Georgia High School Students Engage in STEM Research Over Summer Break

STEM research collaboration concept.

Georgia high school students spend summer break in a lab preparing for STEM careers

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (HERE NEWS) – A group of Georgia high schoolers are not spending their summer at the pool like many of their other friends. They are spending eight weeks in a laboratory doing chemistry research, gearing up for careers in STEM.

Opportunity in the Laboratory

In the laboratory, summer break is just another opportunity to get ahead. The American Chemical Society created what is called Project SEED Summer Program. High school students go to chosen host colleges where they work in labs and do scientific research.

“We select students who are economically disadvantaged,” said Dr. Ajay Mallia with Georgia Gwinnett College and also a Project SEED organizer. Mallia organized the project at Georgia Gwinnett College.

Paving the Way for Future Scientists

“One of my research areas is making pharmaceutically active molecules. Specifically, pharmaceutically active soft materials. These are high school students. They have about one year of chemistry experience. We want them to learn how to make these kinds of molecules,” said Mallia.

It’s an eight-week long program, and students work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. “I am a first-generation student and many people helped me so that I am now a professor in chemistry. Now is my time to give back to my community,” said Mallia.

“I am sure some of them will be future Nobel laureates. You never know!” added Mallia.

Dedication and Focus

This lab is not the pool with friends, but it is a chance for these students to focus on something they are passionate about without distraction.

Click here to learn more about ACS Project SEED Program

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