This past week, I had the opportunity to work at the High School Marine Lab Experience at the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies. Three years ago, I was a participant of the program and now this year I worked as a counselor. While working as a counselor, I picked up on some things that I did not notice before when I participated in the program that really stood out to me. I got different perspectives on the program both as a camper and a counselor that displays a lot more significance than people know.

This program is an annual trip that is offered to only 20 high school students across the nation. These students are selected based on their achievements and interest in the sciences and environmental studies. For one week, students get to spend a week at Catalina Island in the Wrigley Insitute to experience what it is like to be a college student conducting research for their majors. Throughout the week, students participate in activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, working in a research lab, and coming up with their own question and research to conduct and present before the week is over.

Being at age 16 at the time that I did the program, I was not sure what I wanted to do after high school in terms of what college to go to or what to major in. When I did the program, I recall it being such an amazing and influential experience that shaped my path towards majoring in biology and my interest in marine science. The counselors I had were extremely helpful and had much to share about their experience in college or what they knew about marine science. Having the opportunity to participate in a program like this really opened up my eyes and showed me the many opportunities there are for students like myself or others to pursue their passions and interests in life.

Now that I returned to the program this year, I gained the perspective both as a counselor and a current college student looking back at the new generation of high school students and possibly the next generation of scientists. What I learned from my experience with these students is that no matter what age or where you come from, everyone brings different gifts, talents, personalities, and other forms of thinking that allows others to learn from each other. This program could be seen as the first step into working in a college environment since colleges consist of students from diverse backgrounds but all united to study a subject they love and work together to learn more and create bigger things for the future. Additionally, this program helps students develop leadership skills, confidence,critical thinking, and social skills.

Here are some statements from a couple of bright students who participated in the program this week:

Jake Guthrie - "I like the program because I got to meet new friends that I will know for the rest of my life. Night snorkeling was pretty much the coolest thing I’ve done mostly because I learned what was in the water. I’m going to share what I learned with my school. Mostly my middle/high school. I really liked the bioluminescent. It was like nothing I’ve seen before."

Sara Pope - "I really enjoyed this program. It opened so many doors for me! I strongly enjoyed snorkeling, it was definitely my favorite part. I learned so much such as to how important bacteria is, and the types of fish in the protected area. I am going to do presentations at my school to share the information and do a follow-up newspaper article. One thing I will never forget from this week was seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time in my life."

Programs like these should be funded more as it allows younger students to get a taste of the possibilities of careers in science, it helps current research students or interns on the island to get more funding for their projects, and it all goes to an amazing cause to raise the next generation of scientists for the future.

I wish to thank the amazing staff and counselors I worked with this week and a huge thank you to the other amazing campers of this trip. My second time in the program was another experience to remember that has been a huge inspiration and has had an amazing impact on my life.