Rising High School Seniors Study STEM at CSE

Practical scientific experiences, knowledgeable faculty and state-of-the-art resources awaited 16 rising high school seniors at the College of Saint Elizabeth's Explorations in Science program. These students, who were chosen from a large pool of applicants, spent the week exploring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers at CSE

Each day, students were able to immerse themselves in a variety of STEM related fields through interactive lessons and hands-on laboratory experiences. They studied anatomy and physiology by dissecting a sheep brain, discovered the benefits of integrated health through experiencing energy and sound therapy, dabbled in biochemistry by extracting DNA from strawberries, learned about chemical engineering by manufacturing flavors and fragrances and even witnessed marine biology field work at Gateway National Recreation Area (Sandy Hook).

"The Explorations in Science Program allows students to critically examine and discover areas of the STEM field through relevant scientific conversation,” says Erin Colfax, the program’s director. “Student participants gain the ability to critically examine information and discover new knowledge through rigorous scientific reasoning.”

Despite already having a clearly defined plan for the future, student Bernadine Guimary of Nutley High School valued the wide array of topics that were discussed. “Even though I already know I want to be a psychiatrist, I chose the Explorations in Science program because I wanted to explore more divisions of the STEM field.”

Benjamin White of Pine Forge Academy echoed her sentiment by adding, “It helps students who are interested in STEM see a broader picture. In school, you’re learning more generalized information but this program is more specific. It teaches you how to reach your goals and make a plan for the future.”

The Explorations in Science program is supported in part by the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies through the Independent College Fund of New Jersey.

Also in the program were: Fanny Brito Cruz from St. Vincent Academy, Chelby Innocent from St. Vincent Academy, Jemimah Masse from St. Vincent Academy, Melissa Rodriguez from North Arlington High School, Christopher Dela Pena from Science Park High School, Zarina Dranchak from Piscataway High School, Selena Gonzalez Sanchez from New Brunswick High School, Hanna Kimball from Pascack Hills High School, Sean Mollineaux from Livingston High School, Serena Roman from Hoboken High School, Aliyah Salem from Bound Brook High School, Khatia Smith from Montgomery High School, Kavya Srinivasan from the Middlesex County Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences, Brian Villa from Frank J. Cicarell Academy.

www.cse.edu