High School Students Get Head Start via Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Summer Program

Standout sophomores, juniors receive hands-on experience with Stevens faculty and doctoral candidates

As Adeniyi Lawal received increasing inquiries looking for summer work for high school students, he realized it was time for the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science to formalize a summer program to serve some of the New York Metro Area's most promising STEM students.

Lawal, professor and department chair in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, envisioned a mutually beneficial future that both provided invaluable experience for hard-working teenagers while also showing off what Stevens has to offer in hopes of recruiting said students to Hoboken for their undergraduate studies after high school.

After working with Stevens' Division of Enrollment Management to formalize an approved plan, Lawal was officially cleared to begin outreach during the spring of 2024. Lawal made nine visits to some of the top local high schools in New York and New Jersey, with one more virtual visit via Zoom. On these visits, students watched aStevens-produced video that included an explanation of what Chemical Engineering entails, followed by testimonials from successful alumni from the department, and finally, a question-and-answer session. Students also received informational resources about chemical engineering, including Stevens' curriculum, and summer research opportunities for high school students, that will help them with selection of their major, high school course selection and ease the eventual transition to college.

Despite the short turnaround, the department received a lot of interest in the summer program and eventually selected 10 students to work with faculty and Ph.D. candidates during the summer. These students worked in various capacities, including vital work in a college lab.

"In high school, maybe they have taken AP Chemistry and have done some experiments. But most likely the labs and equipment they're working with are on a small scale," said Lawal. "When they get to work at a place like Stevens, everything is on a larger scale and the equipment is more modern and sophisticated. They are involved in experiments here that are one step closer to reality. They learn a real applied science."

Based on the initial success of the program, Lawal is already back on the recruiting trail and has already made visits to local high schools this fall. Going forward, the plan is to do the visits in the fall and generate early interest in the program and provide motivation for students to apply early.

Lawal has targeted schools that have sent successful students to Stevens historically, with a focus on sophomores and juniors who are taking or have taken AP Chemistry. The initial selected students in summer of 2024 worked no more than three days a week for a period of six weeks. They received a $35 daily stipend to cover transportation and lunch costs.

Lawal believes Stevens' attractive location and proximity to so many prestigious high schools present a win-win scenario for the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, but even more so for bright, motivated students.

"The opportunities are endless. They will get from the program whatever they're willing to put in," said Lawal. "It's a rare opportunity to get hands-on experience with top faculty and Ph.D. students, from researching methods and learning how to use new equipment. It will provide a leg up for life after high school."