Middlebury College seeks to modify its experimental SCIENS (Science Core Instruction and Experience Network System) program. The modified program will offer twenty-six students a short course in the summer following the sophomore year of high school and a summer research following the junior year. The course will include activities in biology, chemistry and biochemistry, physics, geology and computer sciences. Research opportunities for students will be available in cell biology, organic and biochemistry, bedrock geology, and laser physics. The targeted population is minority students with high abilities. They will be selected nationwide. The population will be evenly divided between males and females. Twenty students will participate in the SCIENS core course. Six student will be selected from that group for participation in the research component. The program supports participation by low-income students by replacing lost summer income. The project staff are all faculty at Middlebury College. Project activities occur at Middlebury College, at the High Pond Research Station, and in the thousands of acres of college and national forest land surrounding the college.
