High School Summer Research Program
About
As part of its strategic plan, mission, and vision, the LSU College of Engineering is dedicated to developing students into the next generation of transformative problem solvers for the local region, the state, and beyond. The High School Summer Research (HSSR) Program is an outreach initiative aimed at engaging high-achieving high school students in real research in the fields of engineering, computer science, and construction management. HSSR interns have opportunities to learn from faculty research groups and understand how they work, what inspires them, and how to continue in fields related to engineering in college and beyond.
In addition to their work on a research team/project, HSSR interns also attend workshops that include trainings on safety, research best practices, ethics in research, and communication. The program culminates in a poster presentation for students to present their research projects.
Program Goals
- To give high-achieving, highly motivated, and hard-working local high school students meaningful experiences in engineering, computer science, and construction management research during summer.
- To develop students’ curiosity, research methods, and intellectual abilities before they have completed high school or made decisions about which college to attend and what bachelor’s degree to pursue.
- To develop students’ abilities to communicate technical content using both written and oral modes of communication.
- To teach students about the engineering design process and how it can be applied to both fundamental and applied research.
- To introduce these students to the opportunities available at the LSU College of Engineering and showcase the impressive faculty and research available to them at the state flagship university.
- To support faculty in their research projects and outreach efforts.
Program Details
Students selected as HSSR interns are matched with a College of Engineering faculty member's research team. They will receive guidance from the professor, as well as graduate-student and undergraduate-student mentors, as they work on a project related to the research team's ongoing research. Here are examples of past research projects and an article about a student/project from summer 2020. Here is an anticipated timeline for the entire 2020-2021 HSSR Program.
HSSR Interns will not be paid for their work.
HSSR Interns will be held accountable for their work responsibilities by the College of Engineering and will be expected to compete in regional science fair competitions. The program will provide information and training regarding science fair participation.
HSSR Interns will have to complete detailed safety paperwork and training through the course of the spring 2021 semester in order to begin work on a project in summer 2021 and beyond.
HSSR Interns will be required to work about 15-20 hours per week during summer 2021 for a total of about 120-140 hours (weekly schedules can be flexible depending on summer travel/activity schedules).
The HSSR Intern application and selection process will be highly competitive due to high interest and a limited number of available positions.
Apply
The LSU College of Engineering is seeking qualified local high school students to apply for a limited number of High School Summer Research (HSSR) Intern positions available in summer 2021. Please see the program details and eligibility before applying. If you have questions about eligibility and program details, please contact Recruiting and Outreach Manager Andy Osborn at aosborn@lsu.edu or 225-267-7205.
To be eligible for this program, you must:
- Be at least 15 years of age.
- Have a 3.5 (or equivalent) high school GPA (as listed on a current high school transcript).
- Complete and submit this application by end of day on October 18, 2020.
To apply for this program, you must:
- Complete the LSU College of Engineering 2021 High School Summer Research Intern Application.
- Include/upload a 500-word personal statement focused on your interest in this opportunity and how you think it will impact you as your pursue an education/career in engineering.
- Include/upload a current unofficial high school transcript.
- Include/upload a signed Parent/Guardian Statement of Support.
- Include/upload a signed School Sponsor/Contact Statement of Support.
- Include/upload a current resume of academic, volunteer, community service, leadership, and extracurricular activities.
Applications must be completed and received by end of day on October 18, 2020.
Past Projects
2020
| Project Title | Program | Mentor |
|---|---|---|
| Simulating Cortical Bone Structure in Large Vertebrates | Biological Engineering | Kevin Hoffseth |
| Microstructural Geometry and Damage Detection in Cortical Bone Images | Biological Engineering | Kevin Hoffseth |
| Characterization of Fluorescent Proteins Produced in the E. coli Cell-Free Protein Synthesis System | Biological Engineering | Yongchan Kwon |
| Meta-Analysis of Cardiac Extracellular Matrix Proteins: Information Extraction for 3D Bio-printing | Biological Engineering | Philip Jung |
| Dynamic Photoluminescence Response of Dipole-Modulated Rare Earth Doped Core-Shell Nanoparticles to Local Changes in Temperature and Solution pH | Chemical Engineering | James Dorman |
| Machine Learning-Based Feature Analysis and Classification for ICG-Assisted Vibrational Spectroscopic Data of Pancreatic Carcinoma | Electrical Engineering | Jian Xu |
| 3D Tumor Spheroid Generation Using a Droplet Microfluidic Device | Chemical Engineering | Adam Melvin |
| Circulating Microfluidic Co-Culture Device for the Dynamic Analysis of the Tumor Secretome | Chemical Engineering | Adam Melvin |
| Development of a Modular Microfluidic Platform to Investigate the Role of Fluid Shear Stress on Cancer Cell Phenotype | Chemical Engineering | Adam Melvin |
| Using Pulsed UV Light for Enhancing Advanced Oxidation Water Treatment | Environmental Engineering | Samuel Snow |
| Using Pulsed UV Light for Enhanced Water Disinfection | Environmental Engineering | Samuel Snow |
| Shockwave Induced Droplet Breakup | Mechanical Engineering | Shyam Menon |
| Characterization of Animal Nest-Building Geomaterials | Civil Engineering | Hai Lin |
| Breath Monitoring: Analyzing Breathing with Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds | Computer Science | Chen Wang |
| Evaluation of the Field Performance of Stabilized and Non-Stabilized Asphalt Overlays in Louisiana | Construction Management | Momen Mousa |
| The Use of RAP and WMA Mixtures in South-Central States: Challenges & Limitations | Construction Management | Husam Sadek |
| Variability and Uncertainty of Overlay Tester Testing Data, Analysis, and Results | Construction Management | Husam Sadek |
Photos & Videos
Contact
The program administrators are responsible for the facilitation of the program from start to finish by creating the policy/structure, providing regular communication to all stakeholders, serving as the key liaisons between all stakeholders, and generally supporting/directing the program throughout each cycle.
Program Administrator Contact Info:
Andy Osborn
Recruiting and Outreach Manager
LSU College of Engineering
2228R Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
aosborn@lsu.edu
office 225-267-7205
Adam T. Melvin, PhD
Associate Professor
Cain Department of Chemical Engineering
LSU College of Engineering
3314F Patrick F. Taylor Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
melvin@lsu.edu
office: 225-578-3062