Summer Geoscience Expeditions & Internships
What is a “geo”?
A “geo” works or does research in the geosciences. Geosciences means all of the STEM disciplines that study air, earth, rocks, oceans, water, weather and other parts of the natural environment. A geoscientist can also mean someone who studies how environmental problems affect human health.
About the Program
This high school student science enrichment program is a partnership between the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment, UNC-Pembroke, and Robeson Early College High School. This program is free for students; financial support is provided by Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
This program is designed for students to:
- Connect with and learn from geoscientists who live and work in North Carolina
- Engage with other high school students interested in geoscience or STEM
- Investigate the natural world through fun field trips and hands-on activities
- Prepare for a job, career, or college degree in geoscience or STEM
Program Details
Robeson County students can apply to two different tracks: Summer Expeditions (2-week program for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students) or Summer Internships (5-week program for rising 12th (or RECHS 13th ) grade students).
Information Session
Wednesday, April 6 at 6pm
Zoom link: https://unc.zoom.us/j/99090834443
Program Dates
June 13-24, IN-PERSON at RECHS, 10am-4pm
Note: This program is planning to meet in-person. If this changes, the program will move online.
Location
Robeson Early College High School (RECHS) at Robeson Community College
Eligibility
Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade Robeson County students with priority given to RECHS students
Students receive
Lunch and snacks for in-person week plus $200 Amazon gift card
Cost
No cost for students
Application
- Please prepare to answer the following questions on your application:
- Nominating teacher or adult mentor and email address (not a family member)
- Why are you interested in participating in this program? (1 paragraph)
- What environmental topic are you interested in learning more about? (1 paragraph)
- Application deadline has been extended to April 27 at 11:59pm
Information Session
Thursday, April 7 at 6pm
Zoom link: https://unc.zoom.us/j/91434474007
Program Dates
- June 27-July 1, IN-PERSON at RECHS, 10am-3pm
- July 5-29, IN-PERSON internship at UNC-Chapel Hill
- August 1, Student Showcase at RCC or UNC-Pembroke
Location
RECHS (week 1) and UNC-Chapel Hill (weeks 2-5)
Eligibility
Rising 12th grade (or RECHS 13th grade) Robeson County students with priority given to RECHS students. Students must be 18 years old to come to UNC-CH. Students who are 17 years old may apply and every effort will be made to place them in a local internship.
Students receive
Lunch and snacks for in-person events, four weeks of housing at UNC-Chapel Hill, and $1,275 stipend
Cost
No cost for students
Housing
Will be provided on-campus at UNC-Chapel Hill. Students will have single occupancy rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. An undergraduate or graduate student will live with students on campus to provide supervision and support.
Application
- To participate in this program, you must be nominated by a teacher or adult mentor (not a family member). Please share the program information with a teacher/mentor who knows you well and, if they wish to nominate you, ask them to email Megan Hughes at meganhughes@unc.edu. We will then contact your teacher/mentor for more information.
- Students who have not spent much time away from home are encouraged to apply with a friend or small group. Please let your teacher/mentor know that you are applying as a pair or group.
- Nomination deadline: April 15, 2022
Health and Safety Precautions
Protection of Minors: This program is registered with the Protection of Minors on Campus office at UNC-Chapel Hill and follows all requirements for youth camps and programs.
COVID-19 Safety: All in-person program components will follow current University, state and federal health guidelines and apply a range of safety measures to mitigate health risks, including:
- Physical distancing
- Requiring properly worn face coverings
- Smaller class sizes
- Leading activities outdoors as much as possible
- Increasing sanitation efforts
- If indoors, leaving doors and windows open to increase air exchange
Please note that in-person programs are subject to change, rescheduling or cancellation depending on COVID-19 restrictions.
Program Contacts
Megan Hughes, UNC-Chapel Hill
meganhughes@unc.edu
Dr. Steven Singletary, UNC-Pembroke
steven.singletary@uncp.edu
Keenan Locklear, Robeson Early College High School
keenan.locklear@robeson.k12.nc.us
Victoria Triana, UNC-Chapel Hill (Spanish speaking contact)
vtriana@email.unc.edu
Many thanks to Mr. Marco Zarate of NC Society of Hispanic Professionals for Spanish translation assistance.