Comments
Describe the impact that participation in the SMART Team program has had on you.
"The SMART Teams program has had a great impact on not only my understanding of science but on my life decisions. When I first came to the program as a sophomore in high school, it gave me the ability to apply concepts that we were learning in the classroom to the real world. Science became more than facts in a textbook, but a changing and dynamic field. Furthermore, it allowed me to interact with the scientific community. It was through this program that I was able to acquire a job in the research field which further increased my understanding of how science is performed in a day to day setting. Five years after my first SMART Teams meeting, I still go back and help out with meetings where I can see my brother gaining the same appreciation for science. No other program has ever opened so many doors for me. I am constantly reminded of the impact SMART Teams has had on my life when I sit in a classroom and visualize the three dimensional structure of a protein, listen to lab presentations given at work, and even when I see the clinical applications of what research has provided us with while volunteering in the medical field."
"It was an experience that pushed me to excel in an academic area that I had always done poorly in."
"It was not only a fun program, but an awesome learning experience! SMART Team got me interested in research and proteins. The final feeling of actually getting to hold the protein that you modeled and spent all year working on was a very rewarding feeling and I think that everyone should be able to experience it."
"This year taught me that I don't have to be the smartest one in the group in order to do well in something. The team worked together and everyone brought their own part to it."
"I learned that when given responsibility and the job is done well, it truly is satisfying."
Comments from SMART Team Students
"I absolutely love SMART team and everything about it. It has been my favorite thing about high school so far."
"As a senior who is graduating next year, I talk with friends about what we are going to miss the most about high school. For me, that would have to be SMART team. Next year, if I can, I will be returning in some way to help both my school's team and perhaps the program in general if they have anything I could do."
"Thanks so much for this great, life changing experience."
"I think the SMART Team is a great experience that anyone could learn a lot from. Thank you for making this available to high school students and exposing us to some of the many different careers in the science field."
Comments from SMART Team Teachers
"Being a part of a team such as this that encompasses so many aspects of science provides my students with opportunities that they would not be able to get any other way. Also, even though they are sometimes very stressful, the deadlines teach students that they have to be committed and focused and the ones who stick it out to the end learn a valuable lesson about perseverance and the payoffs (California this year)."
"This program is a fantastic program for showing students the intrigue of scientific research, as well as the frustrations! The students learn many skills that will help them in future schooling and in their careers, if they choose a career in science. One of the most important skill that they learn is how to communicate scientific ideas to scientific audiences as well as non-scientific audiences."
Comments from SMART Team Mentors
"This was a fantastic experience. I truly enjoyed working with the enthusiastic students and their teacher. On many occasions, I was amazed by the sophistication of the questions asked by the students and I always appreciated their keen enthusiasm. It was refreshing to step outside of the lab/classroom and interact with high school students in this format. I applaud the SMART team program coordinators for everything that they have done to facilitate learning in a creative and inspiring format."
"The process of stepping back from your research projects to describe them to students always provides a fresh perspective."
"It has given me a wonderful opportunity to interact in my community and share my love of science. It has helped me to remember the world outside of lab, and reminded me of how inquisitive and excited high school students can be."
"It was great way to learn to communicate science to the students. The enthusiasm of the students is infectious!"
Comments from parents of SMART Team students on the impact of the program on their child.
"Introducing her to real world applications and career opportunities that she can pursue in conjunction with her passion for science."
"Helped him develop his speaking skills specifically with scientific thoughts, facing a scientific community and speaking with poise and clarity."
"She now tells everyone science is her favorite subject."
"Participating on the SMART Team for my son has been fantastic. It has opened my son up to a world that he quite really didn't imagine. His love for this is unexplainable. It has brought him out of his shell. Besides the foreign language club this is the only thing he is comfortable in."
For more information about the SMART Team program, please contact Shannon Colton (colton@msoe.edu) or 414-277-2824.