Summer Outreach Programs

Drexel offers a number of unique opportunities for summer research.  Our laboratory participates in a number of these programs:

Students Tackling Advanced Research (STAR): Elite students from the freshman class at Drexel are given the opportunity to spend ten weeks of paid internship in a research laboratory at the university.  I have advised two STAR students, and was a STAR fellow back in 2005.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Teachers (RET): High school science teachers are given the opportunity to experience research in a laboratory setting, and then given the freedom to develop custom cirriculum based on their experiences.  I have advised four NSF RET teachers.

M. Watson, M. Skief, J. P. Coyle, and A. K. Fontecchio, “Analysis of Thiol-ene H-PDLC Films”. Drexel University RET Poster Session 2007, August 2007.

M. Watson, J. P. Coyle, and A. K. Fontecchio, “Measuring Switching Time in the High School Classroom: A Graduate-Level Exercise” Drexel University RET Poster Session 2008, August 2008.

NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU): This program is similar to the NSF RET, but the research experience is for the entire summer, as opposed to 5 weeks for teachers. I have advised one NSF REU.

A. Bowring, J. P. Coyle, and A. K. Fontecchio, “Synthesis & Characterization of Conductive Thin Films for use in Organic Electronics and Solar Devices.” Drexel University REU Poster Session 2008, August 2008.

Drexel Summer Mentorship: This program provides research opportunities for high school students.  It is a multi-week residential camp-like experience in which students experience cutting edge research to help them make wise career decisions.  I have been a counselor for this program, the program coordinator for one year and have advised 4 students from this program.