This program is open to any and all YPIE Scholars who are currently enrolled in their freshman year at any of the 8 high schools in Yonkers.
After the successful completion of one full school year in the programs while maintaining a grade of 85 or above, students have the opportunity to earn up to 12 college credits through the State University of New York at Albany’s University in the High School Program. This program is available as an option to all students who have finished one year of the course to the instructor’s satisfaction (85 or above).
These college credits are accepted at all SUNY and CUNY institutions, as well as most other major colleges.
Students can receive up to 12 college credits for this course. This is the equivalent to one semester of college. This means that you could very easily finish your 4-year bachelor's degree in only 3 years - saving you lots of time, and LOTS of money.
Each credit associated with this course does carry an extremely discounted l cost (~$25 per credit). This compares to an average of $1,000 per credit at most SUNY schools, and an average of more than $5,000 per credit at many private institutions.
Students can choose to opt in or out of this credit offering, but they will be required to complete the same amount of work.
College Credit Course Offerings:
CAS 109 - Intermediate Science Research (2 credits, July - August) - Juniors
CAS 110 - Intermediate Methods of Research (4 credits, September - June) - Juniors
CAS 209 - Advanced Science Research (2 credits, July - August) - Seniors
CAS 210 - Advanced Methods of Research (4 credits, September - June) - Seniors
** Please note that CAS 109 and CAS 209 are offered only during the summer.
Pretty much ANYTHING YOU WANT!
My requirement is simply that you develop a project that either:
Collect novel (new) data
or
Analyze data in a novel (new) way
We can turn pretty much anything into a feasible project.
Start with your interests!
If you like soccer, you could study head injuries in soccer players...
If you like music, you could study the affect of certain types of music on attention span....
If you like plants, study plants....
If you like math, study math....
et cetera!
Yes. There is. Students are expected to complete 3.5 hours of outside work for this course every week. That's approximately 30 minutes of 'extra' work per day.
Each student receives unique 'homework' as everyone's project is different. In this way, it often doesn't feel like 'homework' and feels more fun and productive. That may be hard to believe, but trust me. Homework really can be fun.
This is one of the more difficult parts of the course! I will help you, but ultimately it is YOUR job to find a research mentor.
In your first year of the program, 10th grade, you become an 'expert' on whatever research topic interests you. As soon as you prove yourself an expert, you begin to reach out to true professional scientists who work in your chosen field, and ask them to be your research advisor/mentor. They are the experts who will help you design, implement, and analyze your project.
It is mandatory that you find a research mentor. Ideally you will have one before the summer after your 10th grade year, and you MUST have a mentor before the summer after 11th grade.
This course has two main components:
Our group research class (YPIE College Zone/Virtual - no extra commitment)
One-on-one 'biweekly' independent meetings (Virtual and/or at your school, during your free period)
To be eligible for college credit, we need to complete at least 80 hours of research class time per year. To fulfill this requirement, our classes take place for one hour, twice a week. Friday is an opportunity to make up any missed classes during the week.
Regeneron is a big commitment, and you should think of it in the same way you think of an AP or college-level class at school. But it's worth it. I promise.
Great question!
This course is unique in that YOU get to decide what to do. It is a taste of college and post-college life, starting in high school! Working hard is much easier when you are following your passions.
Students who have failed Living Environment and Earth Science have very often succeeded in this course, because it is easy to do you homework if you are in charge of your own learning.
In addition, the #1 thing selective colleges are looking for nowadays is a 'genuine passion for learning'. Colleges want to see that you have interests in things that are independent of what they 'make' you do at school. They want to see your unique interests and talents. This program is a great way to show that.
Of course you need a good GPA and good SAT scores, but selective colleges want something that will set you apart from the thousands of other kids who have strong GPAs.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals generously provided the seed funding for this program to get started, back in 2017. They are a company fully committed to science and the development of new life-saving drugs, including an antibody solution for saving people with serious cases Covid-19. As part of that commitment, Regeneron has made it their mission to provide better access and exposure to science to traditionally underrepresented groups. They are major sponsors of many scientific events and outreach programs in the region.
Yes, 100% yes! You will still receive the same services/support as all of the other students in YPIE, but you will now also be an elite part of a very selective group of students within YPIE.
Yes this is very real class and yes I am a 'real' teacher. I am certified by the State of New York for 7-12 Biology teaching. I am an adjunct professor at SUNY Albany. I have a degree in Biology from Wesleyan University, and a Masters in Science Education from Columbia University Teacher's College. I've taught at International Schools in Vietnam, Colombia, and Mexico, including teaching IB Biology at an IB institution: Colegio Suizo de Queretaro, and have been a part of YPIE for the past 5 years.