At a Glance
Students enrolled in the Health Professions program at State College Area High Schools Career and Technical Center may apply to participate in the two-semester Health Profession Research Fellows Program in collaboration with the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State.
Description
Designed to give students experiences in lab sciences and the opportunity to work with university researchers, the Health Profession Research Fellows Program represents a unique and rigorous learning experience for participating students. Over the course of the school year, students in the program spend at least 10 hours per week conducting research on the campus of Penn State with a professor. The students grade for the program is based on biweekly journals, quarterly research descriptions or presentations and an evaluation conducted by the supervising professor.
Students who complete the program receive two credits at the high school, and they have the option to receive two Penn State credits for the academic year. To receive the Penn State credit, students first must apply and be accepted as a non-degree student at Penn State. Then they must then enroll in a one credit Penn State class each semester. Students may also volunteer for the program so that they do not need to pay the Penn State tuition fees. Although volunteers will not receive college credit, they still can receive high school credit.
To apply for the Health Profession Research Fellows Program, students must complete an application form and submit a resume, transcript and a recommendation form from one of their teachers. They also participate in an interview with the program coordinator.
Impact
Since the Health Profession Research Fellows program started during the 2014-2015 school year, 45 students have participated in the program.
It is expected that the Health Profession Research Fellows program will continue and may grow to include other Penn State University departments such as Engineering and Material Sciences.
Contact
State College Area High Schools Career and Technical Center https://www.scasd.org/Page/32595
Sharon Perry, Director
sap19@scasd.org