Apprenticeship Program
In September of 2000, the Apprenticeship Program was highlighted on an "Eye on America" segment of the CBS News with Dan Rather. A former mentor of the Apprenticeship Program, Dr. Paul MacCready (named by Time as "One of the 100 Most Influential Thinkers of the 20th Century") said, "If you can unleash the minds of kids... then there is a good chance the world will work." Participants of the Apprenticeship Program unleash their minds when working in real-world environments where they are encouraged to learn creative problem-solving techniques and realize the fullest potential of their intelligence.
As an Apprentice, you will:
- Work with a team of scientists, researchers, artists or industry professionals
- Apply your knowledge and skills in "real world" situations
- Maximize your intellectual and personal potential
- Use your gifts to serve the greater good of society
- Learn creative problem-solving techniques that will translate to any career
- Work in small groups that allow you to develop teambuilding skills
- Develop positive life-changing associations with other highly gifted and creative students and adults
- Make new friends with peers who share your interests, desires, and ambitions
Apprentices reside in dormitories on college and university campuses for the duration of the program. This experience gives participants the opportunity to sample some of the aspects of college life.
The gathering of Apprentices from several different programs in one residential area creates a unique community of highly motivated students where exchange of ideas is encouraged.
Additionally, the location of the Apprenticeship sites allows for exciting exploration of nearby metropolitan areas such as Washington D.C., Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
IEA ensures that Apprentices are supervised by adults throughout the Program. All participants work with mentors and their colleagues during the day. Apprentices are supervised by IEA staff throughout the evening and on the weekends.
Sites & Mentors in 2008
Dates Range from June 29-August 9
PASADENA, CA - June 29-July 19 (3 Weeks), July 20-August 9 (3 Weeks), and June 29-August 9 (6 Weeks)
Pediatric Medical Research at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles – During this six week program (June 29-August 9, 2008), Apprentices will work in the laboratory of Dr. Henri Ford and Dr. Jeffrey Upperman of Pediatric Surgery at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Students will study the pathogenesis of Necrotizing Enterocolitis, a devastating intestinal disease of premature infants. The students will work with experts in intestinal physiology, molecular biology and functional genomics. The focus of the research activity will be to look at molecular pathways that predispose the intestinal barrier to destruction. Students will present their findings at the end of the program to mentors and their colleagues. Prerequisites: courses completed in Biology and/or other sciences, interest in medicine, demonstrated leadership, organization and time-management skills.
Industrial Design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena – The industrial design profession encompasses the fields of product transportation and environmental design. Automobiles, sporting goods, electronics, toys/games, fashion, house wares, medical products, entertainment and furniture are just some of the products that industrial designers create. During this three week program (June 29-July 19, 2008), Apprentices will gain insights into this profession through the undertaking of a design project. Students will learn design methodologies including research, concept development, refinement and final design and presentation. The Apprenticeship will introduce basic sketching and modeling techniques and will include presentations by professional designers and field trips to design offices. Prerequisites: basic skills in sketching or alternate art form, an interest in pursuing art, demonstrated patience, time-management and self-motivation.
Chemical Analysis at the Avery Dennison Research Center in Pasadena - During this three week program (June 29-July 19, 2008), Apprentices will work with a team of scientists to learn how commercial products, such as adhesive labels, reflective films and functional coatings are developed and manufactured. Apprentices will first learn the operation of sophisticated instruments such as the Scanning Electron Microscope, Surface Tensiometer, Infrared Spectrometer, Gas Chromatography and Rheometer. Apprentices will then collect and interpret data, which will allow them to identify the chemical properties of the product as they learn how scientists continually improve products. Through the project, Apprentices will gain a better understanding of chemistry and materials science. Prerequisites: fundamental understanding of Chemistry, interest in science, and demonstrated responsibility.
Tissue Engineering Project at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles – In this six week Apprenticeship site (June 29-August 9, 2008), an Apprentice will have the unique opportunity to explore a mixture of biology and polymer chemistry at the CHLA Saban Research Institute. Under the guidance of Dr. Tracy Grikscheit, this Apprentice will have firsthand research experience in tissue engineering mentored by. Prerequisites: the completion of high school biology and an ability to work independently.
Strategic Planning and Business Development at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles – This six week site (June 29-August 9, 2008) is perfect for the aspiring MBA. Under the direction of Vice President of Strategic Planning and Business Development, Ms. Julie Croner, Apprentices will gain insight into this dynamic field, which works on the most critical business challenges and business development issues. This fast-paced environment requires teamwork, patience, drive and strong research skills. Prerequisites: knowledge of office program software such as Microsoft Excel and good teamwork skills.
Genetic Epidemiology at the Human Genetics Institute at UC San Francisco – In this three week Apprenticeship site (June 29-July 19, 2008), Apprentices will learn how medical detectives use "Numb3rs" like mathematical models to figure out why some people get sick and others don't. You will be working in a "dry" lab using your skills in mathematics to aide genetic researchers in forecasting for the medical community. Prerequisites: strong analytical skills, basic understanding of statistics, and computer programming skills.
Scientific Computing at the California Institute of Technology – Apprentices will work with Dr. Brent Fultz and his group on computational materials physics. For six weeks (June 29-August 9, 2008) Apprentices will learn how a large object-oriented software development project is run, and will help in a number of ways depending upon interest. Previously, such persons have installed, tested and compared graphics programs, tested installation procedures for different computers, looked for inconsistencies in instructions, and provided valuable opinions on what was easy and what was not. For more information on Dr. Fultz’s research on Distributed Data Analysis for Neutron Scattering Experiments, please visit: http://wiki.cacr.caltech.edu/danse/index.php/Main_Page
Prerequisites: prior programming experience.
Applied Physics at the California Institute of Technology – This Apprentice will be engaged in fundamental and applied research in synthesis, properties and processing of electronic materials for use in the electronic and optoelectronic devices and circuits of the 21st century. Electronic materials research is interdisciplinary, involving issues spanning applied physics, physics, materials science, electrical and chemical engineering. This group will include graduate students, research fellows and undergraduates from each of these departments. Dr. Harry Atwater also maintains comprehensive experimental facilities for growth and analysis. (Dates TBA) Prerequisites: course completion in Physics and/or other sciences, and interest in science and ingenuity.
Materials Science at the California Institute of Technology – An Apprentice will work with Dr. Dale Conner. Dr. Conner conducts research on non-equilibrium and metastable materials. During the past decade, his team has developed unusual metallic alloys which fail to crystallize during solidification at low cooling rates, thus forming "bulk" glasses. Research on the liquid alloys includes fundamental studies of rheology, atomic diffusion, crystallization kinetics, liquid/liquid phase separation, and the glass transition. Research on the solid "glassy" materials includes studies of elastic properties, and mechanisms of deformation, flow, and fracture. The group has developed composite materials which employ a metallic glass matrix to achieve unusual combinations of properties for structural engineering applications. (Dates TBA) Prerequisites: course completion of Physics and/or other sciences and an interest in engineering.
Law & Order at the Los Angeles Superior Court – The Apprentices will work at courthouses within Los Angeles County for six weeks (June 29-August 9, 2008) assisting Superior Court Judges and other courthouse staff with their daily duties. Apprentices will sit-in on trials, have opportunities to speak with the Judges about their careers and education, as well as gaining an insiders peek into the reality of the Justice System. A variety of workshops and hands-on tasks will provide an in-depth overview of the Legal System in action. Apprentices may even have an opportunity to meet and speak with high profile Los Angeles attorneys. Prerequisites: interest in Government and Politics, demonstrated leadership, patience and self-motivation.
Pending Sites
Physics and Condensed Matter at the California Institute of Technology – Apprentices with Professor Yeh will experiment in superconductivity, magnetism and other strongly correlated electronic systems, scanning probe microscopy, nano-science/technology, low-temperature phases of helium and development of superconducting cavity-stabilized oscillators. This exciting site is sure to engage young science scholars. Prerequisites: course completion in Physics and/or other sciences.
Mechanics of Materials at the California Institute of Technology – Dr. Chiara Daraio will mentor the Apprentices at this site. Dr. Daraio’s lab interests reside at the interface of materials science, condensed matter physics, and solid mechanics, particularly in the design, development, and testing of multi-scale metamaterials; phononic crystals; responsive soft matter; tunable acoustics; highly nonlinear solitary waves; mechanical and electronic properties of nano and biomaterials; advanced characterization of materials (high resolution TEM, in-situ analysis, FIB, AFM); synthesis, fabrication and assembly of nanomaterials and composite nanostructures. The Apprentices will work on mechanical testing of small scale structures and the wrinkling of membranes. Prerequisites: course completion in sciences and mathematics.
Solid State Ionics at the California Institute of Technology – The Apprentices’ research will center on ionic conduction in solids, with the twin objectives of understanding the mechanisms that govern ion transport, and applying such an understanding to the development of advanced solid electrolytes and novel solid-state electrochemical devices. Technological applications of fast ion conductors include batteries, sensors, ion pumps and fuel cells. Dr. Sossina Haile will serve as mentor for these Apprentices. Prerequisites: course completion in sciences and mathematics.
Sites & Mentors
IEA welcomes your comments, questions and suggestions!
Please email us at Apprenticeship@educationaladvancement.org.
The tuition for the Apprenticeship Program ranges from $3,100 - $5,170, depending on the type and duration of the site. While there is no application fee for the program, if the application is received postmarked on or before April 14th, the applicant will receive a $100 discount off the total cost of tuition. Scholarships, such as the Giesen Scholarship which is awarded to a Pasadena high School Visual Arts and Design Academy student, are available in cases of financial need. Additional financial aid is also available, and financial concerns should not discourage any student from applying. Enrollment packets will be sent after a student is accepted into the program and will include the application for financial aid.
Tuition includes:
- Room and board
- Laboratory fees
- Course materials
- Recreational programs
- Evening entertainment
- Guest lectures
- Weekend activities
Tuition does not include transportation to and from the Apprenticeship Program. Travel arrangements and their associated costs are the responsibility of the family of the Apprentice. IEA provides transportation to and from the airport for Apprentices arriving from out of town. During the program, IEA provides all program-related transportation.
The tuition is paid in two installments. Upon enrollment, a $350 deposit is due to secure the student's space in the program. The remaining balance is due three weeks prior to the commencement of the program site at which the student is placed.
To provide as many students as possible with this opportunity, a limited number of need-based scholarships are available to help cover the cost of tuition and/or travel.
Feedback
Each year, the Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) conducts an extensive evaluation of the Apprenticeship Program. Below are some of the comments extracted from the surveys used during the evaluation period.
Student Survey Reponses
"[I] thought it was going to be strictly academic. However, the social life was much more enjoyable than I expected. I was extremely impressed by the pool of very intelligent but also cool and fun teenagers. Everyone was so easy to get along with."
"I learned a lot about the field of professional chemistry and worked very hard. But it wasn't all work & no play. I was able to learn a lot while meeting a few of the most amazing people ever and having lots of fun doing it."
"I met a lot of really amazing, intelligent and talented new friends. It was both a humbling and inspiring experience, which helped me understand myself a lot better in some ways."
"I gained new friends, the "college experience", and profound knowledge in the field of mechanical engineering. This is important because these opportunities come very rarely."
"Working in a high school lab is one thing, but being able to work in a professional environment with real scientists on legitimate jobs really gave me a feel for being a professional scientist."
"Overall, this was such an amazing experience. I loved every bit of it: from the hands-on experience in the lab working with DNA, to amazing weekend excursions with such awesome people. I was not expecting to receive such an amazing opportunity to explore the field of molecular biology in a lab this summer, but thanks to this program, I did."
"The people were amazing and a lot more fun than I thought they would be. I also learned an incredible amount in and about the field. It amplified my passion for chemistry!"
"I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. Thank you IEA! There really are no words to express how wonderful I thought this program was."
"[I] thought it was going to be strictly academic. However, the social life was much more enjoyable than I expected. I was extremely impressed by the pool of very intelligent but also cool and fun teenagers. Everyone was so easy to get along with."
"I learned a lot about the field of professional chemistry and worked very hard. But it wasn't all work & no play. I was able to learn a lot while meeting a few of the most amazing people ever and having lots of fun doing it."
"After 3 years, my satisfaction for this program is well over measurable satisfaction."
"Total inside look on my desired career choice. Very helpful, can see issues and some other options. Resume is 200X better now."
Parent Survey Reponses
"Being exceptionally gifted, [my son] mostly felt bored at school. He was, however, sufficiently challenged at this apprenticeship program that he said he wouldn't mind if the program were run longer than 3 weeks. He definitely was engaged."
Parent of 2007 Apprentice
"Most importantly, my son had a fantastic time at IEA this summer. He loved his work and had lots of fun and many memories."
Parent of 2007 Apprentice
"Opportunity for students to work in a top-notch academic environment. The hands-on experience is fun and challenging to students. It is a more effective learning than sitting in the classroom, listening to lectures all day."
Parent of 2007 Apprentice
"[My son] benefited by being around other very motivated students & adults. His knowledge & gifts were respected & appreciated. It helped him realize gifts."
Parent of 2007 Apprentice
"His world expanded as a result of your program. The specific work project, the living situation, the social situations, all contributed towards this."
"It was a great program for my son. Challenging and interesting and he had a fun and great time. The tuition was money well spent. The outings were fun too."
Parent of 2007 Apprentice
Mentor Survey Reponses
"One of the great strengths is the high quality of students."
- Dr. Dale Conner, 2007 Mentor
"They [the apprentices] are very talented and eager to learn."
- Dr. Lilian Shum, 2007 Mentor
"The students needed goal oriented projects, and as such I was forced to focus on what questions they could answer in their five week period. As such, I researched feasible projects, and was able to integrate them into a project that may never have happened if they were not here. It is leading to new discoveries and new directions for me."
- Dr. Nikunj Chokshi, 2007 Researcher
"The apprentice learned a wide variety of lab techniques and background knowledge beyond typical classroom curricula. Moreover, he had the opportunity to experience a research environment and to work as a team member in a lab."
- Dr. Nai-Chang Yeh, 2007 Mentor
"I believe I learned more about what the younger generation considers important issues to them. It wasn't what I expected because this was the fist time I mentored someone that young (17) and was surprised about her interest in learning new things."
- Dr. Orlando Valerino, 2007 Mentor
"The two students I followed appeared to gain a huge amount of knowledge and experience in experimental research. Thanks to the attentive supervision of the two graduate students in charge of their training, they were eager to learn, fast in grasping concepts and, by the end of the three weeks, they demonstrated the capacity to handle the theoretical and fundamental knowledge of their field of research orders of magnitude better than when they first came."
- Dr. Chiara Daraio, 2007 Mentor
"I want to express what a valuable program the industrial design workshop was. It was a complete success from a teacher's perspective. The students were highly motivated and intellectually prepared to fully take advantage of the program. As an in-class educator, the Institute's interest in advancing educational matters and developing special programs is greatly needed and appreciated. It is these institutional-educational relationships that are vital in providing and advancing the goals of young students. I am very impressed with the organization."
- Stan Kong, 2001-2007 Mentor
The Institute for Educational Advancement's (IEA) Apprenticeship Program provides gifted high school students with an invaluable and intensive learning experience working in some of the nation's leading universities, corporations and research facilities. For several weeks during the summer, Apprentices work in small groups with other program participants and teams of professionals to gain hands-on experience in real world environments.
Q. Why should I apply to the Apprenticeship Program?
A. You should apply to the Apprenticeship Program if you are interested in gaining hands-on experience working in the field you wish to pursue, if you are excited about the opportunity to experience dorm-living and a taste of college-life, and if you want to be surrounded by your intellectual and creative peers. This program is different from other programs in that you are able to work side-by-side with your mentors on the work they are currently doing versus attending classes.
Q. Am I eligible to apply?
A. You are eligible to apply if 1) you will be an entering sophomore, junior or senior during the 2008-2009 school year, 2) you will be 16 years of age or older by June 29, 2008, and 3) you meet the prerequisites for your preferred site(s).
Q. Do you accept International students?
A. No. At this time, we are unable to accept International students.
Q. I’m an artist, how do I know if I qualify as a gifted student?
A. There is no test score that determines whether you are a gifted artist. As part of our comprehensive application, we require samples of your work to gauge your skill and perspective as an artist. It is important that you submit works you think are the best representation of your artistic abilities.
Q. What is the deadline to apply?
A. The early application deadline is April 14th and the final deadline May 30th.
Q. Are there any advantages to applying early?
A. YES! First, if your application is postmarked by April 14th, you are eligible for a $100 discount on your enrollment fee. Also, we begin placing qualified applicants in sites as soon as we receive applications. So, the sooner you apply, the better your chances of being placed in your site of choice.
Q. When will we be notified of our acceptance and placement into the Apprenticeship Program?
A. Apprentices will be notified of their acceptance into the program and site assignment by early June 2008.
Q. How much does the program cost?
A. The three week program costs $3,100 and the six week program costs $5,170. The program tuition covers the cost of housing, dining, transportation during the program run, and activity admission prices for evening and weekend excursions. The program cost does not include transportation to and from the program or souvenirs.
Q. Is financial aid available?
A. Yes. Upon acceptance into the program, an enrollment packet will be sent out to families, which includes financial aid forms. In some circumstances there are also merit-based scholarships available. All of this information will be included in the enrollment packet.
Q. How likely is it that I will get into my preferred site?
A. All of our sites are highly competitive. The sooner your application is received, the higher preference will be given. Also take care when deciding which samples of work you wish to include with your comprehensive application. The more your work demonstrates success and ability in your field of choice, the better your chances of being placed in your preferred site.
Q. Do you have sites outside of Southern California?
A. Yes. During the 2008 program year, we have sites in Southern California and are working to secure additional mentors in Northern California, as well. We are always willing to open sites where the demand is strong. In previous years we have had sites in Carlisle, PA, Atlanta, GA and Palo Alto, CA.
IEA welcomes your comments, questions and suggestions!
Please email us at IEAGifted@educationaladvancement.org. Please include "Apprenticeship" in the subject line.
