Each summer the Ohio Supercomputer Center hosts two programs that offer Ohio students a hands-on learning STEM experience.
The Summer Institute, which runs from June 12-24, is available to Ohio high school students entering their sophomore, junior or senior year. The students will work in small peer teams while using the supercomputers for practical applications including engineering problems, network forensics and computer game designs.
The Young Women’s Summer Institute runs from July 10 – July 16 and is designed to encourage 7th and 8th grade girls’ interest in math, science, and engineering and introduce them to exciting careers and job opportunities. The girls will solve complex, real-world science and engineering challenges with a team of their peers.
OSC recently sat down with SI Director Brian Guilfoos to ask some questions about the SI and YWSI experience for students.
Q1: What kind of student do you like to see at SI/YWSI?
A1: We're looking for motivated, bright students interested in BOTH science and technology. Students with these traits in the essays score well.
Q2: What does a typical day look like?
A2: Both programs usually take a trip to a lab or location on campus. YWSI will also spend time at local metro parks. Students spend most of the day working on their assigned scientific project. Optional evening activities, including a movie and a scavenger hunt are also offered.
Q3: What kinds of careers will I get to explore?
A3: SI students will understand a university research scientist's life and YWSI will meet female scientists from a variety of fields. You'll certainly learn about working at a supercomputer at OSC. You'll also be able to pick the brains of systems architects, leadership, user support, grad students, professors and scientists.
Q4: Will I be mostly observing or will I get to do some hands-on work?
A4: It's mostly hands-on work! The activities are for all levels of experience to solve a simulation, modeling or real-world science problem.
Q5: What’s one of the coolest things SI/YWSI participants experience?
A5: Seeing the physical aspect of supercomputer work. Last year SI/YWSI visited the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center’s ice cores in a huge -30 degree freezer.
Q6: What will I walk away with at the end of SI/YWSI?
A6: Accomplishment of a computational science task, and exposure to options that might be available should you pursue a research career. Girls from YWSI will walk away with an introduction to exciting STEM careers and the accomplishment of solving a real-world scientific problem using advanced technology.
OSC is currently accepting applications for both SI(link sends e-mail) and YWSI(link sends e-mail).For more updates on these programs, be sure to follow them on Twitter @OSC_SummerSTEM(link sends e-mail) or Facebook(link sends e-mail).
