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
Admission Offer Received
• Columbia University
Eureka Research Title
How Can Urban Agroecology Assist Humans To Combat Coronavirus
Attended Eureka
2020
High School Name
The Experimental High School Attached To Beijing Normal University
Admission Offer Received
• University of Notre Dame
• Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Eureka Research Title
The Relationship Between Intercropping And Cadmiun Pollution On Agricultural Soil In China.
Attended Eureka
2022 Summer
High School Name
Suzhou High School Of Jiangsu Province
Admission Offer Received
• Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) (EA)
• University of California - Santa Barbara (UCSB)
Eureka Research Title
The Value Of Open Space In Shenzhen
Attended Eureka
2020 Summer
High School Name
Tabor Academy
Admission Offer Received
• University of California - Davis
• Casewestern University
Eureka Research Title
Agriculture In Carbon Markets
Student Experiences
Eureka Student Research: An Analysis of Solar Distillation Technology for Mars Colonization
Eureka Student Research: The Value of Open Space in Shenzhen
Eureka Student Research: Paper-Pollution in Chinese Cities
Community Activities
The Summer Science Program (SSP) is a research-focused pre-college program for talented and motivated rising high school seniors from around the world. It is a unique immersion experience that challenges students to collaborate and do hands-on research, with a strong culture that has evolved over more than half a century. Student L.* who completed a research project in Urban Development while at Eureka, is currently studying computer science at Yale University.
The International Writing Program (IWP) at the University of Iowa organizes an International Youth Writing Summer Program (IYWS) for high school students from around the world. The program includes workshops, cultural events, and literary activities designed to enhance writing skills and foster cross-cultural understanding among young writers. The IYWS provides a supportive and challenging environment where participants can explore different writing genres and styles and interact with accomplished writers and their peers from diverse backgrounds. Eureka Alumni who attended the Environmental Science Program recieved an invitation to this prestigious writing workshop.
The Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is a highly selective summer academic program for high school students from around the world who have demonstrated exceptional academic excellence and leadership potential. The program offers courses in a variety of disciplines taught by Yale faculty and aims to provide a challenging and stimulating academic environment where students can develop their critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and global perspectives. Participants engage in lectures, seminars, discussions, and collaborative projects, as well as opportunities to explore the Yale campus and engage with a diverse community of scholars. A Eureka student from the Environmental Science Program was admitted to this program.
Honors and Awards
The Massachusetts High School Science & Engineering Fair is an annual competition for high school students in Massachusetts to showcase their scientific research projects. The fair is designed to encourage and inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as to develop skills in research, critical thinking, and communication. Eureka Alumni was able to participate in this event and received an Honorable Mention with her project.
The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world's largest international pre-college science competition for high school students and provides a platform for high school students from around the world to showcase their original research. A former Eureka participant won first place in 2022 with a project demonstrating how plants can generate electricity.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is a national program that recognizes and celebrates the creative achievements of young artists and writers in grades 7-12. It provides opportunities for exhibition, publication, and scholarship, as well as a platform for talented students to showcase their work to a wider audience. Several of Eureka Alumni, who participated in the Environmental Science and Nature program have also received this award for their projects outside of the Eureka Program.
Click to Read Abstracts
Information Sessions
Disclaimers
* Some students names are hidden from this page for privacy purposes
* All college results rankings are based on the 2022-2023 U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings
