DoDEA Pacific student participates in prestigious Research Science Institute at MIT

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Edgren High School junior Sola Sharai is one of 80 exceptional science and math high school whizzes around the world attending the 31st annual Research Science Institute at one of the nation’s most prestigious universities from June 22 to Aug. 2.

RSI is a six-week intensive program jointly sponsored with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and managed by the Center for Excellence in Education. The program focuses on science and engineering by providing students with the opportunity to conduct original, innovative research in state-of-the-art university laboratories, hospitals and corporate research facilities.

“Sola has a solid foundation and works consistently and relentlessly to reach excellence,” said Edgren HS Principal Georgia Watters. “Sola is ingenious, imaginative and a visionary who has the backing of a creative and supportive parent as well as teachers who realize his potential.”

Sharai has always dreamed of becoming a scientist and hopes the summer program will allow him to, “understand and experience what it is really like to learn high-level sciences and conduct scientific research.”

“Attending the RSI is something that I've aspired to do since my freshman year,” said Sharai, who will start his senior year with Edgren HS at the end of August. “There's no better way that I could imagine myself spending the summer than to learn science at one of the nation's best colleges and meeting other amazing and accomplished high school students.”

The heart of RSI is the five-week research internship where students conduct individual projects under the tutelage of mentors who are experienced scientists and researchers. During the final week of RSI, students prepare written and oral presentations on their research projects and must present their findings in a rigorous peer-review setting.

 “For other students who are thinking about applying to the RSI, the best advice that I can give is to always push yourself,” added Sharai. “Never give up an opportunity to learn, never be lazy or take the easy way out, and always try your best at any challenge that comes your way”

About the Research Science Institute:

Each summer, 80 of the world's most accomplished high school students from around the world gather at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the Research Science Institute. Selection to the RSI program is highly competitive. RSI offers a unique summer science and engineering program that combines on-campus coursework in scientific theory with off-campus work in science and technology research.

Participants experience the entire research cycle from start to finish. They read the most current literature in their field, draft and execute a detailed research plan, and deliver conference-style oral and written reports on their findings.
http://www.cee.org/research-science-institute