The Program
The Iowa First Nations Summer Program is a two-week residential life science program at the University of Iowa. This program focuses on chemistry and biotechnology. The students are furnished with lab space from the College of Medicine in the Medical Education department to conduct experiments necessary for their projects which expands rudimentary or basic understanding of several basic major chemical concepts. Experimentation is crucial to any study of science and so is research. The students attend daily classes and are divided into small, manageable groups called Clans. Each Clan is required to research a specific application of chemistry and report not only to lab mates but also to others who may be interested in your research topic.
The research project will have two components. One is a visual presentation that represents the area of chemistry researched. The second component is to write a mini-journal article describing the importance of the area of chemistry in which the research is done.
In addition to the research, the students visit various University of Iowa departments that are science related. For example, they will visit the Internal Medicine department at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, the College of Pharmacy to perform a Lotion Lab, the College of Nursing Simulation Lab.
Technology is an integral part of this program. Students are required to apply technology to their regular coursework and to develop computer presentations about their research projects.
Program History
The Iowa First Nations (IFN) Comprehensive Enrichment Program is a continuation of one of the sixteen original American Indian Science & Engineering (AISES) Comprehensive Enrichment Programs (CEP) which were established in 1988. With the support of several universities throughout the country, the primary focus of these programs was to encourage more Native Americans in their secondary years of education to seek professional careers in the science and engineering related fields. The University of Iowa began its participation with the first Life Science program in 1990. After AISES discontinued its participation in support of high school summer programs in 1998, The University of Iowa (UI) continued its support of life science education through this program.
The success of this program is due to the many contributions and support of many University of Iowa departments and offices, the State of Iowa, the City of Iowa City, all of the Native American tribes involved, and the devotion of all the people that donate their time and energy to support this wonderful and unique opportunity.
Program Dates
June 13-27, 2009
Eligibility and Admission
Students with some lab experience and science background and entering 9th through 11th grade are eligible to attend.
Download IFN Summer Program Application
Costs
A $25 program fee will be charged to all program participants. If you can not pay the $25 program fee, scholarships are available. Please contact Marisa Moore for more information, 319-335-0591 or
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.
Travel
Students are expected to pay their own travel costs to and from the program. Financial assistance for travel costs may be available for those students who demonstrate need. This assistance will be awarded on a case-by-case basis. Students who fly to Iowa will be escorted to and from the airport by the program's Resident Assistants. It may be possible to arrange a charter bus on a case-by-case basis for groups traveling from a concentrated area.
Housing and Meals
Students will live on campus in The University of Iowa residence halls, sharing an air-conditioned room with another program participant. Students have a full board plan in the newly remodeled cafeteria in Burge Hall. Students are supervised by two male and two female Resident Assistants.
Social and Recreational Activities
When the students are not doing class work, they are participating in social and/or other academic activities. These activities include movie nights, basketball games, a trip to a waterpark, scrapbooking sessions, etc.
Schedule and Supervision
Students will be in class or on field trips from 9 AM to approximately 3 PM every weekday. During this time, students will be supervised by the instructor and teaching assistant. In the evenings, students will attend mandatory academic activities (such as computer classes, career panels, faculty seminars, ethic discussions, etc.) or mandatory social activities (such as IMAX movies, ice skating, etc.) During this time, students are supervised by their Resident Assistants. On weekends, students will be supervised by their Resident Assistants during structured recreational activities. At night students will have a curfew which will be strictly enforced by the Resident Assistants. The Resident Assistants will transport students to and from social activities and the various field trips. Students will have some unsupervised free time. During those times when they are not directly supervised, they are required to be with at least two other students in the program and they are required to notify a resident assistant as to where they are going and when they will return.
