Andrew Yazdi

Junior Melany Yeung participates in 2 A.P. science courses.

Starting in June, two juniors and five sophomores will participate in different summer programs focused on giving students experiences beyond what is presented in high school.

“I’m doing Students and Teachers as Research Scientists (STARS),” junior Melany Yeung said.

In the STARS program, the students are paired with scientists to do a lab experiment based on fields that they are interested in. It runs June 8-17, sponsored by the University of Missouri Saint Louis.

“The person I got matched with is someone that prints cells. I wanted this because I enjoy Biomedical Engineering,” junior Lana Kuziez said.

The application process included filling out an application, getting letters of recommendation and writing an essay. The application fee cost $80 and $2,495 for tuition fee.

“I did my essay on Alzheimer’s, and how I want to help find a cure and advance that field,” Yeung said.

At the end of the summer, students write a research paper on their experiences, what they learned and how they can apply it to everyday life.

“The hands on lab experience was the best because not many high school students have that chance,” 2014 attendee senior William Tong said.

In addition to STARS, students plan to attend Missouri Scholars Academy, which is reserved for sophomores across the state.

“We go to Mizzou and we take classes. Not for credit, but what we are interested in,” sophomore Rose Ho said.

Students were nominated based on GPA, PSAT scores, an essay and an IQ test. For the final selection, they had to write two essays and participate in an interview.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all the people who also got in and seeing other people from all across Missouri,” Ho said.

The participants will be housed on the Mizzou campus in the Mark Twain Residence Hall from June 7-27. Their tuition is $1000, which does not include personal expenses.

“The Academy will have 330 of the best sophomores in Missouri. Sixteen are being sent from Parkway,” sophomore Aaron Dorrance said.

Of the 16 students, five are West students, which is more than any other Parkway school. All of the West students that were initially nominated are participating in the program.

“There are classes based on major [the core of what they will learn with categories in math, science, social studies, and humanities] and minor [a less prominent field of study different from their major]. The major is taken three hours six days a week and the minor is one hour a day six days a week,” Dorrance said.

The academy allows students to participate in an unconventional educational program that presents them with guest lectures, forums and cultural events.

“I expect to gain more knowledge about the subjects I’m going to be learning about,” Dorrance said. “Also, a lot of great times and new friends.”