WISE High School Program

Overview
Wise High school is designed to challenge high school women who show academic promise and interest in science math and engineering. Originally supported by two major grants from the National Science Foundation, and currently operating as a BOCES enrichment program, WISE engages participants in the excitement of science and mathematics by providing unique experiences at the University of Stony Brook (USB), and other facilities such as Brookhaven National Laboratory and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. These institutions are known internationally for their distinguished research program in the sciences.

WISE high school is a three year program involving new tenth grade students each year from local high schools. The goals are to expose the girls to the variety within science, to give them hands-on experience, and to engage them gradually in the research experience.

Together with a teacher from each participating high school, the tenth grade girls engage in different research experiences throughout the year. During eleventh grade year, the participants have a more sustained research experience as they engage in a semester long group project at the University. During the twelfth grade year, the students do either individual research at one of the participating institutions, take an introductory science or math course at USB, or work on a group project.

Students are selected by the WISE - High School Liasion, or a faculty committee, from a pool of qualified applicants. Interested students should be advanced in science and math courses, achieving at least a B+ average, and interested in science, math, engineering, or technology. Each student must submit an application and letters of recommendation from science or math teachers in order to be considered for the program. If a participant drops out of the program in the first two years, a student from the waiting list may be invited to fill the vacated spot.

Graduates of the WISE high school program have gone on to prestigious colleges and universities, many receiving scholarships and entrance into special programs based on their achievements in the WISE program. Current data indicate that almost 40% of the WISE graduates are studying the physical sciences, engineering, computer science or math in college. Another 40% are studying the biological sciences, with the intention of doing scientific research and going on to professional or graduate school.

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