High School programs
Director: Dr. William Wunner

With support from The Hassel Foundation, The Wistar Institute offers programs intended to encourage high school students to pursue further education and possible careers in science.

Annual Biology Essay Contest Supported by a Grant from The Hassel Foundation
The Wistar Institute's Annual Biology Essay Contest is open to all Philadelphia School District students, grades 9 through 12, enrolled in at least one science class. Students who are associated with or have family members associated with The Wistar Institute are ineligible. Each applicant is required to write an essay on an issue in biomedical science featured in the news during the past year. Some examples of topics include:

Childhood vaccinations: How do they work to prevent diseases? What major childhood diseases are currently targeted? What is and who would benefit from the rotavirus vaccine?

Influenza Vaccines: What different forms of influenza vaccines are there? How are they produced and administered? What age groups of people are they meant to protect? What decisions go into choosing a vaccine strain and how soon before a flu season are they produced?

Emerging Flu Pandemic: What have been affected by flu? What is flu? How could this disease affect humans? Where in the United States has the disease occurred? What could be done to prevent a pandemic?

Antibiotic Resistant Infections: How do bacteria develop antibiotic resistance? What human factors contribute to this antibiotic resistance? What are the current and future strategies to combat this problem?

Stem Cells: What are they? Where do they come from? How might they be used to treat human disease?

Environmental Factors that Impact on Cancer: What environmental factors directly affect lung cancer? What has happened to the incidence of skin cancer as a result of exposure to the elements of nature?

New HIV Drug Therapies: What are these therapies? How have they affected individuals with HIV?

Issues to Address in Your Essay:
The purpose of this essay is to emphasize the most recent scientific findings and to describe how these findings have influenced the medical world and/or contributed to the progress of research in this area. The essay should focus on basic scientific research and understanding and NOT on the social and ethical implications.

Examples of Reference Materials:
The New York Times (especially Tuesday's "Science Times" section)
The Philadelphia Inquirer and other Philadelphia newspapers, and the journals
Science News, Scientific American, Discovery, Nature and Science

PRIZES - ONE PRIZE PER SCHOOL WILL BE AWARDED

STUDENT ESSAYIST AWARDS:
First Prize: $500
Second Prize: $250
Third Prize: $100
Runner-up prizes of $50 each

SCHOOL PRIZES:
$500 Gift Certificate for laboratory/teaching supplies to the First Prize Winner's school

Please click here to print out and download the Entry Form and Essay Guidelines (PDF files).

For additional information, contact:
Ms. Maria Colelli
(215) 898-3774
colelli@wistar.org.

2008 Biology Essay Contest Winners

First Prize
HIV/AIDS
Michael Gorokhovsky
George Washington High School

Second Prize
The Mystery of Autism
 Alba Baze
Julia R. Masterman High School

HPV: New Drug Therapies
Elizabeth Massele
Julia R. Masterman High School

Third Prize
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Gabrielle Sammartino
Girard Academic Music Program
                                   
Increase of Obesity Trends in the U.S. Become a Major Health Issue
Sandy Weng
Central High School

Honorable Mention
Bird Flu
Jasmine Smith
William Bodine High School                                        

2009 Summer Fellowship Program in Biomedical Research
for High School Students
Sponsored by the Hassel Foundation & GlaxoSmithKline
June 29 - August 21

In keeping with its goal to promote science education and encourage young people to consider careers in science, The Wistar Institute is again offering an eight-week summer program for high school students in the Philadelphia School District. Started in 1994, Wistar's summer fellowship program gives students the opportunity to become directly involved in experimental biological research projects at the bench level. During the course of the summer, students work on active research projects in areas such as cancer genetics, control of tumor progression or vaccine development. One recent student fellow described her experience as "Our classroom science in action." Other students' comments illustrate the value of their fellowship experience:

  "I cannot even begin to explain how much I learned this summer. I feel like a Ph.D. myself at this point… Academically, this program was exceptional… It is a great hands-on learning experience that teaches something a textbook could only begin to get across to a person. The program was also great in that it made me feel as if I was making a difference in the world and in somebody's life."

--S.P., Philadelphia High School for Girls, Summer 1998

  "This has been the most productive and well-spent summer; getting a taste of the research environment and working side by side with an experienced researcher."

-- E.J. Northeast High School, Summer 2007

  "This program was extremely useful to me in exposing me to what working in the lab is like. I was given real responsibilities and experiments to perform that were important and made me feel like an actual scientist."

--B.L., George Washington High School, Summer 2005

  "“I've learned many lab techniques while working with my mentors…By doing the project I had a better understanding of how things work in a laboratory. It also gave me a head start on what I want to do for my senior project for school. …I appreciate all the help I got from my lab team."

--H.T., Bodine High School, Summer 2000

  "I know already that I want to pursue a career in biomedical research. This program has helped me by giving me an idea of what it is like to work in a lab. I am further encouraged to go into research because of what great experience this has been."

--S.B., J. R. Masterman High School, Summer 2004

  “This program took my knowledge of science 10 steps ahead by giving me the hands on knowledge.”

--S.K., Northeast High School, Summer 2006

Program Description

Wistar’s Summer Fellowship Program in Biomedical Research provides an opportunity for students to enhance their understanding of current biological/biomedical theory and research tools and techniques at a nationally recognized nonprofit research institution. Wistar scientists and their laboratory teams serve as program mentors guiding students through the planning and practice of daily research experiments and activities. Each student is assigned to work in a specific laboratory for the duration of the program; under the direction of the laboratory head, the student works on a unique research project related to the research goals of that particular laboratory. Students are integrated into the daily work of the laboratory, participating in laboratory meetings and gaining exposure to different facets of the laboratory's research. Mentors help students apply their current knowledge and skills and assist them in making the connection between laboratory experience and their academic studies. The program includes a weekly lunchtime seminar series presented by Institute scientists and an introduction to research library skills development.

At the end of the summer, students are required to give an oral presentation, with slides, as well as prepare a final written report describing their research project, techniques and processes learned, and how the experience was useful to the student both academically and personally.  The students meet periodically with their mentors to prepare and review the content of the oral presentations and written reports.

2009 Program Schedule and Stipend

The 2009 program is scheduled for June 29 – August 21, 2009; students are expected to devote 35 hours a week to the program.  Although the schedule is flexible, students are required to complete the eight-week program and to participate in all program activities.  Students will receive a stipend not to exceed $2,050 for the full eight weeks.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must be at least sixteen years of age and enrolled in a science course. The program is limited to students within the Philadelphia School District.  To ensure that the program is maximally beneficial both to participants and The Wistar Institute, we are seeking highly motivated students who are enrolled in an academic curriculum and demonstrate interest in science-related fields of study.  Previous fellowship recipients are not eligible.  Once students are selected to participate in the program, they must obtain a working permit. The student’s high school can assist in this process.

Safeguards

In the course of their research, scientists at The Wistar Institute routinely use equipment and biological and chemical substances that may pose certain risks to human health and safety.  The Institute has designed the summer research program for high school students to comply with applicable federal and state regulations for the use of such equipment and substances by minors.  However, because it is impossible to eliminate all of the risks inherent in biomedical research, parents of participating students will be required to sign a permission form which outlines the Institute's research activities and provides consent for their children's participation in these activities.

To apply

Interested students should submit a one-page letter describing their research interest and career goals.  The letter should also include a phone number where the student can be contacted.  A letter of recommendation from a science teacher and a transcript should also be submitted.  The deadline for submission is March 31, 2009.  This material should be sent to:

Dr. William Wunner, Director, High School Training Program
The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104

As part of the selection process, Wistar's High School Committee will interview qualified applicants.

Contact:
Questions regarding this program can be directed to:
Maria Colelli, Coordinator, High School Committee at (215) 898-3774 or
Email: colleli@wistar.org

The Wistar Institute is an independent nonprofit research institution dedicated to discovering the causes and cures for major diseases, including cancer, AIDS, and autoimmune diseases. The Institute is a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center focused on basic and translational research—one of the nation’s first to earn this prestigious designation.  Founded in 1892, Wistar was the first independent institution devoted to medical research and training in the nation. Since the Institute's inception, Wistar scientists have helped to improve world health through the development of vaccines against rabies, rubella, and other viruses; the identification of genes associated with breast, lung, prostate and other cancers; and the development of monoclonal antibodies and other significant research technologies and tools. Located on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, the Institute maintains its status as an independent research institution while enjoying a close relationship with the University as well as the nearby University of Pennsylvania Medical Center and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

.