Scientifica: DPS Nurturing Future Scientists is a science research program that provides student scholars opportunities to increase their awareness and appreciation of the variety of science careers and competitions by working with mentors, researchers, community programs/resources, student peers, and DPS teachers. The program provides students with these multiple opportunities to interact with scientists and the scientific community through ongoing monthly seminars, summer institutes, and internships. Students are actively recruited in the spring with emphasis placed on the ninth grade scholars, although students in grades 10-12 are not denied a place in the program. As students progress through the program, they have their prior experiences and relationships to develop a more sophisticated research design. The area of research and the depth of participation are determined by the student. This program encourages DPS students to enter competition based science programs and it provides opportunities that are not available during the normal school day. These programs include Science Olympiad, First Robotics, Real World Design Challenge and many others. Juniors and Seniors are given the chance to seek and obtain internships where they experience “real” scientists in university labs or they participate in corporate research.

Year-long

Durham Public School students in grades 8-12

Benjamin Downing
K-12 Science Specialist
Durham Public Schools
P.O. Box 30002
511 Cleveland Street
Durham, NC 27701

Phone: 919/560-2598