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GSSM to Host 21st Annual Research Colloquium
February 4, 2010
On Saturday, Feb. 6, parents, mentors and friends will gather in Hartsville from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for GSSM's 21st Annual Research Colloquium to watch and listen as more than 70 students present scientific research findings from their summer 2009 internships.Research topics include everything from the "Correlation between Urbanization and Grain Size Distribution in Urban and Rural Streams of the Enoree and Saluda River Basins in South Carolina" to "Creating a Hemocompatible Small-Diameter Vascular Graft."
Colloquium is the culmination of the School's Summer Program for Research Interns (SPRI), a unique, hands-on educational initiative that matches GSSM rising seniors with scientist mentors at corporate research and development labs, research universities and hospital cancer centers across the state including Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, the Medical University of South Carolina, the Greenwood Genetic Center and more.
A graduation requirement, students spend six weeks under the direct supervision of established scientists. During the internship, students conduct research on a college graduate level in fields in which they have a specific interest such as cancer research, biomedical experiments or computer science.
"The most effective way for students to learn science is by engaging them in scientific inquiry," said Randy La Cross, GSSM Vice President of Outreach and Research.
"Each year SPRI provides our students with the opportunity to understand deeply the nature of science and its critical role in our society. Through this experience, and their presentations at Colloquium, they learn how to ask scientific questions and communicate the results of their findings."
"Our state and country will benefit greatly from the understanding these high school students have developed."
In addition to GSSM students, nine students from other public high schools also took part. If you would like to attend Colloquium or would like more information, contact Marilynn Moore at 843.383.3958 or moore@gssm.k12.sc.us.
