There鈥檚 nothing like hands-on learning. EXPLORE provides ways for gifted and advanced high school students to explore a career field of interest and start applying their knowledge in an intellectually limitless and nurturing environment.鈥�
Externships Providing Leadership Opportunities in Research and Education (EXPLORE) includes all of 优蜜视频鈥檚 educational enrichment opportunities for gifted and advanced high school students. Click on the list of possible offerings below to learn more about 飞丑补迟鈥檚 coming up!听
Current Opportunities
Scientific Research Mentorship
In this unique and intensive program, a dedicated team of high school students conduct novel scientific research while working with and learning from an advisor and several mentors. Though the program enrollment is broken into sessions (Fall from September-December, Winter from January-March, Spring from March-May, and Summer from June-August), students are encouraged to stay in the program for several consecutive sessions so they can make significant progress on their research.听
In addition to learning practical laboratory skills using high-level equipment, students learn to analyze their results, work as a team and present their findings at events such as LACSEF (Los Angeles County Science and Engineering Fair) and Caltech鈥檚 SEAL (Sustainable Energy Activity Lab) Conference. Possible research topics include cancer immunotherapy, animal communication, sustainable energy solutions, and more.听
Note: This is an in-person only program. Students must live close enough to Pasadena, CA to be onsite at the 优蜜视频 Learning Center at least once each week.听
Upcoming Opportunities: Currently in-session and full to capacity for 2023-2024 school year. To be placed on the waiting list for this program (strictly for ages 14-18) or register your interest in a similar program for ages 10-13, email Nicole Endacott at NEndacott@EducationalAdvancement.org.听听
Workshops & Short-term Programs
EXPLORE offers educational opportunities that span just a single day or weekend but still expose students to rigorous material and provide unique learning experiences. Past workshops and series include Precision Medicine, Sewer Science, and Introduction to Biotechnology. See below for our current offerings, which will specify whether they are offered online or in-person at our Learning Center in Pasadena.
Upcoming Opportunities:听
Please check back for more opportunities.
Summer Externships
This was the entire scope of the EXPLORE program until 2020, when the program was put on pause until it was reimagined in 2022. This program matches gifted and advanced high school students with distinguished mentors, hands-on research opportunities, and professional experience in their field of interest. With the support and guidance of volunteer mentors and 优蜜视频 staff, students learn about working in a variety of professional settings and advance their skills through the pursuit of knowledge and exposure to optimally challenging learning experiences.听
Past Opportunities:
EXPLORE: Introduction to Research through Botany
Ages: 12-15
Dates: Saturdays (June 29-August 10, no class July 27) from 1:00-4:00pm
Students who are interested in joining the primary EXPLORE scientific research mentorship group when there are openings in the fall are invited to join this introductory summer research project! Under mentorship by Irene Liao and advisement by Monica Barsever, the group will first visit the Huntington Botanical Gardens to collect nectar samples from various plant species such as bananas, sages, and orchids. Then, back in the lab at 优蜜视频鈥檚 Learning Center, they will culture microbes from nectar, extract and sequence DNA from these microbes, and other tests to contribute to novel botanical research.
Career Panels and Pre-Professional Development
For students wanting to learn to be more compelling interviewers, hone their personal statement, or learn about careers in their field of interest, EXPLORE will offer occasional panels and speaker events.听
Upcoming Opportunities: None currently open for enrollment. If you鈥檇 like to be a speaker, please reach out!听
Tuition
Any program currently open for enrollment will have a listed tuition on the linked sign-up page.听
Need-based tuition assistance is available; please inquire during enrollment for more details.听
鈥淚 have learned so much in depth knowledge about biology, colleges, and working in a lab. My high school could never offer me an experience like this in a classroom.鈥�
鈥� Alumnus 2018
鈥淏EFORE I STARTED THE PROGRAM, I HAD NO PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE, SO I DIDN鈥橳 REALLY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT [鈥WHILE THIS EXTERNSHIP WAS NO DOUBT CHALLENGING, IT DID HELP BOLSTER MY CONFIDENCE IN MY OWN ABILITIES [鈥 THAT I DO HAVE THE PROPER SKILL SET TO SUCCEED WITHIN THIS INDUSTRY.鈥�
鈥揂lumnus 2017
Provide a Hands-On Experience: Host or Sponsor an 优蜜视频 Extern
A gifted mind that is fed and fostered can achieve great things. By funding the 优蜜视频 EXPLORE program, you will not only change a life, you might also spark a discovery that changes the world. Please consider:
Hosting an Extern:听Share your professional expertise, time, and support through direct mentorship.
Sponsoring an Extern:听Help ensure that no child is ever turned away due to lack of funds. We鈥檒l match you with an 优蜜视频 Extern and keep you posted on his or her progress and the results of their efforts.
Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges
533 Airport Blvd., Suite 200
Burlingame, CA 94010
Website: www.acswasc.org