Summer Internships and Study
Compiled by Katarzyna Kozanecka and Rob Luchow
Each summer, New York City students of all ages can choose
from countless work or study opportunities. These range from
science research internships to creative writing classes. Many
are free, but some require applications, so be sure to check
for deadlines. Education Update has compiled a list of these
programs. For more ideas, students may consult The New York
City Youth Guide to Summer Fun 2003 at www.nyc.gov, or call
the Summer Youth Employment Program at 212-442-2029.
Classes in the Galleries of the Met:
Rika Burnham and Randolph Williams teach free classes for students
in grades 6 through 12 in the galleries of the Metropolitan
Museum of Art. The History of Art (Tuesdays and Thursdays,
July 15—August 7, 1 P.M.—3 P.M.) surveys masterpieces
of Western art. Looking and Drawing in the Galleries (Tuesday—Friday,
August 5—8, 1 P.M.—3 P.M.) teaches students that
studying the fundamentals of drawing leads to understanding
works of art. Walking on the Roof (August
13, 10 A.M.—1
P.M.) takes students to the Museum’s roof garden to
sketch and discuss six sculptures by pop artist Roy Lichtenstein.
For a complete schedule of classes, call 212-570-3961.
Rockefeller Science Outreach Program:
Each summer, over 50 high school students participate in the
Rockefeller Science Outreach program. Collaborating with
a mentor, students become immersed in scientific research
at the Rockefeller University where they get to use actual
laboratories. Best of all: it’s free.
“We offer the highest quality one-on-one mentored research
experience,” said Dr. Bonnie Kaiser, director of the
program. The program is open to all students and boasts a diverse
population of students from public, private, and parochial
schools. They actively engage in learning research skills in
various science departments including human genetics, biochemistry,
physics, and computer sciences. With over 80 graduate-level
laboratories, the program offers to students the latest and
most advanced research facilities along with a skilled mentor.
“What most people don’t understand is that these
students are doing real research,” Kaiser said. “This
program has given me insight to the life of a scientist,” said
Adrian Ross, a senior at Horace Mann High School who is working
on gene and cell research at the program. “I have been
placed in to a fabulous lab that both challenges me intellectually
and appreciates my contribution to the scientific process.”
Because of the free tuition, availability
to the program is limited and does require an application.
According to the program’s
website, about one in five is accepted. For more information
visit the Rockefeller Science Outreach Program at www.rockefeller.edu/outreach.
Summer Playwriting Institute:
Young Playwrights, Inc. and the Brooklyn Public Library are
co-sponsoring summer courses for students between the ages
of 13 and 18. Focusing on such facets as character, setting,
and conflict, students will learn how to develop their own
work and revise work already in-progress. The Summer Playwriting
Institute offers weekend intensive courses for $75 and weeklong
courses for $125. Students can take advantage of a work-study
program, which allows them to work in the Young Playwrights’ office
in exchange for participating in the class. The classes are
held either in Brooklyn’s Central Library at Grand
Army Plaza or in the YPI office, 306 West 38th Street, suite
300. For more info: visit www.youngplaywrights.org.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center welcomes volunteers
of any age to escort patients, deliver flowers, staff the library,
and act as couriers. Students are expected to make a commitment
to participate for one summer or semester. A minimum of six
hours of service are required each month. Bilingual volunteers
are especially needed. For more information, call the Department
of Volunteer Resources at 212.639.5980.
Camp Haverim and
Camp Dream Street: For students interested in counselor experience combined
with volunteerism, the JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, NJ
offers two camps where counselors can play an important role
in children’s lives. Camp
Haverim runs for two weeks from August 14 to 22 and provides
a day camp experience for children with autism. Ages four to
12, these children participate in academic and social skills
training along with activities like athletics, art, dance,
and cooking. With a teacher-student ratio of one to one, the
assistant teachers work closely with the campers.
Camp Dream Street is a one-week camping experience for children
ages four to 14 with cancer and other blood disorders. Established
by the Dream Street Foundation along with sponsorships by four
New York area hospitals, the camp offers these children a fun
and enjoyable experience. The camp runs from August
18 to August 22.
Volunteer and paid positions are available. For Camp Haverim,
contact Cheryl Edelstein at 201-569-7900 ext. 302. For Camp
Dream Street call Lisa Robins at 201-569-79200 ext. 381. For
more information, visit www.jcconthepalisades.org.
NASA Research in
New York City: This summer, a new program
from NASA and the Goddard Institute for Space Studies offers
high school students an opportunity to study outer space. As
part of the New York City Metropolitan Area Research Initiative,
this program allows students to assist NASA scientists and
researchers in different scientific arenas from space vehicle
architecture to the effects of the human body in space.
The program originated in 1980 as the Summer High School Apprenticeship
Research Program (SHARP). Initiated by a presidential directive,
it aimed to open up research and laboratories to students traditionally
underrepresented in the fields of science, mathematics, and
engineering. However, the program is open students of all backgrounds
and encourages all students to apply. Students involved in
the program will be assigned to a research team. Over the course
of the summer, the student partakes in hands-on research and
learns how to understand and present data. The program accepts
400 students annually. It boasts that 90 percent of their students
graduate from college and some continue their work as NASA
scientists. For more info: visit www.nasasharp.com.#
