IRVINE NATURE CENTER OFFERS SUMMER FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO BALTIMORE CITY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
July 7, 2005
Contact: Jeff Muller, 410-484-2413 ext. 23

STEVENSON, MD – For six weeks this summer – June 27 through August 6 – ten Baltimore City high school students are participating in Irvine Nature Center’s new Summer Fellowship Program. The purpose of the Summer Fellowship Program is to offer high school students the opportunity to conduct self-designed research on environmental issues of interest, teach elementary-aged students at Baltimore City Recreation Centers about ecology in their neighborhood, maintain schoolyard gardens at Baltimore City public schools, receive weekly lectures on natural science topics, and participate in adventure activities such as camping and canoeing.  

Ten students were accepted into the six-week program based on a rigorous selection process that included a written application, letters of recommendation from teachers, and an interview with Irvine staff.  Students were recruited from Baltimore City Public Schools and those selected for the program represent five high schools across the City.

This intensive program affords the students the opportunity to explore science as a profession through long-term and comprehensive research.  Students have the opportunity to hone their leadership skills, enhance their science process skills, and learn more about the local environment.  In addition to receiving a stipend for conducting research, students earn service-learning hours, a requirement for graduation, by teaching elementary school students and maintaining gardens at Baltimore City elementary schools.

What is most unique about the Summer Fellowship Program is the way in which all three pieces of Irvine’s school year Urban Education Program are fully integrated.  Irvine’s new Summer Fellowship Program incorporates components of the school year mentoring program (high school students teaching elementary school students), schoolyard habitat program (maintenance of established projects), and high school curriculum (advanced science content), while at the same time enabling students to earn service learning hours, a summer stipend, and a valuable experience to be included in a resume or on a college application. Most importantly, this opportunity is provided in their neighborhood, helping students make a natural connection to their environment while still offering opportunities to travel to offsite locations.  As stated by a Summer Fellow after participating in the first week of the program, “I never knew a job could be so fun!”

This program is funded by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Founded in 1975, the Irvine Nature Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental education.  The Center is located on the grounds of St. Timothy’s School at 8400 Greenspring Avenue, Stevenson, MD (1 mile north of the Baltimore beltway exit 22).  Call 410-484-2413 or visit www.explorenature.org for more information.

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