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Summer Educational Experience for the Disadvantaged

SEED is a nationwide educational program sponsored by the ACS designed to encourage economically disadvantaged H.S. students into careers in the chemical sciences. The program provides them with a summer research opportunity under the mentorship of a chemistry faculty member. Click for more information: ACS Project SEED
Our annual reports on Project SEED in central Illinois

2007:

Some highlights of the SEED program here in central Illinois are: If you are interested in being a mentor or donating to Project SEED please contact David Cedeño at dcedeno @ ilstu.edu

Summary

Project SEED is an educational work experience in laboratory research designed to encourage high school students into college studying science. math and technology.

WHERE?
Bloomington-Normal & Peoria

WHEN?
8-10 weeks in summer (June-August 2008)

WHO?
Rising juniors and seniors in high school
Students must be enrolled in or have completed a chemistry course, must have an interest in science, and comply with the ACS definition of disadvantaged.

WHAT?
Project SEED students receive an educational grant (approximately $2500) for 8-10 weeks of full time work in the summer concluding with a research poster session. Students who successfully complete Project SEED are eligible for ACS college scholarships.

HOW?
Mentor/Project Proposal: January 10, 2008
Notification: April 1, 2008
Student Awards: May 1, 2008
Financial Reports Due: June 1, 2008 (ASAP for confirmation)
Poster Session: August 2008

Contact:
Professor David Cedeno
Illinois State University
dcedeno @ ilstu.edu 309-438-5595

Description

Project SEED, the American Chemical Society's social action program, places talented, disadvantaged high school students in academic, industrial, and government research laboratories for 8-10 weeks during the summer to experience "hands-on" research. Each student completes a chemical research project under the supervision of a scientist/mentor (called a preceptor) and receives an educational award.

The goal of Project SEED is to help expand the career outlook of economically disadvantaged students. Since 1968, The Project SEED Program has made it possible for more than 4,500 talented high school students to conduct research in local chemistry laboratories. The program will consist of an 8-10-week summer science research project for the students, with the majority of participants working in chemistry and chemistry-related sciences. The students receive individual instruction under the direct supervision of scientists/preceptors in the laboratory. The preceptors serve as role models and encourage the students to learn about careers in chemistry.

Our mission is to recruit, support, and encourage talented disadvantaged high school students to pursue degrees in Chemistry, Chemistry-related science disciplines, or the sciences, by providing the most comprehensive scientific research internship experience possible. We define disadvantaged as:

  1. Students from households with a low family income as defined by the ACS
  2. Students from minorities historically underrepresented in Chemistry and Chemistry-related fields (African- Americans, Hispanic & Native Americans)
  3. First generation of the household to attend college
  4. Students from single-parent or non-traditional households.
The Illinois Heartland American Chemical Society is building a sustainable, high achievement organization of networked, caring professionals following a shared vision.