ISU biology students share interests with prep pupils

Idaho State University biology graduate students are sharing their love of science and research with southeast Idaho high school students who are gaining valuable experience completing university-level projects.

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According to a press release, the Biology Youth Research Program, a volunteer program operated by ISU biological sciences department graduate students, provides research opportunities for up to 10 students during summer sessions and the fall and spring semesters, according to a press release from University Relations.

"The high school students receive practical training as professional technicians for the lab they are in," said Rene Horton, ISU biology doctoral student and program director. "They earn college credit, learn job skills and receive excellent résumé fodder.

"The high school students are working on graduate student projects, something most students don’t do until they are at the master’s level in college," Horton continued. "They aren’t just washing beakers. They are becoming junior researchers who are encouraged to design experiments with graduate students in specific areas of study."

This year, three high school students – Aman Rasad, Eugene

Sato and Joe Delahanty – mentored by ISU biology graduate student Janet Bala won first place at the Idaho Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting for their undergraduate research poster, "Effect of nutrient limitations on floral biomass on gynoecious geraniums."

Delahanty, a junior at Century High School, also participated in the ISU Bioinformatics Academy this summer. He said participating in the program was a worthwhile experience.

"I thought participating in the research was fun, and it would be for anyone else interested in biology," he said.

So far, most participating students in the second-year program have come from Pocatello and Blackfoot, but the program is open to students throughout eastern Idaho.

"The graduate students who are participating in this program are not being paid," Horton said. "We are doing it because research is fun and we love it, and we want to share our skills and mentor interested high school students. The fundamental benefit of the program is the complementary benefits for mentors and students."

The program is a field- and laboratory-based research experience for high school students who are paired with graduate student mentors from the ISU department of biological sciences to work on experiments directly pertaining to graduate students’ thesis work.

Laboratory research is performed in the ISU Gale Life Science and associated buildings. Field research is performed at various locations around the Intermountain West, and can involve extended trips, including road travel and camping.

Per semester, participants earn a 291-level college research credit, full scholarships for credit in the form of no tuition costs, campus privileges such as entrance into Reed Gymnasium, and references for future college applications and employment.

The scholarships for credit are not guaranteed, however, and the program will accept donations.

Summer program research sessions are ongoing. The deadline for applying for fall semester positions is Sept. 17. For more information, visit http://www.byrp.isu.edu, e-mail .