Environmental Science and Nature Program
Program Overview
Like never before, the systemic nature of our world has been revealed to us by the coronavirus pandemic: human, animal and ecological health are closely linked. Agroecology provides an inspiring example of a powerful systemic approach and in this time of the corona virus pandemic, agroecology can prove helpful to further explore the links between agriculture, health and the environment and realize that the way we practice agriculture can provide opportunities for improving environmental and human health , but if done wrongly, agriculture can cause major ecological and health risks.
The Environmental Science Program offers students a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between humans and the environment, focusing on sustainable practices and innovative ideas to address global environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Through the program, students develop critical thinking, research, and problem-solving skills, enabling them to make informed decisions towards creating a more sustainable future. Additionally, the program emphasizes the principles of agroecology and sustainable agriculture as promising approaches for transitioning to local food systems that can provide social, economic, and environmental benefits while ensuring equitable and sustainable food production for urban populations.
Environmental Science majors have a diverse range of career and study opportunities available to them. Here are just some of the positions and acceptances students from the Eureka Environmental Science Program have secured:
Real Estate Analyst- Wharton Investment and Trading Group
Private Equity Analyst Intern - Azalea Growth Partners
Data Science Intern - Leasing Company
Research Intern - Matsunami Lab
Alumni from the Eureka Environmental Science Program have received admission offers to Yale University, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Cornell University, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Columbia University, California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), and other top US universities. These students have proceeded to pursue majors in Environmental Design, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Mathematical Economics, and Computer Science.
The Eureka Program provides students with valuable research experience and skills that have helped them gain acceptance to prestigious programs such as the University of Iowa's Young Writers Workshop, The Summer Science Program (SSP), and the Yale Young Global Scholars Program (YYGS). Additionally, Eureka students' research work has received numerous awards and recognitions, including from the Scholastic Art & Writing National Awards, and the Society for Science - Regeneron STS Scholars Search.
Students from the Eureka Environmental Science Program are also very engaged in their communities, sharing in volunteering activities and starting non-profit organizations to help the community. One high school alumni cofounded a non-profit tutoring organization that provided free writing and English workshops to elementary and middle school students.
The below sections will provide more insight into the students that have attended this program and share their experiences and successes.
Research Topic Samples
Heavy Metal Pollution in Agricultural Soil: Alternative Solutions
Heavy metal pollution in soils is a global problem caused by various activities such as mining, sewage irrigation, and agrochemical use, and it not only harms crops but also poses a risk to human health. Phytoremediation and intercropping are two alternatives to mitigate heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils. Phytoremediation is a process that uses plants to remove pollutants and contaminants from soil, water, and air and is considered an economical and environmentally friendly method. Intercropping also has shown to be a promising way of soil remediation. Student Y.* who completed this research project is currently majoring in Chemical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame.
College Admission Results
Attended Eureka
2021
High School Name
Princeton Day School
Admission Offer Received
• University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
Eureka Research Title
• Hypothetical Challenges Of Applying The “Lazy Prices” Mechanism At Constructing Alpha-Generating Stock Portfolios In China
• Modern Is Not Always Better: The Importance Of Traditional Rice Varieties And Their Reimplementation In Chinese Rice Cultivation
Attended Eureka
2020 Summer
High School Name
Middlesex School
Admission Offer Received
• John Hopkins University (JHU)
• Northwestern University
• Columbia University
• New York University (NYU)
Eureka Research Title
Are Genetic Engineering And Agroecology Compatible In The Means Of Precision Breeding Rice From Wild Relative Genes Against Bacterial Blight?
Attended Eureka
2020
High School Name
Saratoga High School
Admission Offer Received
• Brown University
• Emory University
Eureka Research Title
Agroecology & Environmental Science
Attended Eureka
2020 Summer
High School Name
Northfield Mount Hermon School