Category: News/Features

By Teresa Fang, Stentorian Editor-In-Chief

Do you like science? A fiery passion to get in the lab or see what your future career could be?

It might be time for an internship.

High school students, primarily seniors, are expected to do a great deal: college applications, community service, sports, clubs, classes, and now, internships. At the college level, internships can dramatically increase employment potential, as a 2024 report of internship programs by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that 52.7 percent of interns received a job offer (although this conversion rate is less than it was pre-pandemic). At the high school level, internships are still catching on — a 2020 study by the American Student Assistance cites that only two percent of high school students had completed internships.

High school students are looking toward the future with a mix of hope and uncertainty. While the prospect of taking on a high-level internship sounds exciting, it may also be a large investment of time and effort, as well as a source of stress.

The good news is that NCSSM offers their flagship Research and Mentorship programs (including the Summer Research and Innovation Program, or SRIP, directed by Dr. Sarah Shoemaker and the NCSSM Mentorship and Research office), which ⅔ of the student body is involved in, offering semester-long to yearlong opportunities to get ahead of the game. Finding an internship can be complicated, especially when you’re independently seeking out a research opportunity or choosing one in a field you’ve never been in but fits your goals. 

Beyond securing an internship position, ensuring that you’ll get the experience you’re hoping for is yet another consideration – it’s hard to know what exactly to expect before you begin.

What types of internship opportunities are available for high school students?

If you have a field you enjoy (regardless of how broad or specific a topic), the first step in your internship journey is deciding what type of internship is right for you. There are two primary options for high school student internships: a research internship where you work with a mentor or a structured academic program.

1. Independent Research Internship

In an independently organized internship, you’ll most likely find yourself cold-emailing professors and requesting a position with them. Once you successfully find a mentor, you’ll usually work together to plan out the length of your internships, what your responsibilities and tasks will be, and how they’ll support you throughout your work.

One key pro of an independent internship is the greater freedom and flexibility for more self-designed work, as you’ll play a role in scheduling the internship timeline, coordinating tasks, and communicating what you hope to accomplish through the internship. This gives you a chance to develop individual projects with meaningful results, which makes you eligible to submit to science fairs, competitions, or research journals.

However, the biggest downside is also connected to that strength. If you aren’t already well-versed in the field of research, it can be a struggle to develop and coordinate your tasks and goals.

2. Formal Internship Program

With formal internship programs, you will have to apply and be selected to participate in that opportunity, which is typically affiliated with universities and other organizations (private and nonprofit) and has a designated timeline, subject matter, and faculty/mentors. Most importantly, they can be a great way to build academic skills and learn advanced subjects.

Once in, the opportunity to build connections with that school/organization is wide open. Some of these programs are held on-site at the university, meaning you’ll be able to experience college life: living on-campus, working at university labs and classrooms, and interacting with current students and professors. Programs usually have an established reputation and history, so mentors and people you network with may show you a good face. Sometimes, these programs may increase your chances of acceptance or at the very least, consider your attendance as demonstrated interest.

However, while you can sit back and trust the program’s structure after you get in, getting accepted is the hard part. You’ll be in a competitive application pool. These applications often have extensive requirements such as submitting transcripts, writing essays, and obtaining letters of recommendation. Even when you get in, you’ll have limited autonomy over deciding what, how, or when you want to do something.

Tips for finding the right internship program for you

1. Draw from past results and experiences. Interested in STEM? Check out past science fair winners and their projects, mentors, or other experts. Read about how they got there, and always be willing to reach out and ask for a chat. Consider which specific fields of study are most engaging to you.
2. Be prepared to make multiple attempts. When contacting researchers, remember that they are still working people. They may be overwhelmed with professional emails or other unsolicited emails like yours. If you don’t get a response, it’s not a personal affront; they may not have internship openings open.
3. Don’t reach out without doing your research. Research work will always be oriented toward a specialized topic. Just because you have a general interest in a field does not mean your internship will necessarily touch on your specific goals.
4. Be open-minded and resilient. It is far more common for labs to accept college students or post-docs, as opening the lab to a high schooler can be a risk. What makes your request special? Why should they trust you and your research knowledge/skills? Do you know what you’re doing? These are the questions you would want to answer in your requests.

By Teresa Fang, Stentorian Editor-in-Chief

HEAR YE! THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY OF INFORMATION TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

This is the cover story for Volume XLIV, No. 1 (August 2024) issue, the first issue of the 2024-2025 academic year and the second issue in NCSSM history to have business ads and color-printing.

Over the past 40+ years, the North Carolina School of Science and Math (NCSSM) has worked to create lasting bonds between its students, faculty, and the subjects taught at the school through a world-class STEM curriculum and robust humanities and arts program. Since its founding, NCSSM has been a one-of-a-kind institution that has served as the model for 18 such specialized schools around the globe.

Zooming in on a prestigious reputation, the school is also home to one-of-a-kind memories and lifelong friendships. Especially at this time of year, summer always brings about an abundance of memories, central to the stories and sense of community NCSSM fosters for its students. Most importantly, all the resources are accessible on Blackbaud, Canvas, or a general Google search.

However, as most students find themselves particularly close to one or two departments or groups as the school year progresses, navigating the first week (or month) of NCSSM can be daunting. Icebreakers, club fairs, onslaught of applications… the list of things a student can do here is endless.

The Research Groups

Students who’ve been on a tour of NCSSM with the student ambassadors, will likely remember two things: the ambassadors’ blue jackets, and the different research groups (“RScis”).

One of the first departments established at NCSSM was Biology, located on the 3rd floor of the Bryan building (“3rd Bryan”). Accordingly, the first-ever research group was the Research in Biology group (“RBio”), led by Dr. Amy Sheck, who was initially a Biology instructor before becoming the current Dean of Science. Originally, the group was extremely exclusive, taking on 1-2 students per year. Because of its success, research groups quickly expanded across disciplines to become what we have now with six year-long research groups, each led by seasoned instructors in the fields: RBio, RChem, RPhys, RMath, RCompsci, and RHum. 

Being part of a research group is fulfilling, but tough to get in, as many students apply when applications open in late September. But once in, a journey will quickly begin. Every year, the research groups send out droves of projects for competitions and conferences. In the 2024 competition season, 24 percent (15 out of 63) of the total awards at the North Carolina Science and Engineering Fair (NCSEF) were swept by NCSSM-Durham students; at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), 3 out of the 5 NCSSM students representing North Carolina won Grand Awards.

STEM Departments

While the NCSSM namesake includes “Science and Math,” the total number of STEM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Computer Science, Engineering) courses offered is 131. Compared to the 155 total courses in the humanities (Art, Drama, English & Social Sciences, Music, and World Languages), there is a fairly balanced STEM and Humanities program at NCSSM.

Biology courses often look like a mix between classroom instruction and lab work. Offering 20 diverse courses taught by seven instructors, the biology curriculum is quite flexible for different interests.

Chemistry offers 18 courses, all providing opportunities to get hands-on experiences while dressed in fancy lab garb. While most juniors and seniors get assigned to the AP Chemistry courses as their required chemistry credits, it’s always fun to branch out to more niche chemistry or cross-discipline subjects like organic chemistry.

Physics is one that students tend to either love or hate. While most students say that physics courses are the hardest in the whole school, it depends on a student’s interest level, the specific course taken, and the teacher. But pay attention to the curriculum: for example, the problem-solving process that the 10 instructors teach is a universal skill. Just because you ran up 9 flights of stairs to get to your classroom on time does not mean you have no energy left for physics class.

Tucked away in a cozy space (and in classrooms in the ETC and Hunt), the Engineering and Computer Science classrooms look like a mix between a Lego building garage and a lecture hall. Offering 37 total courses, some cross-disciplinary courses include Biomedical Engineering, Satellite Design, and Cryptography, this department also hosts the school’s rocketry and robotics teams including the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC).

The math department also offers 37 courses, taught by 14 instructors, taking nearly the entire Watts building for classrooms. The math courses have a special block, the “O block,” as the only tutorial hours where students can work directly with the instructors. Around exam week, an influx of coloring sheets plaster the hallways and teachers pass out goodies with words of encouragement, letting students know that learning about numbers is a very human language.

If this range of classes wasn’t diverse enough, the STEM department is looking to create more classes tackling current technological advances and climate issues, according to Dr. Sheck. As students become interested in fluid dynamics and climate change, keep your eyes out for potential fluid dynamics and climate change courses in the future.

Humanities Department

Be careful not to underestimate the Humanities programs, however, as it spans 155 courses taught by 18 instructors. This year, we also have a new Dean of Humanities, Dr. Javier Pabón, filling up the position left by Dr. Elizabeth Moose, who retired last June after 31 years of service to NCSSM.

While many STEM students can compete in prestigious competitions, Humanities students also do and more, demonstrating the power of human thought, shared experiences, and creativity. They tend to make up the majority of Ivy League admits from NCSSM, as Ivies today increasingly require students to be multifaceted. It’s one thing to learn, but it’s better to learn about how to think. Besides that philosophical reason, it’s also good to provide a break for the left brain to focus on reading, making art, playing an instrument, etc.

Counseling

There are many counselors geared towards different things, such as typical high school counseling, college and career, wellness, and academic accessibility. If you need anybody to talk to or answer questions about programs and scholarships, you can count on NCSSM’s 8 counselors, along with the Dean of Counseling Ms. Lori Newnam, and Program Assistant Ms. Pam Oxendine. Don’t know who your counselor is? In the first 2 months of school, you’ll be required to meet them.

ITS and Campus Safety

Contrary to its name, the Smart Bar is not a bar nor a place to get snacks. However, it is the place to go to consult the Information Technology and Systems (ITS) team for all your tech needs. From configuring microscopes to laptops, installing a free Adobe Suite, or providing you alternative devices while your computer is getting fixed, feel free to send in a ticket for all your requests or visit the ITS Wiki for more detailed how-tos. ITS also has a campus service where students can shadow the team and hold down the fort when the staff is off campus.

One of the most friendly faces on campus is Mr. Brian Wiggs, the Director of Campus Safety. With a team of uniformed officers, a dedicated cop, and Emergency Blue Light Boxes on campus 24/7, NCSSM always keeps its eyes out to guard against potential threats, from inclement weather to renovation alerts and drills. If you do not feel safe going somewhere outside, an officer can escort you. While on campus, make sure to keep your Student ID, which has all the important phone numbers on the back, and fob with you. Off-campus, make sure you have signed out with Orah on your phone.

PFM and Library

After its completed renovation in fall 2023, the PFM (the full, unabbreviated name remains a mystery) brings a stark contrast to the dining halls of our alumni, replacing the red brick walls with white paint and modernizing the general vibe with hanging lights and sofas. During Alumni Weekend last October, alumni wandered the dining hall with awe and pointed at new furniture and their old favorite seats. The only constants through the years seem to be the clay artwork at the back of the hall and the different PFM days – Taco Tuesday, Fried Chicken Wednesday, Fish Fry Day, etc. Other than serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same times every weekday (weekend times are different), PFM also holds special events like BBQ on the Bryan Lawn, Super Bowl dinner, and Senior Breakfast.

As a given, the library is a hotspot for students to work independently or for group projects, utilizing all sorts of seating options from rocking chairs to medium-sized study rooms. While it can be loud after 4 p.m., the library is a chill space for working in between classes, or just to have a little conversation with our librarians (Mr. Sharron Johnson is everybody’s best friend). 

Athletics

One good thing about participating in athletics at NCSSM is the welcoming atmosphere; if you’ve never done a sport before but have always wanted to try, now’s the time to do it with no judgment. 

As a 2A school, NCSSM offers 21 varsity sports while the Intramurals program has a 95% participation rate among the student body. A member of the Super Six 1A/2A Conference, we play against East Wake Academy, Falls Lake Academy, Franklin Academy, Raleigh Charter, and Research Triangle High School. Outside of the conference, NCSSM plays against public and private schools in the Research Triangle Area. If you pay attention to the game schedules on Instagram and the GoUnis website, maybe you can watch NCSSM play against your home high school!

NCSSM Student Government and the Student Advisory Board also host a variety of fun events that are not regular sports games, such as after-check Volleyball Lock-Ins and the Watermelon Run. Individual dorms sometimes organize after-check gym events as well.

Student Life & Residential Living

While applying to NCSSM, you probably watched a few “A Day in the Life of an NCSSM Student” blogs on YouTube. Every student has their own perspectives and favorite moments at NCSSM, and we encourage you to make your own.

With 19 residence halls and a Community Coordinator (CC) and Residential Living Assistants (RLAs) in each, students are taken care of both in their life as a student and their life as a neighbor and independent adult-to-be. On the weekdays and weekends, halls may organize field trips to downtown Durham or surrounding areas for fun activities and events like the Farmer’s Market, thrifting, ice skating, sushi-eating contests with other halls, or more. On-campus activities may look like after-check Sip ‘n Paints, stargazing, presentation/movie nights, or more. Check your hall’s activities calendar for the complete list!

On a community level, various clubs and organizations will host events throughout the year, with the most popular being block parties and cultural festivals. The school tends to set up little fairs on various lawns and celebrations on Hill Street, providing free snacks and swag for students to de-stress and socialize. On a more serious note, students also attend College Fairs, Family Day, an end-of-the-year Awards Ceremony, and more.

Clubs

There are 100+ student-led clubs and organizations at NCSSM that can cover your every interest. If there isn’t one yet, chartering one is always possible. Other than the cultural organizations, here are three of the largest and most active clubs on campus:

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA): With 70+ active students every year, FBLA sends a massive team to state and national competitions throughout the year, proving their skills in business and management.

Model United Nations (UN): Emphasizing public speaking, international affairs, and diplomacy, Model UN sends its 50+ members to yearlong conferences at in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities.

Science Olympiad: Almost every NCSSM kid grew up doing Science Olympiad, and NCSSM’s junior varsity and varsity teams are the best of the best. The teams of 30+ students practice/study weekly for their events and almost always compete at the national level.

Student Media

Representing NCSSM’s academic and creative advances and student community are the four following school-sponsored, student-led publications:

The Stentorian: NCSSM’s student-run news source, established in 1981. Operated by a team of 15+ students, the newspaper prints monthly, updates the online news website with articles daily, and serves the NCSSM-Durham and local community. Contributions from any and all students are welcome.

Broad Street Scientific (BSS): NCSSM’s annual student scientific research journal, written by the students and edited by the students. The BSS editorial board accepts research papers every winter, edits them during JTerm, and distributes copies to students, teachers, and donors near the end of school.

Fifth World: NCSSM’s student humanities research journal, also published annually. The namesake of this journal originates in the Hopi creation myth, where the fifth world is the final dimension out of five where peace and harmony are restored to humanity. Likewise, every year the journal is an impressive compilation of stories by students reaching into the ups and downs of humanity.

Blue Mirror: If you have pieces of art or writing that you think are beautiful and should be shared, submit them to NCSSM’s literary magazine, Blue Mirror. This publication prints semesterly and is always met with great enthusiasm at its open artist/author readings. You may laugh, cry, shout, or sing with even more emotions when you hear about the works on each page.

At NCSSM, each department tells a part of the school’s cultural story. We all contribute to our school through our individual experiences, so go make your own memories! As the sun sets and students retire to their dorms, the campus hums with the promise of another day of discovery and growth.