The Department of Earth Sciences in Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences will play host to nearly 120 Liverpool High School 9th grade students interested in pursuing higher education in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields on Friday, Oct. 16.

The high-achieving honors students will enjoy a packed itinerary that will feature guided tours of the Syracuse and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry campuses; a series of meet and greets with faculty and graduate students; and a presentation in Moon Library on the use of the ESF/SU library research facilities with direct instruction on how to search for peer-reviewed scientific articles.

“My colleagues and I are thrilled to have the chance to connect and engage with high school students that possess a passion for science,” says Don Siegel, chair of Earth sciences and holder of the Heroy and Meredith professorships. “This event also serves as an ideal teaching opportunity for our graduate students who are heavily involved in the organization of the day’s itinerary and will provide day-of guidance and mentorship to the high school students we are hosting.”

Using what they learned during their visit to campus, participating students will be asked to write a paper on a research topic of their choosing and present their projects at a symposium in March 2016 at Liverpool High School.