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Active Learning Labs

EnviroSTAR: Environmental Science, Technology And Research

Dates: July 24 - 28, 2023

Location: Science and Engineering Complex (SEC), 150 Western Ave, Allston MA  

Application: We are no longer accepting applications for 2023.

The program application requires basic contact information, the name of a reference for us to contact (teacher/counselor), and a series of short-answer essays questions:

  1. Clearly state your interests in this program. Elaborate on how this program might influence your future studies, research, and/or academic pursuits. Where applicable, be sure to include any courses or experiences that could relate to this program. Please do not exceed 300 words.
  2. What are some environmental issues you are passionate about? This could be something you learned about in class, on the news, etc., that you’re curious about. Please do not exceed 300 words.
  3. Tell us about a favorite class you’ve taken and why you liked it. (The class does not have to be a science class!) Please do not exceed 200 words.

The EnviroSTAR summer program is designed to introduce talented and self-motivated high school students to Environmental Engineering education at Harvard University. Students will learn water engineering challenges and techniques in a state-of-the-art research lab at the engineering campus in Allston. In addition to collecting field samples and performing experiments, students will engage with Harvard researchers to learn about the global impacts of pollution.

Program Overview

The program will run Monday - Friday from 9 AM - 4:30 PM. Housing and transportation to and from the SEC are not provided by Harvard University.  Students must be at least 16 years old to participate. Harvard University requires all participants to have received FDA- or WHO-authorized COVID-19 vaccinations and one booster.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until May 31st.  Admission is highly competitive, and applicants are evaluated based on their enthusiasm for learning (versus prior experience). We encourage local high school students who are interested in environmental science to apply.

Topics covered in the program include:

  • Field work for sample collection
  • Water chemistry
  • Microplastics
  • Management of water supply systems
  • Components of a water filtration system
  • Design engineering process

 

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