TCU Department of Physics & Astronomy

TCU Research Apprentices Program

		REU Program
		TCU Research Apprentices Program

Science and technology makes our lives better. We use it everyday. Science can be cool. But what do you know about science? Do you know how science is done? The United States is a leader in scientific research. Would you like to participate in a real scientific research that can make a difference in tomorrow’s world in a university lab setting?

The TCU physics department is offering high school students the chance to participate in journal-worthy research projects through its Research Apprentices Program (RAP).

“I was fortunate enough to participate in a similar program when I was an undergraduate,” says Dr. Yuri Strzhemechny, assistant professor of physics and astronomy and director of the program. “During that time, our collaboration produced a number of publications in scientific journals. The high school students gained experience in conducting research before they entered college.”

The program targets strong achievers who are high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. The synergistic activity benefits its participants on both sides, by creating a direct link between the high school science curricula and research performed at TCU. Additionally, the program’s creators hope it will create a link with the Fort Worth community, the program participants, as well as their parents and peers, so all may re-discover TCU with its diverse and vibrant environment.

What can you get from it?
1. Real research lab experience
2. Improvement of your knowledge of science
3. Potential for co-authoring research journal papers
4. Potential for being a presenter at national and international scientific conferences
5. Competing and winning at local and national science competitions
6. Significantly improving your resume and college application credentials
7. Winning college scholarships

What do we expect from you?
1. Interest in science
2. Curiosity
3. Long-term commitment to research
4. Readiness to learn new skills and improve your science education
5. Ability to work in a team

What kind of research will I participate in?

1. Currently there are several professors in the TCU Department of Physics and Astronomy who are inviting high school research apprentices to their laboratories: Dr. P. M. Frinchaboy(Observational Astronomy), Dr. W. R. M. Graham (Molecular Physics, Solid State Physics), Dr. B. N. Miller (Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics), Dr. Yuri M. Strzhemechny (Solid State Physics, Properties of Nanomaterials), Dr. T. W. Zerda (Solid State Physics, Properties of Nanomaterials).
2. You will be working with faculty as well as the members of their research teams – graduate and undergraduate students, post-doctoral researchers as well as science teachers participating in the program.
3. You will have a chance to learn about most recent scientific problems, work with modern scientific equipment, prepare materials for experiments, write research presentations and papers, travel to conferences and competitions.

How can you join us?
1. Let your science teacher know that you want to participate
2. You can contact us directly

For more information, contact us at 817-257-7375.

Download RAP Brochure