Summer at Smith College

Summer Science & Engineering Program

Programa de verano de ciencias e ingeniería (SSEP)

El Programa de Verano de Ciencias e Ingeniería (SSEP) de Smith está diseñado para estudiantes excepcionales de secundaria con fuertes intereses en ciencias e ingeniería. Participe en investigaciones prácticas con el profesorado de Smith en ciencias físicas y de la vida y en ingeniería. Establecido en 1990, el programa atiende anualmente a más de 100 estudiantes. Desde su inicio, han participado cerca de 1.800 estudiantes, en representación de 46 estados y 53 países. Después del programa, los participantes regresan a la escuela secundaria mejor preparados para afrontar cursos de ciencias difíciles y comprender qué esperar en la universidad.

Smith College is among the top-rated liberal arts colleges in the United States and one of the nation's largest colleges dedicated solely to the education of women. The Smith science faculty employs some of the finest researchers and teachers in the country. In 1999 Smith became the first women's college in the nation to establish its own program in engineering science, the Picker Engineering Program.

Central to the program is a learning environment that is rich in role models. SSEP offers hands-on, cooperative, investigative, and challenging learning—where girls get all of the faculty's attention as well as the opportunities and encouragement to achieve their best. Smith undergraduate students with science majors also serve as teaching assistants.

Research Courses

Unlike regular school classes, SSEP research courses emphasize asking questions and learning by doing, not only by listening and watching.

Students choose two two-week research courses; in these, groups of up to 17 students work alongside Smith faculty members, assisted by undergraduate interns. Informal lectures in the laboratory and out in the field encourage students to ask research questions, and they learn to conduct actual experiments. Most of the work is carried out as a cooperative team effort, with ample opportunities for individual contributions. SSEP participants learn how scientists and engineers formulate questions, work on amazingly sophisticated scientific instruments, and develop valuable critical thinking and analytical skills.