Summer Research Apprentice Program

SRAP 2013 Forms for Parents

We are looking forward to SRAP 2013! In case it is necessary, please find the travel permission form below.

Parent travel permission form

What is SRAP?

The Summer Research Apprentice Program (SRAP) is an intensive, six week, paid summer research program held at the University of Wyoming.  Students that have completed their sophomore year of high school by the time the summer program starts, and/or those that are current high school juniors and seniors are eligible.  Other eligibility requirements include being a US citizen or permanent resident and ranking in the top 1/3 of high school class.

SRAP was designed in 1985 to provide minorities, first-generation college bound, and female students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in science, mathematics, engineering, and other related science research. SRAP is funded by Wyoming NSF EPSCoR through the National Science Foundation grant (EPS-0447681).  Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to Chemistry, Energy Research, Ecology, Botany, Molecular Biology, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Nursing, and Psychology.
 

PURPOSE: SRAP provides qualified students with a meaningful, hands-on experience in science, mathematics, statistics, and/or engineering research.  The ultimate goal of SRAP is to stimulate interest in one of these fields for a college major and ultimately as a career choice.  Preferences will be given to ethnic, racial and gender minority high school students whose numbers are underrepresented in the sciences, as well as to first generation college bound students (whose parents did not complete a four-year undergraduate degree).  Funding for the program is provided through Wyoming NSF EPSCoR.
 
ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must have completed their sophomore year in high school by the start of the summer program, and/or be a current junior or senior in high school at the time of application. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.  Preference will be given to those students who self-identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Chicano/a/Latino/a or Mexican American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islander and/or who are first generation college-bound students and/or women.  Nationally, these ethnic, racial and gender minority groups have been identified as underrepresented groups in the sciences.  Applicants must rank in the upper one-third (1/3) of their high school class.  This is an academically competitive program; therefore, socioeconomic factors are of secondary consideration.  All applicants must be able to attend the entire program from start to finish.
 
USE OF FUNDS: Each student is paid at a rate of $8.50 per hour, not to exceed $2,040 (minus appropriate taxes) for the 6-week program (June 9 - July 19, 2013).  Students will be assigned to a research scientist for an eight-hour workday, five days per week, with a 40-hour maximum work week. Research areas may include: molecular biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, mathematics, statistics, nursing, botany, and psychology.  Most students will work in laboratory settings while others may be engaged in work in other appropriate settings.  Students may NOT hold a second job while participating in SRAP.
 
Each student will be expected to provide for her or his personal and recreational living expenses while in Laramie. There is funding for salary, room, board meals, program, and weekend activities only.
 
TRAVEL: Students must provide their own transportation to and from Laramie for SRAP.  SRAP can pick up or drop off students only at the Laramie airport (LAR) or bus depot.  SRAP will not provide transportation to or from any other airport.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

1. Students must be enrolled in high school at the time of application.

2. All participants must have a sincere interest in pursuing studies/careers in the areas of general sciences, mathematics, statistics, and/or engineering. Parents should be committed to this interest.

3. Participants must send a completed and legible Application Form, Transcripts, and two (2) Letters of Recommendation (on the provided form) on or before March 15, 2013 at 5PM. Incomplete applications will not be considered for SRAP.

4. Participants must provide their own means of transportation to and from the summer program at the University of Wyoming.

5. Participants must report promptly to their assigned research position each day and work a full day (8 hours) at an hourly rate. Each participant must adhere to the guidelines and directions of her or his particular research position, research supervisor, team leader, residential coordinator, and/or the Program Coordinator.

6. The SRAP staff will request permission from the parent(s), of minors, to make medical decisions (a general medical release form will accompany registration materials).

7. Participants must reside in UW Housing during the summer program. Participants must follow all regulations and policies set by UW and SRAP (the rules will be sent in May to those students selected to participate).

8. Participants must submit a written research report at the end of the summer program after following a timeline for drafts (deadlines will be provided) for the paper's preparation.

9. In the unlikely event of an accident, participants will be taken to an urgent care clinic or Ivinson Memorial Hospital. Participants must complete an employee report for workers compensation. Parents and/or guardians will be responsible for expenses incurred as a result of non-work related injuries.

10. Students may not hold second jobs, participate in another summer program, or take classes during the duration of SRAP.

11. SRAP is a well-respected program at UW and in order to uphold the integrity of the program, it is required that all participants act in a mature and responsible manner during their stay at the University of Wyoming.

SRAP All Years Reunion - 2011

Approximately 80 SRAP students and families from around the country returned to Laramie in early May to reminisce about their summer experiences.  Held at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center, students were welcomed back by the woman who started it all back in 1985, Dr. Dolores Cardona, UW Associate Dean of Students.  Dr. Cardona gave everyone a quick history of the Minority High Summer Research Apprenticeship Program which eventually evolved into the Summer Research Apprentice Program or SRAP as we all fondly refer to it now.

Students shared their stories and experiences with each other while attending breakout sessions with topics including what to expect when you major in one of the STEM fields, ideas on how to pick a major or college, finding fellowships and undergraduate research opportunities, and tips on how to balance academics, work, and still have a social life.

From the Hilton, the whole crew took a trip via Transpark bus over to the main UW campus. Lunch was provided along with a lecture from Dr. Randy Lewis, a mentor for many SRAP students over the years. After lunch it was a tour around campus which included the new Honors House where SRAP students live during the summer, the new Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center, the Three-Phase Flow in Porous Media and Computed Tomography Encana Research Lab, and Dr. Mark Gomelsky's lab, another mentor for several SRAPers.

One more trip on the bus and everyone was back at the Hilton for the riveting key note provided by Roy Juarez, Jr. who is currently on his Homeless by Choice tour. The day was finished up with a banquet and a grand finale keynote by Esther Uduehi, a former SRAP student who recently was named a Rhodes Scholar. Free books, T-shirts, special SRAP mints, and a banquet dinner topped off the evening!

Pictures from the Reunion