CLiPS hosts pre-college research initiative programs for students in the local school systems called the Polymer Envoys Program.  In this program, students are identified during their sophomore year as having the potential to be successful in science and engineering.  Selected students are assigned to a CLiPS graduate student mentor and do research with that mentor during their junior year, the summer between their junior and senior years, and their senior year.  During the academic year the time commitment is five hours per week, while the students work full-time for six weeks over the summer.  Students present posters on their research project at least twice per year and are invited to attend various CLiPS events.

In addition to research, the Polymer Envoys students develop demonstrations that can be shown to middle school students and younger high school students.  These demonstrations illustrate general polymer science concepts, as well as discussing the student’s project and CLiPS activities.  Envoys students are expected to do at least one demonstration each semester they are in the program. For their time and effort, participants are given a stipend.

CLiPS Currently operates Polymer Envoys Programs at Case/CMSD, Texas/AISD, and RIT/Rochester, and will soon expand to other CLiPS Institutions. In Cleveland, current schools participating are East High School, Glenville High School, and Health Careers @ Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School. If you are a student at one of these schools and would like to be considered, please contact the counselor for the science or technology small school for an application in early January.