The Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering (ASE) Program matches bright, motivated high school students with professional scientists and engineers for eight-week, full-time summer internships. Students assist mentors with research and other activities, learning first-hand about science and engineering careers in the process. Interns attend two full-day conferences during the summer, gaining additional exposure to diverse careers in scientific and engineering fields, and developing skills that will serve them well in technical careers.  ASE is part of Saturday Academy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Background

The ASE Program was initiated in 1990 in order to address the growing concern over the quantity, quality and diversity of our nation’s future technical workforce. ASE has grown from 36 interns in the first full year to approximately 125 students per year.  ASE has provided more than 3,000 students with internships where they learn directly from professional engineers and scientists.

Program Elements

The ASE program provides students with an educational experience that includes the following key elements:

Internship
The heart of the ASE Program is the internship, which involves eight weeks of full-time (40 hours per week) experience during the summer. Interns assist one or more technical professionals who serve as mentors and gain first-hand, pre-professional experience in the mentors’ career field. Some interns work on a specific project that they can complete by summer’s end, some interns contribute for eight weeks to an ongoing larger project, and some participate in multiple smaller projects and tasks that represent the range of work for that field of science or engineering.

ASE Midsummer Conference
This full-day conference is held on a college campus. The major purpose is to introduce students to disciplines outside of their respective internship assignments through seminars and hands-on workshops conducted by professional scientists and engineers. In addition, the Midsummer Conference provides supplemental program activities designed to build group cohesion, provide opportunities for both formal and informal contacts with peers and prepare students for the Symposium. Interns attend sessions on technical presentation preparation and delivery, college selection, and other topics to help prepare them for a technical career.

ASE Symposium
The Symposium is the culmination of the students’ summer activities. Interns convene at a college campus for one day to share their eight-week summer internship experiences. Each student presents her/his work through a poster session and a 15 minute oral presentation to other interns, mentors, parents, teachers and guests. This is an enrichment activity designed to broaden the technical exposure of students and strengthen their speaking and presentation skills. The Symposium is the critical learning event of the summer and enables the students to organize and synthesize their eight weeks of experiences.

Program Participants

Students
High school freshman, sophomores and juniors submit application forms, recommendation letters and transcripts. After reading descriptions of available positions, they apply to their top three choices by writing an essay describing why they would like that particular internship. Each mentor receives the application packages of all students interested in his/her position. Interns are selected by the mentors.

Mentors
These dedicated professionals provide students with hands-on experience that is at the heart of the ASE internship.  Mentors develop eight-week internship positions with an emphasis on the application of science, math and engineering to real-world projects.  Some mentors work not only with their intern, but also assisting with the Midsummer Conference and the ASE Symposium.  ASE mentors are dedicated to the education and training of the next generation of professionals, and this program wouldn’t exist without them. 

Mentoring Organizations

Collaborative involvement and support by businesses, industry, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and local, state and federal agencies are major ingredients in providing meaningful internships. These organizations fund the $3,200 cost of student participation and the attendant cost of a mentoring scientist or engineer.  Mentoring organizations provide office and laboratory space, use of facilities and equipment, reference materials, training, supervision and other resources necessary for interns to carry out assignments. Many participating mentors report that the value of the student’s summer work exceeds the program cost.

Teacher Monitors
Interns are supervised by experienced teachers and other qualified individuals who visit the internship site during the summer to observe and interview both interns and mentors. Ten to fifteen teachers are hired part-time each summer to serve as liaisons for interns and mentors and to solve any issues that arise. They also assist with program evaluation information. Teacher Monitors experience the breadth of science and engineering careers in the geographical area in which they serve and typically use their experience in delivering more relevant and in-depth classroom instruction during the school year.