FOR ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS & CONCERNS
Q: Who may apply?
All high school students from Philadelphia and the surrounding communities who are at least 16 years old by the time the program begins may apply.
Q: How much does Summer TRIP cost?
Fox Chase Cancer Center believes it is critical to provide training for any and all motivated students regardless of a student’s financial status. Therefore, Summer TRIP is free for all students!
Q: What coursework is required prior to applying for the programs?
The course is fast-paced and assumes that participants have some foundation in biology and chemistry. Therefore, at least one high school biology or chemistry course is preferred. However, additional instruction is available for students needing extra help.
Q: What will I be doing during the course?
Students will be guided through multiple assays used to test different behavioral aspects using fruit flies as an experimental model system. They will collect and analyze their data, and then interpret and present their findings in a pre-recorded oral presentation that will be accessible on the TRIP website. Throughout the program, students will also use multiple forms of media to share their experiences, and work with mentors to explore careers surrounding science and medicine.
Q: Why fruit flies?
The fruit fly is a well-established and powerful model organism which has been used to make major discoveries in many scientific fields including genetics, development, behavior, and disease. Additionally, the short life cycle and ease of use makes the fruit fly an ideal system for students who have limited time to design, perform, and troubleshoot experiments.
Q: What kinds of assays will I perform?
In the summer program, students will explore how different treatments and environmental factors impact different fly behaviors such as activity, anxiety, and fertility as well as how it might affect biological aspects like the gut microbiome. Check out some of the research projects from previous students at TRIP’s official webpage (https://www.tripinitiative.com/video-archive.html)
Q: What can I hope to learn?
Students gain hands-on training in basic laboratory techniques and conceptual skills including hypothesis generation, experimental design and data analysis. Additionally, the course is designed to reinforce critical thinking skills, peer-to-peer mentoring techniques, and multimedia communication skills. The course provides a unique opportunity for students to learn whether scientific research is an appealing career path, to learn many important life skills that will be useful regardless of future career choices, and to become part of a growing and active community of alumni.
Check out the experiences of previous students at http://www.tripinitiative.com/blog.
Q: What's the instructor to student ratio?
Each session is lead by 1 instructor and 2 TAs for 10 students.
Q: Who teaches the Summer TRIP?
Although the instructors change from year to year, all have an advanced degree in science and/or education and have spent a minimum of three years in a research lab. Additionally, collaborators include industry professionals, high school teachers, and other professionals from Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Q: Will I be working in a group or on my own?
Yes! Some assignments will be done in small groups, but your hands on experiments can be done on your own. Faculty and teaching assistants provide mentorship as needed, and you may choose to work with other students if you want to.
Q: Is there homework?
Yes, lots of it! Students will complete self-learning packets to learn information about fly development, reinforce critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills. All assignments are managed through the free online platform, Google Classroom.
Q: Where are the sessions held?
TRIP Explore is held at Fox Chase Cancer Center (https://www.foxchase.org/; 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111).
Q: When does the program meet?
Two sessions will be held for the summer. Session 1 will be held July 6th – 10th and Session 2 will be held July 20th – 25th. The daily instructional period will last approximately from 9 AM – 5 PM.
Q: What is the attendance policy?
Due to the fast-paced, independent nature of the program, students must be present and on time to all classes. Absence from any instructional period of a Session will result in dismissal from the program.
Q: How do I learn more about the program?
Please contact us with additional questions at: [email protected] and follow us on social media at @TRIPInitiative.
All high school students from Philadelphia and the surrounding communities who are at least 16 years old by the time the program begins may apply.
Q: How much does Summer TRIP cost?
Fox Chase Cancer Center believes it is critical to provide training for any and all motivated students regardless of a student’s financial status. Therefore, Summer TRIP is free for all students!
Q: What coursework is required prior to applying for the programs?
The course is fast-paced and assumes that participants have some foundation in biology and chemistry. Therefore, at least one high school biology or chemistry course is preferred. However, additional instruction is available for students needing extra help.
Q: What will I be doing during the course?
Students will be guided through multiple assays used to test different behavioral aspects using fruit flies as an experimental model system. They will collect and analyze their data, and then interpret and present their findings in a pre-recorded oral presentation that will be accessible on the TRIP website. Throughout the program, students will also use multiple forms of media to share their experiences, and work with mentors to explore careers surrounding science and medicine.
Q: Why fruit flies?
The fruit fly is a well-established and powerful model organism which has been used to make major discoveries in many scientific fields including genetics, development, behavior, and disease. Additionally, the short life cycle and ease of use makes the fruit fly an ideal system for students who have limited time to design, perform, and troubleshoot experiments.
Q: What kinds of assays will I perform?
In the summer program, students will explore how different treatments and environmental factors impact different fly behaviors such as activity, anxiety, and fertility as well as how it might affect biological aspects like the gut microbiome. Check out some of the research projects from previous students at TRIP’s official webpage (https://www.tripinitiative.com/video-archive.html)
Q: What can I hope to learn?
Students gain hands-on training in basic laboratory techniques and conceptual skills including hypothesis generation, experimental design and data analysis. Additionally, the course is designed to reinforce critical thinking skills, peer-to-peer mentoring techniques, and multimedia communication skills. The course provides a unique opportunity for students to learn whether scientific research is an appealing career path, to learn many important life skills that will be useful regardless of future career choices, and to become part of a growing and active community of alumni.
Check out the experiences of previous students at http://www.tripinitiative.com/blog.
Q: What's the instructor to student ratio?
Each session is lead by 1 instructor and 2 TAs for 10 students.
Q: Who teaches the Summer TRIP?
Although the instructors change from year to year, all have an advanced degree in science and/or education and have spent a minimum of three years in a research lab. Additionally, collaborators include industry professionals, high school teachers, and other professionals from Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Q: Will I be working in a group or on my own?
Yes! Some assignments will be done in small groups, but your hands on experiments can be done on your own. Faculty and teaching assistants provide mentorship as needed, and you may choose to work with other students if you want to.
Q: Is there homework?
Yes, lots of it! Students will complete self-learning packets to learn information about fly development, reinforce critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills. All assignments are managed through the free online platform, Google Classroom.
Q: Where are the sessions held?
TRIP Explore is held at Fox Chase Cancer Center (https://www.foxchase.org/; 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111).
Q: When does the program meet?
Two sessions will be held for the summer. Session 1 will be held July 6th – 10th and Session 2 will be held July 20th – 25th. The daily instructional period will last approximately from 9 AM – 5 PM.
Q: What is the attendance policy?
Due to the fast-paced, independent nature of the program, students must be present and on time to all classes. Absence from any instructional period of a Session will result in dismissal from the program.
Q: How do I learn more about the program?
Please contact us with additional questions at: [email protected] and follow us on social media at @TRIPInitiative.
