What is Louisville Science Pathways?
Louisville Science Pathways (LSP) was founded in 2017 by then graduate student, Teodora Stoica. LSP is a paid research internship program for Jefferson County high school students at the University of Louisville. This program offers students a hands-on summer internship with scientists on the Belknap and Health Sciences Campuses in disciplines including neurobiology, anatomy, psychology, computer science, chemistry, physiology, biochemistry, cancer immunology, spinal cord research, pharmacology, biological engineering, industrial engineering, chemical engineering, bacteriology, and more. The main goals of LSP are to promote science education by connecting the UofL research with the Louisville community and to introduce high school students to scientific research career paths.
Visit www.curiouscortex.com to see how Dr. Stoica's career has progressed.
Visit www.curiouscortex.com to see how Dr. Stoica's career has progressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the responsibilities of Mentors?
1) Setting a schedule for the student working in lab so that there is always an adult (myself, a technician, graduate student, or lab manager) on site while the student is working in lab.
2) Completing the “Minors in Labs” risk management document and returning it with the student during the first week of the program.
3) Completing an evaluation of the student on the sheet provided by the LSP program director at the midpoint and end of the program.
4) Helping the student develop a short (3-5 minute) presentation on their experience at the end of the program.
5) Making arrangements to meet the student after orientation to give them lab specific orientation. If working in my lab requires training beyond DEHS basic lab safety (e.g. biosafety training), I will ensure the student completes the appropriate online modules in UofL’s BioRaft training program.
6) Requesting Cardinal Card access to the lab if needed (LSP directors can supply the appropriate form for this.)
What are the responsibilities of LSP Directors?
1) Screening applications for the LSP program and matching high school students to available labs based on their interests.
2) Providing an orientation for the students that includes all required orientation for the SummerWorks program and University of Louisville DEHS basic lab safety training.
3) Administrative oversight of the SummerWorks internship including collecting and submitting weekly timesheets for the students and periodic evaluations.
4) Providing weekly career-oriented seminars for the students during the program.
Who funds LSP Students and how often are they in lab?
The high school student placed in lab has a stipend that is funded through KentuckianaWorks’ SummerWorks program. They will be paid hourly for a minimum of 20 hours and up to 30 hours of work per week in lab which can include discussion about the scientific process and the science they are working on, background material to read and discuss, hands on experience including collecting and analyzing data, practice summarizing and presenting their results, and attending weekly seminars hosted by LSP. The program lasts 7 weeks and typically begins the first week of June.
Do students need their own project?
The student does not need to have their own project, however they are expected to participate in meaningful scientific research that occurs in lab.
Can graduate students do the day-to-day mentoring?
Yes! This is also an excellent opportunity for your graduate students to gain mentoring experience under your oversight.
My lab does field work, is LSP suitable for this type of lab?
UofL faculty, staff, or students, are not allowed to provided transportation to LSP participants. Students are screened during the application process for reliable transportation to the Belknap and HSC campuses. We can work with labs and applicants to ensure that students have a way of independently getting to field sites.
Do students get safety training?
During orientation students receive Basic Lab Safety and Biohazard training from the DEHS office. Lab specific CITI or Bioraft trainings can be set up prior to orientation.
Can students work with animals?
LSP students are not allowed to work with live animals, but are allowed to work with fixed tissues.
What are students not allowed to do?
How do I apply to mentor an LSP Student?
Please use the link below to fill out a short application form.
1) Setting a schedule for the student working in lab so that there is always an adult (myself, a technician, graduate student, or lab manager) on site while the student is working in lab.
2) Completing the “Minors in Labs” risk management document and returning it with the student during the first week of the program.
3) Completing an evaluation of the student on the sheet provided by the LSP program director at the midpoint and end of the program.
4) Helping the student develop a short (3-5 minute) presentation on their experience at the end of the program.
5) Making arrangements to meet the student after orientation to give them lab specific orientation. If working in my lab requires training beyond DEHS basic lab safety (e.g. biosafety training), I will ensure the student completes the appropriate online modules in UofL’s BioRaft training program.
6) Requesting Cardinal Card access to the lab if needed (LSP directors can supply the appropriate form for this.)
What are the responsibilities of LSP Directors?
1) Screening applications for the LSP program and matching high school students to available labs based on their interests.
2) Providing an orientation for the students that includes all required orientation for the SummerWorks program and University of Louisville DEHS basic lab safety training.
3) Administrative oversight of the SummerWorks internship including collecting and submitting weekly timesheets for the students and periodic evaluations.
4) Providing weekly career-oriented seminars for the students during the program.
Who funds LSP Students and how often are they in lab?
The high school student placed in lab has a stipend that is funded through KentuckianaWorks’ SummerWorks program. They will be paid hourly for a minimum of 20 hours and up to 30 hours of work per week in lab which can include discussion about the scientific process and the science they are working on, background material to read and discuss, hands on experience including collecting and analyzing data, practice summarizing and presenting their results, and attending weekly seminars hosted by LSP. The program lasts 7 weeks and typically begins the first week of June.
Do students need their own project?
The student does not need to have their own project, however they are expected to participate in meaningful scientific research that occurs in lab.
Can graduate students do the day-to-day mentoring?
Yes! This is also an excellent opportunity for your graduate students to gain mentoring experience under your oversight.
My lab does field work, is LSP suitable for this type of lab?
UofL faculty, staff, or students, are not allowed to provided transportation to LSP participants. Students are screened during the application process for reliable transportation to the Belknap and HSC campuses. We can work with labs and applicants to ensure that students have a way of independently getting to field sites.
Do students get safety training?
During orientation students receive Basic Lab Safety and Biohazard training from the DEHS office. Lab specific CITI or Bioraft trainings can be set up prior to orientation.
Can students work with animals?
LSP students are not allowed to work with live animals, but are allowed to work with fixed tissues.
What are students not allowed to do?
- Work alone in the lab
- Work with acutely toxic or highly hazardous chemicals
- Work at BSL3
- Work where select agents or toxins, or explosives are stored
- Work with Class IIIB and above lasers
- Work with Radioactive materials or radiation
- Package or ship hazardous materials
How do I apply to mentor an LSP Student?
Please use the link below to fill out a short application form.
Contact Us
If you have any additional questions before committing to becoming an LSP Mentor, please contact one of our Directors:
Katelyn Sheneman
[email protected]
Raeden Gray
[email protected]
Katelyn Sheneman
[email protected]
Raeden Gray
[email protected]