Activities

Summer Bridge Program

ESTEEMED Scholars begin their training in a 5-week summer bridge enrichment program the summer prior to their freshman year. The bridge program will be coordinated with URI’s Talent Development Summer Success Program (TDSSP) and includes activities such as:

  • College preparation course (1 credit)
  • College writing course (3 credits)
  • Mental health first aid course (1 credit)
  • Social science workshops
  • STEM workshops
  • ESTEEMED bioengineering workshops

Academic Year Training

During the academic year, ESTEEMED scholars will participate in semester-long training and support and will participate in mandatory activities exclusive to URI ESTEEMED Scholars, including:

  1. Weekly ESTEEMED meetings,
  2. Required cohort study sessions,
  3. Participation in the ESTEEMED Entering Research course,
  4. Individual and small group meetings with professors,
  5. Mentored laboratory research experiences (optional freshman year, required sophomore year),
  6. Journal club participation,
  7. Leadership training,
  8. Blogging assignments, and
  9. Travel to national scientific research conferences.

Mentored Research

ESTEEMED Scholars will participate in pre-research training during their freshman year in preparation for meaningful year-round mentored research in a laboratory of their choosing. They will also take part in peer and faculty mentoring to develop strong scientific skills and self-efficacy in research.

Summer Research Experience

ESTEEMED scholars have the option to do paid research after their freshman year and are given priority to participate in the RI-INBRE SURF or URI Science & Engineering Fellowship programs.

As rising juniors, ESTEEMED scholars are required to participate in a summer research training program at URI or a research institution of their choice anywhere in the country.