Center for Gifted Education Policy - Catalyst Project

Background and Goals 

The American Psychological Association’s (APA) Center for Gifted Education Policy organizes the Catalyst Project for a select number of gifted adolescents who will enter their junior or senior year in high school.  Catalyst is a year-long mentoring opportunity for these young scholars who have demonstrated commitment to and interest in chemistry.

The Catalyst project is designed to provide support for transforming students with demonstrated talents in chemistry into the next generation of innovators by integrating the creativity of eminent scholars (Masters), rising stars in the field (Associates), and high-achieving adolescents who demonstrate exceptional abilities (Scholars).

Participants

Four Masters will represent their respective sub fields of chemistry.  Each Master works in a team comprised of 3 Scholars, and one or two Associates they may bring to the summit.  These Associates are highly talented and accomplished individuals in their field who will assist the Masters develop their daily meetings during the Catalyst week and help the Scholars develop their projects during the post summit school year.  Other Catalyst summit participants include Resident Assistants who will ensure the safety and community of the Scholars and APA staff.

Before the Summit

Application and Selection Process:  APA has spoken with each Master individually to determine what qualifications, interests and abilities he/she would like in their Scholars. Using that information to put together a customized application, candidates are solicited through our networks of talent searches.  We will make every effort to find students who live in close proximity to the Master they are applying to work with.  The Masters will read the applications and select the students whose applications seem most suitable.  The Masters are also welcome and encouraged to conduct phone interviews with the Scholar candidates as a part of the selection process.  By mid-February, 3 Scholars will be selected for each Catalyst team.

Post-selection, pre-summit:  In the spring and early summer, in advance of the Catalyst summit, Masters may contact their Scholars in order to set expectations for the week.  Readings may be assigned or other preparation for the experience. 

During the Summit

Masters will meet with their team each morning for 2 ½ hours for lectures/tutorials and also to help develop a project in their domain with each of the Scholars.  Additionally, during the summit week, each Master will present a talk to all of the other Catalyst participants for approximately an hour on a topic of interest in her or his field, followed by a question-and-answer session.  During lunch the next day, the Master will host a more informal conversation, where participants can continue discussing the ideas raised from their presentation in a more casual setting. 

The summit will also include cultural events at outstanding artistic venues in the Berkshire Mountains, such as Tanglewood and the Shakespeare Theatre.  We are inviting some eminent artists to join us for lectures and other activities. Catalyst features a talent show in which Scholars and Associates participate in some way at the end of the week.  Time is also set aside to socialize with other participants during dinners, recreation, hiking, a barbecue, and more.

After the Summit

Project:  Each Scholar will develop a research project with the help of the Master which they will present at the Catalyst reunion the following year. Masters guide the students’ work closely during the summit week, then follow up with their Scholars over the course of the succeeding academic year as Scholars develop their projects.  Each Scholar may visit the Master and/or Associate (s) at least once, however given their geographical proximity and the scope of their research project, possibly more often. The Scholar is expected to drive the process related to completing the project and should connect with the Master or Associate(s) once a month over email or phone.  

Reunion:  Masters, Scholars and Associates return to Catalyst in the summer of 2009 for a reunion weekend with all of the 2008 participants in order for Scholars to present their projects and for everyone to meet and greet the 2009 class of Catalyst participants. 

Additional Information

All expenses are paid, including transportation, hotel, meals, and cultural activities. 

Click here to download an application for the Nanoscience and Materials Chemistry session.