Program Summary
The Young Scholars Program (YSP) offers rising high school juniors and seniors** the opportunity to perform research with CURENT faculty and graduate students for four weeks during the summer. This program does not offer payment, but opportunities to earn recommendation letters are possible.
**Rising sophomores will be considered but only a limited number of students will be accepted. Priority is given to rising juniors and seniors.
Objectives
- To allow students a hands-on experience in CURENT labs working with researchers.
- To expose students to numerous academic and career opportunities in engineering.
- To give students the chance to use research performed at CURENT to present and submit to local and state-level science and technology fairs.
Research Areas
Young scholars will be able to choose from a variety of research areas. Broad areas include electrical engineering fundamentals, smart grid technology, and renewable energy. Additional in-depth topics include some of the following:
- Power Systems
- Power Electronics
- Data Visualization
- Smart Grid/Smart Home Design
- Power Markets
- Electric Vehicles
- Energy Harvesting
- Biomedical Devices
- Emerging Materials
- Social-Behavioral Issues of Energy Use
Expectations
- Summer students are expected to devote 35-40 hours per week for 4 weeks. Due to the demanding nature of this program, we do not allow time off for vacations, etc. except under certain circumstances.
- Students are expected to maintain a professional demeanor while on campus, and exercise caution when using lab equipment.
- All Young Scholars will be required to create a poster highlighting research, and each poster will be presented to faculty towards the end of the term.
- Participants must provide their own transportation to our campus.
Application Requirements
- We must have written permission from a parent in order for a student to participate.
- Unofficial transcript and 2 letters of recommendations from science and/or math teachers are required.
Commitment to Diversity
The Center is committed to promoting diversity within science and engineering. We especially encourage women, students from underrepresented groups (African American, Native American, Hispanic/Latino, Pacific Islander), and students with disabilities to apply for the Young Scholars Program.
