D300 high school students can focus on STEM courses this summer

Budding scientists in Community Unit District 300 high schools will have the chance this summer to undertake research and experimentation with the help of local businesses and college professors.

John Gorby, science divisional head at Jacobs High School in Algonquin, said the summer course will provide students with hands-on experience in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math, which collectively are known as STEM courses.

“It will be like they're preparing for a science fair, but at the high school level,” Gorby said. “The research they might be interested in may take some time, so we can get something started here and they can continue to work on it in college, in clubs or for scientific competitions. This will gear them up for college-level or workplace science research. ”

Although the course will be offered at Jacobs High School, Gorby said the program will be open to all high school students including incoming freshmen and recent high school graduates who are entering their freshman year in college.

Students may sign up for the course, which runs July 9 to 26. Class times for the second summer session are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Thursday.

Registration is $150 per student. Students must sign up before April 13 and at least 15 students must enroll to ensure the course is offered.

Areas of study and research can range from electronics to chemistry, Gorby said, though the extent of the projects might be limited by funding, materials and equipment.

“There are a lot of options that are available out there,” Gorby said. “We're hoping to get support from parents and the community to help fund students projects. The students will be developing their research plan, and financial limitations are something they need to think about.”

Connecting with a mentor will also be part of the process, Gorby said. Students will have more than a month to develop ideas.

“Students apply and we find out what their interests are,” Gorby said. “That gives us time to connect with local businesses and college mentors. We don't know who to contact until we know what students are interested in.”

Gorby said students and staff will work on fundraising if additional materials and equipment are needed.