biology, engineering, and computer science.
Admission to the YESS program is competitive; the students were selected from over 100 applicants across the United States. The grade point average of the students was 3.93.
The YESS students participated in interdisciplinary scientific study during the intensive three-week program, which covered molecular biology, neuroscience, engineering design, applied physics, and art technology.
To encourage the pursuit of professional careers in science and technology, the YESS program also exposes the participants to entrepreneurial exploration, technology transfer, and to seminars from leading Caltech faculty and experts.
Brandi Jones, director of the Caltech office for Minority Student Education, says, "Our program is unique because it provides high school students an invaluable opportunity to conduct hands-on research with Caltech postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and with outstanding local high school teachers. We assemble this exceptional academic team to provide a rich extension of the scientific curriculum for these students. Our goal is to provide an extraordinary research opportunity that will help to shape and contribute to the futures of these bright students. The program focuses on introducing and exposing the students to advanced science; they are encouraged to maintain their interest in science, and to pursue careers in science and engineering.
"Another important element of our program is 'community building,' where we structure a family atmosphere and support network to ensure academic and professional success," Jones continued. "We establish a system so that students can stay in touch with one another after the program concludes, and we maintain contact with them after the program. We will even assist them with the college application process and with other pertinent college information."
Although the program was intense, the students did get a dash of fun in their rigorous schedules. At the culmination of the program, one of the weekend highlights was the boat races. Applying the recently learned laws of physics and engineering, and a bit of creativity and ingenuity, teams of students built boats using only cardboard and duct tape. The boats had to transport one of their team members across a pool.
Caltech's assistant director for educational programs and coordinator of the YESS program, Milton Mitchell, Jr., commented, "While most teams in previous years barely made it out of the pool's starting blocks, this year three out of the five teams were able to travel the full length of the pool without sinking their makeshift boats - or occupants!"
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Contact: Deborah Williams-Hedges (626) 395-3227 debwms@caltech.edu
Visit the Caltech Media Relations Web site at: http://pr.caltech.edu/media
Written by Deborah Williams-Hedges