TEEN SCIENCE SCHOLARS AT THE DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE: NURTURING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTIFIC LEADERS

The Teen Science Scholar program (TSS) at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science involves high school youth (age 15 to 18) in authentic scientific research in order to encourage their selection of an academic and career path in science. The program began in 2007 and is now in its fourth year. Scholars are selected based upon academic performance, a personal objective to pursue an interest or career in science, recommendations on leadership and science interests, and their potential to be future community leaders. Special emphasis is placed on students who are underrepresented in the sciences -- women and minorities -- and who will be the first in their family to attend college. The program began in paleontology and now includes additional tracks in zoology (2009) and health sciences (2010). Scholars in paleontology spend two weeks of field research in a wilderness area collecting geological and paleontological data and specimens. This is followed by six weeks of specimen preparation, identifications, and analysis in the Museum laboratory. Students are paid for their work during the summer. The objective of each year’s program is to provide an authentic research experience that results in the development of new scientific knowledge and helps students understand the process of science. Scholars have finalized their research work through abstract publication, peer-reviewed paper submissions, video presentations, and public lectures. Many of the students continue as Museum volunteers after the summer program (8 of 16). Students who have participated in the program are tracked to follow their educational development, careers and interests in science. Among those that have graduated from high school half are in a science or engineering major (the remaining 50% are are equally either undecided or unknown at this time). We anticipate that graduates in TSS will eventually become science mentors and role models for students in their communities. This program has been supported by the Denver Foundation through a donation from Dr. Paul and Harriet Rosen, and by the Hugh and Michelle Harvey Family Foundation.