The STARS (Science, Technology and Research Scholars) Program provides first year students through seniors with an integrated experience in research, course-based study and development of mentorship skills. STARS identifies and supports students from groups that are underrepresented in scientific and technological disciplines and students who come from disadvantaged circumstances, in any of Yale's natural sciences and engineering majors.

Since its inception in 1995, STARS has been providing academic enrichment and research opportunities for first year students and sophomores. The program expanded in 1999 to include juniors and seniors in a STARS II academic year and summer research program. More than 100 students each year participate in STARS programs.

The core of the STARS I academic year program is a set of study groups that accompany the first and second year courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Faculty advisors and a graduate student from each department supervise the groups. Each study group also has an undergraduate facilitator who has previously taken the same course; undergraduate facilitators receive training to support the development of mentorship skills. During the summer, STARS I provides support for participation of first and second year students in independent research in the laboratories of Yale faculty members.

Thomas Hocker, STARS '02, leads an Organic Chemistry study group.

The STARS II program provides an intensive research experience for juniors and seniors. During the academic year, STARS II scholars receive a stipend to support up to ten hours a week of research in the laboratory of a faculty mentor. In the summer, the program provides stipend support for students to continue their research for eight weeks. Each spring, STARS II scholars present their research to student and faculty STARS program participants at the STARS II Symposium.

STARS students enjoy a number of structured enrichment activities during term-time. Special dinners bring together scientists in various disciplines from Yale and other schools, graduate and medical school panels provide guidance in career development, and scholars are encouraged to attend national and regional science conferences.

Summer 2007 STARS Participants

The STARS Program is made possible through the generous support of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Boehringer Ingelheim.

For further information about the STARS Program, please contact the Administrative Director, Dean Shelly Lowe.