Honors Research Initiative - An Exciting St. Michael's - UT Education Partnership (By Dr. Dennis Sheeter, Science Department Chair))
St. Michael’s has launched an Honors Research Initiative class that bestows three University of Texas credit hours to the eight students participating in this exciting opportunity (replete with lab coats and name badges).
St. Michael's is one of only four Austin-area high schools in the program, which is funded by a NIH Science Education Partnership Award. “The pioneering HRI program provides high school students the opportunity to initiate and engage in real-world research experience with faculty and graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin and potentially experience similar gains,” as stated on the College of Natural Sciences website.
Senior Zach Woods commented on why he chose to participate.
“I hope to one day have a career in medicine, either as a physician/surgeon or in biomedical research. Participating in the HRI program will help give me insight into what my future career in science will be like and will give me the opportunity to study/explore my passions for science in a new light.”
During the first semester, students develop their own research projects and learn research methodology. In the second semester, students will work with Dr. Tim Riedel to learn advanced techniques in molecular and cell biology to answer scientific questions that concern our local water ways.
Senior Madeleine Montgomery said working with Dr. Sheeter inspires her.
“Dr. Sheeter is an incredible teacher, which makes this class so enjoyable. The increased responsibility on us individually allows us to learn for the sake of learning, instead of covering a set amount of content for an AP test or other course. We have much more control as students in this class.”
Instructor Dr. Dennis Sheeter has been pursuing this opportunity with the University of Texas for several years and said he is thrilled to finally have the opportunity to make it a reality at St. Michael’s.”
“I believe HRI acts as the perfect advanced class in high school to learn scientific inquiry techniques. As juniors and seniors, the students have had enough math and science and possess the necessary curiosity to start asking great personal inquiry questions.”
HRI is a dual-enrollment course where high school students receive elective college credit for NSC 309 (HRI-Research Methods) and high school credit for SRD (Scientific Research and Design). For more detailed information, visit the UT site.
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