• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Science, Engineering Apprentice Program Offers Students a Chance to Test Drive a Career at ECBC

Posted on: Thursday, 15 January 2009, 07:00 CST

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Aiming to reach out to students interested in science and engineering, the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) is looking for participants in summer-long apprentice program that offers them the opportunity to test out a future career at the nation's premier research laboratory.

Sponsored by George Washington University and the Department of Defense (DoD), the Science and Engineering Apprentice Program (SEAP) is an eight-week internship that enables high school and college students to apprentice in fields of their choice with experienced scientists and engineers serving as mentors.

Funded through an educational grant from U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, SEAP enabled 12 of the more than 400 students who participated in the 2008 program to work at ECBC. Other students were assigned to one of 16 other DoD laboratories. Organizers are hoping this year's program, which runs from June 22 to Aug. 14, attracts an even greater number of students to ECBC.

"We are hopeful that the program will continue to expand each year," said Barbara Hawk, the Center's SEAP coordinator. "The SEAP program enables ECBC to provide students with information about the work done here at ECBC. When we get young people excited about science and engineering I believe it will ultimately help to ensure the continuous growth of our workforce."

Treated as research assistants, students collaborate with their mentors on a project that provides them an opportunity to work in a laboratory while learning how their research can benefit both the Army and the civilian community.

Outside the lab, students are invited to attend lectures, tours and demonstrations aimed at educating them about various research techniques and the significance of the work done for the purpose of non-medical chemical and biological defense.

After presenting final reports during a closing ceremony held in conjunction with SEAP students from the Army's Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, all participants are awarded an educational stipend that begins at $2,000 and grows each year the student is involved in SEAP.

"SEAP provides an opportunity for young engineers and scientists to receive hands-on experience in an environment which closely resembles conditions in their proposed field," said ECBC Simulationist Analyst Chris Gaughan, who served as a SEAP mentor in 2008. "An apprenticeship at ECBC affords young people the chance to contribute positively to the organization while they explore career suitability."

ECBC's SEAP is open to all students, age 16 or older, though college students must have previously participated in SEAP. While participants do not have to live locally, they must able to provide their own transportation. Registration, which can be completed online, must be submitted by Feb. 27.

For more information about SEAP, go to www.usaeop.com or www.gwseap.net or contact Heather Field at 410-436-5745.

ECBC is the Army's principal research and development center for chemical and biological defense technology, engineering and field operations. ECBC has achieved major technological advances for the warfighter and for our national defense, with a long and distinguished history of providing the Armed Forces with quality systems and outstanding customer service. ECBC is a US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command laboratory located at the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. For more information about the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, please visit our Web site at http://www.ecbc.army.mil or call (410) 436-7118.

SOURCE Edgewood Chemical Biological Center

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category