Michigan State University is pleased to announce the St. Andrews STEM Scholars research program will return for 2017. High school students from the Midland County area will have the opportunity to be mentored by MSU scientists on cutting-edge research projects over the course of an eight-week program.

Rising high school juniors (current juniors–seniors in Fall ’17) are invited to apply for a paid internship with mentoring provided by researchers at the MSU St. Andrews facility in Midland. Projects are intended to introduce students to research in chemistry, astronomy, environmental science and materials science, and should provide the basis for national science fair competitions in the 2017-2018 academic year including Intel, Siemens and others.

Mentors on site have suggested the following project areas:

• New compounds that prevent overcharging of lithium batteries
• Water Purification: Removal of fluoride and other natural contaminants from drinking water
• NMR spectroscopy investigations: Attempts to correlate vegetable oil constituents observed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy with reported effects on health
• Organic chemistry: Evaluation of various Lewis acids for their ability to catalyze specific reactions
• What are plastics made of: Characterization of the molecular weight distribution and composition of polymers by gel permeation chromatography and NMR spectroscopy
• Saving honey bees from varroa mites with controlled-release miticides
• Designing sensors through 3D printing technology
• 3D printing of novel, nano-carbon-containing composites
• Solar system astronomy
• Variable star astronomy
• Exploration of an engineered wetland by environmental science
• Computer programming with a focus on interactive games

MSU proposes to offer multiple internships in 2017. Each will be a paid position at $10 per hour. The program will run eight weeks, 40 hours per week (Monday through Friday, days), from June 26 to August 18.

Applications must be received by April 15, 2017. Students will be notified of their acceptance by mid-May, 2017.

Any questions about the program or the application process should be directed to Melanie Kauffman, Communications Manager, by calling 517-432-4499 or via email.

Download this flyer to share or post: STEM Scholars Flyer

Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodation for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting Melanie Kauffman at 517-432-4499 or kauffm59@msu.edu by June 1, 2017. Requests after this date will be honored whenever possible.

Photo features 2016 summer intern, Kiley Mowry, as she presents a poster about her research project at an American Chemical Society event in Midland.