BELFAST – An innovative three-week STEM research course for high school students will be offered by the University of Maine June 24 to July 12 at the UMaine Hutchinson Center in Belfast.

The tuition-free class, part of the UMaine Aspirations Program, will meet Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:15 a.m. to noon. High school students will earn three college credits upon completion of the course.

Introduction to Integrated Science and Career Exploration (INT 188) is an early college lab course designed to introduce high school students to higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  The course includes 38 hours of course and lab work in which students undertake a guided research project with peers. Students also participate in eight hours of job shadowing and career planning with local STEM-related businesses. There will be two research topics – Environmental chemistry: Wayward molecules in the environment, and Environmental biology: How do organisms respond to their environment?

A limited number of need-based stipends in the amount of $750 are available to eligible students through an Early College STEM Block Grant.  To qualify, students must complete INT 188 at the Hutchinson Center and one additional 3 or 4 credit course offered at the Hutchinson Center, Orono campus or online during Summer University 2019, and earn a C- or above in each course.  To request a Stipend Application, please contact Allison Small, Early College Coordinator, at 207.581.8004.  Preference is given to students residing in Waldo County. 

Course instructors Susan Therio and Dave Thomas are UMaine adjunct faculty members teaching chemistry and oceanography courses, respectively. Prior to coming to UMaine,  Therio was an industry chemist in environmental and hydrocolloid fields. Thomas, a high school science teacher for over 18 years, spent four years as a research technician in northern Wisconsin and Michigan studying ecological changes.

To register, contact Allison Small, (207) 338-8004; allison.small@maine.edu. For more information about the course contact Molly Schauffler, (207) 338-8038; mschauff@maine.edu.