Sunday, September 29th Applicant Update
Thank you to all students who applied to our Fall 2024 Environmental Science Immersion Program. From Sunday, September 29th to Tuesday, October 1st we will be working to send out acceptance emails to as many students as possible. Afterward, later in the week we may take additional students off the waiting list. We know several high schools were only able to share the program in the final days of the recruitment period, and decided to extend an application grace period until the evening of Wednesday, October 2nd so all students have a fair chance to apply. Application decisions are largely based on the number of spaces available with high school juniors and seniors given higher priority because this could be their last chance to enroll in the program. We highly encourage students who do not hear back from us to reapply for the program in the future and we will run additional sessions of the 9 Saturday afternoon program in Spring 2025. The dates and details of the program will be updated on our website by November 1st.
9 Saturday Afternoon Sessions: 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23, 11/30
Session A: 1 – 4pm PST
Online Location: Zoom Virtual Classroom
HST (Session A – 10am to 1pm)
CST (Session A – 3pm to 6pm)
MST (Session A – 2pm to 5pm)
EST (Session A – 4pm to 7pm )
Have you ever wondered how we know which species are endangered? How air pollution affects the lives of both humans and wildlife? Why is recycling harder than it seems?This Fall, we’ll explore these topics and many others as we consider your future opportunities in the Environmental Sciences field. We’ll hear from professionals such as an environmental engineer, an air pollution specialist, a natural resources planner, and a wildlife biologist. Each student will take part in a group project researching an ecological issue and brainstorming solutions as a team. We’ll also explore topics like biodiversity, ecosystem services, pollution, and waste management in interactive workshops. This field is interdisciplinary with core concepts in chemistry, physics, biology, ecology and geology, allowing students to pursue their interests. We will explore what resources colleges can offer to aspiring environmental scientists and how you can work to find research experience and internships in the field. E-SIP will be a fun way for high school students to learn more about their future opportunities in making a positive impact on the environment!
All photos shown above are from Summer 2024 E-SIP
Core Components of Fall 2024 E-SIP
– Environmental Speaker Talks & Q/A –
We’ll hear from Environmental professionals such as engineers, botanists, planners, and more. Each speaker will talk about their career and provide a glimpse of their daily work as scientists. After each presentation we’ll have the chance to ask questions and learn more about the professional and personal backgrounds of our speakers. Through our speakers, we’ll explore the diverse array of career opportunities for students in environmental science.
– College & Career Pathways –
As students learn more about their interests through E-SIP, we’ll discuss the environmental career pathways students can pursue while fulfilling their goals. We’ll explore college admissions as well as how to create an enriching college experience, such as finding research experience and internships in the field. Students will also learn how to create an effective resume and cover letter for these environmental science internships and jobs.
– Discussion Based Workshops –
Students will engage with a wide array of workshop topics that both provide a foundation in environmental science and help students brainstorm solutions. These include building blocks of ecology such as biodiversity and pollution. Workshops will include discussions and activities to enhance student learning and will show the connection between humans and the planet on which we live.
– Collaborative Research Group Project –
Students will work in small groups to research an environmental problem throughout E-SIP, practicing skills such as teamwork, scientific research, and problem-solving. This project will culminate in each group presenting their research and solutions to the problem, giving them real-world environmental science applications.
E-SIP Program Staff
Rebekah Hellesto
E-SIP Program Facilitator
Rebekah Hellesto is a Wildlife Biologist with a passion for teaching environmental science and the importance of our natural resources. She holds a bachelor’s degree (Purdue University) and master’s degree (Washington State University) in environmental science, with a focus on mammalogy and wildlife management. In between her degrees, Rebekah had the opportunity to work with and research wildlife across the country, including deer, wolves, and bears. As a graduate student, Rebekah instructed an Introduction to Environmental Science class and discovered a love for teaching and getting students interested in natural resources. She is excited to share the many career opportunities within environmental science with students in the E-SIP program.
Cherona Levy
E-SIP Program Advisor
Cherona Levy is an Environmental Engineer with over a decade of experience in environmental regulation, consulting, and education. Cherona holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Florida with a focus on water and sustainable resources. Cherona had the opportunity to serve a two-year term as an AmeriCorps member for non-profits on community relations, program development and environmental education programs for K-12 students and incoming college freshmen students. It was during similar to E-SIP, where Cherona was first exposed to STEM programs and educational outreach. She looks forward to continuing cultivating a community where students can explore career options in STEM.
Fall 2024 EIP Intro Video
The video below was made by our Engineering Immersion Program team and showcases clips from actual 2024 E-IP speaker talks and program workshops. The visual showcase allows students to get an idea of what E-IP will look like in Fall 2024.
9 Saturday Afternoon E- SIP Program Snapshot
General Overview Flyer
Fall 2024 E-SIP Flyer
Fall 2024 E-SIP Attendance
Students are encouraged to attend all nine weekly sessions, but are allowed a maximum of two absences in the 9 Saturday afternoon program.