Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) Program
UT’s Research In Science & Engineering (RISE) program is an outreach program designed to expose high school students to scientific research. Since the summer of 2010, the RISE program has partnered high school students with active research groups in science and engineering around UT’s campus. Each high school researcher becomes part of a larger team for eight weeks while working on an individualized project that is important to the academic research group. In the program, the students are exposed to a research environment and are expected to contribute to the overall project. In addition, students formally present their work at the end of the program. For many of the students, this opportunity provides the first look into what scientists do on a daily basis and shows them that success is not limited to the well-known career paths of doctors or lawyers.
30 students have participated in the RISE program with cohorts ranging from two to eight students. A majority of the students are local to the Toledo area, though a handful have come from Michigan, the Washington, DC area and California. The local students have come from the Toledo Public School (TPS) system and from the outlying areas, with a preference given to TPS students.
Projects have included developing processing methods for carbon nanotubes, fabricating and testing solar cells, building a clean room, investigating the toxicity of metals used in solar cells, exploring cell division of fission yeast, and understanding how regulations affects the local economy. Many of the students convert their projects into science fair posters, and one was an Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Semifinalist and Google Science Fair Finalist. One of the interns published a paper on her work. Click here for a list of projects and departments.
The RISE program has been supported by the National Science Foundation, UT's College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Office of the Dean, the PVIC Endowed Chair, the Ohio Research Scholars Endowed Chair, and the Harold and Helen McMaster Endowed Chair in Photovoltaics.
Summer 2024 Program - We are now taking applications for Summer 2024 RISE program that will run from June 17 - August 2. We expect to accept 6-9 students, depending on funding and availability of mentors. The application deadline is May 1, 2024. Apply Here
Contact – Adam Phillips, Adam.Phillips@utoledo.edu, 419-530-3884