Shadow Program (for High School students)
We are excited to announce 2023 IFSS will return to in-person shadowing. The program took place in-person onJune 19th - June 30th, 2023, 9AM - 12PM, M-F.
Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS)
The Stanford Department of Chemistry hosts the Inspiring Future Scientists Through Shadowing (IFSS) program each summer. This program gives rising juniors and seniors in high school an opportunity to experience cutting-edge chemical research while shadowing a graduate student mentor as they work in the laboratory.
Eligibility
Students MUST be 16 or older by the start of the program. We encourage applications from US citizens and permanent residents. There is no cost to participate in the program; to preserve this situation, we can only accept local students for whom transportation and living arrangements will not be a significant financial barrier to participation. We do not provide housing for participants, and participants must arrange for their own transportation to/from the Stanford Campus.
One of the primary goals of the IFSS program is to provide hands-on scientific research experience to students who do not otherwise have access to this opportunity. IFSS aims to provide a new and unique experience to its participants. We highly encourage applications from prospective first-generation to college/low-income (FLI) students and/or students who are members of groups historically underrepresented in the sciences.
COVID-19 Requirements
To comply with Stanford University policy requirements, all participants will complete a rapid COVID-19 test (provided by Stanford) upon arrival at the first day of the program. Participants experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to stay home and test negative for COVID-19 before returning to campus. If symptoms appear on-site, rapid COVID-19 tests will be available through the University. Any positive COVID-19 test will require the student to isolate for the remainder of the program.
Application Information
The 2023 IFSS application will be posted March 1st and be due May 1st. Students will be notified of their status by May 15th. Priority will be given to local applicants. The application includes two portions: an application from the student and a teacher recommendation (to be submitted directly by the recommending teacher). The application includes two or three questions - each answered with a few paragraphs - pertaining to how IFSS will help the applicant move toward their professional/educational goals. The application will include a section reporting grades in science /mathematics coursework, as well as overall GPA (weighted/unweighted). While there are no formal requirements for coursework, a strong interest in science/mathematics is preferred. Accepted students will be required to submit an official transcript confirming the information reported in their application.
Contact
chemistry-ifss [at] stanford.edu (chemistry-ifss[at]stanford[dot]edu)