Project SEED – Dr. Ingrid Montes-González

The American Chemical Society has an educational program, Project SEED, whose purpose is to encourage economically disadvantaged high school students to pursue career opportunities in the chemistry related sciences. The program consists of an 8-week science project, during the summer, in research laboratories at a university. The program gives the students the opportunity to experience scientific research first hand, where enthusiastic scientists individually mentor the students.

In 2011 the Project SEED was implemented in Puerto Rico at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus (UPR-RP). Since then Dr. Ingrid Montes, has been the program coordinator. This program has been very successful, winning the ChemLuminary Award in 2016. Annually, around on hundred of applications are received from students interested in participating in the program, but unfortunately, the number of students that can participate is limited due to budget constraints. However, the number of participants has been increasing from four in 2011, 2012 and 2014, to eight in 2015, fourteen in 2016 and twelve during the last two years. Researchers from the UPR-RP Departments of Chemistry and Biology and from the UPR Medical Sciences Campus have participated as mentors for the program. In addition to their research responsibilities, these students are exposed to different workshops and trainings. They also have to complete four modules of the CITI Program (COLLABORATIVE INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING INITIATIVE) in order to be allowed to work in the new UPR Molecular Sciences Research Center.

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[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last]Video presentation of Project SEED Puerto Rico[/two_third_last]

During the closing activity, all students present fifteen minutes oral presentation on their research project and answer questions from the audience. Over 100 persons attend this activity. The audience is always diverse and includes relatives, their high school teachers, undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and representatives from our sponsors.

In the closing activity all students receive a medal and a certificate for their outstanding performance in the program. Each Mentor presents the medal and talks about the achievements of their student. At the end of the activity, and in a very touching way, some parents, and teachers also add some thoughts and acknowledgments to mentors, sponsors and the program coordinator.

This year the ACS SEED Program is celebrating its 50th anniversary; we need your support to continue expanding this outstanding program. Please donate!