Julissa Higgins, a rising senior at Miami Lakes Educational Center's (MLEC) Cambridge Academy, is enjoying a busy and productive summer. She was selected for two exciting summer programs, one at the University of Miami (UM) and the other at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
At UM, the High School Scholars Research Program (HHMI) is an exciting opportunity for students with a passion for science to gain hands-on experience in research. Students work in teams to conduct biomedical research in the areas of biology, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, opthalmology and other research areas tailored to students' interests and experience.
Over the course of seven weeks, students, including Higgins, will be mentored by UM professors, prepare an investigative project and research report suitable for publication and give an oral presentation at a UM research symposium.
At MIT, Higgins will participate in the Educational Studies Program (ESP) and take courses taught by MIT faulty, MIT students, alumni and community members. The program invites all students to enjoy non-academic and advanced academic classes which vary with assignments such as duct tape designs and bottle rockets, to building operating systems and quantum mechanics. The result is a unique, dynamic curriculum and an atmosphere of unparalleled energy.