Local High School Students Collaborate

With UCONN Scientists

 STORRS — Sara Davis of Sandy Hook and Benjamin Roche were among 80 statewide juniors and seniors who participated in the University of Connecticut’s recent 2003 Mentor Connection Program, a three-week research endeavor in which students examined pharmaceutical drug development, studied Mars through a telescope, joined an archaeological dig, and more, side-by-side with University of Connecticut faculty and researchers.

Sponsored by the Neag Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development, the program, now in its eighth year, allows students to not only gain scholarly experience, but also acquire a taste of university life and even potential careers. In addition to science fields, students had the opportunity to partake in studying the content and origins of medieval literature, education study, and engineering by learning invention basics through the design of multipurpose vehicles for use on land, in the air, and on the sea.

University of Connecticut Mentor Connection staff chooses participants in conjunction with district officials. Students identified as ideal candidates for the programs may have talents overlooked because of socioeconomic reasons, among other factors. Funding from a state Department of Education grant and an endowment from University of Connecticut Trustee William Berkley made full and partial scholarships available to nearly 60 of the participants.