Frequently Asked Questions – CCW
Who is eligible to apply?
The CCW is a unique program because it is open to both students and teachers to participate. They will work together in teams throughout the workshop.
Students: Current 10th or 11th graders and attend a public school or public charter school in one of the following school districts: San Francisco Unified School District, South San Francisco Unified School District, Jefferson Union High School District, Oakland Unified School District, Hayward Unified School District, or West Contra Costa Unified School District.
Teachers: Must be a science teacher and teach at a public school or public charter school in one of the following school districts: San Francisco Unified School District, South San Francisco Unified School District, Jefferson Union High School District, Oakland Unified School District, Hayward Unified School District, or West Contra Costa Unified School District.
We encourage students from a background considered historically marginalized in the sciences (individuals from racial/ethnic groups typically historically marginalized in the sciences, individuals with disabilities, first-generation college students, individuals who reside with families who are low income or otherwise considered disadvantaged, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+) to apply.
When is the application due?
Sunday, March 19, 2023 at midnight.
When and where does the program take place?
Friday, June 16th – Friday, June 30th 2023, 9am – 3pm, M-F daily. There will be no workshop on Monday, June 19th in observance of Juneteenth. The CCW takes place at the UCSF Mission Bay campus.
We will provide a travel stipend for students who commute from outside of San Francisco using public transportation. Teachers will receive parking validation.
What do I need to include in my application?
- Teachers: Completed electronic application form.
- Students: Completed electronic application form and letter of recommendation. Only one letter of recommendation is required, but you may submit up to two. The required letter has to be from one of your teachers; it can be from a non-science teacher. The optional second letter can be from anyone.
How do I submit the application?
Teacher and student applications will be submitted online.
Students: Your teacher needs to submit their letter of recommendation online also — they will receive a link to submit it once you finish your application. Give your recommender(s) this document, which includes instructions for what to submit and how to submit it.
How do you select participants?
We read every application very carefully and use each component of the application to inform our decision. Through the application, tell us about why we should select you. We don’t use grades or academic achievement as an indicator of potential success in this program. Instead, we want to know that you have some interest in science or engineering and that this program could help make a difference in your life.
The ideal candidate will show us:
- Evidence of maturity and responsibility
- Evidence of persistence through challenges
- Science or Engineering interest
- Motivation to participate in this program
How many participants do you accept?
We accept 12-15 students and 4-5 teachers. We don’t conduct interviews.
When will I know if I’m accepted into the program?
We will notify students and teachers via email in April.
Do I need to know how to code to participate?
No, coding knowledge is not necessary. We do recommend that students to have taken at least one biology class in high school.
Can I participate in other summer programs if I do this one?
As long as your other summer programs don’t interfere with the timing of the CCW, you can participate in other summer programs.
How do you use the status of “underrepresented in science” as priority criteria?
The Science and Health Education Partnership’s commitment to increasing equity in STEM. Specifically, we prioritize the acceptance of students from backgrounds underrepresented in this field who are interested in Biology and Engineering and want to learn more about both. As stated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “In spite of tremendous advancements in scientific research, information, education, and research opportunities are not equally available to all”, and they identify individuals from the groups below as nationally underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences.
- Black or African American, Hispanic or Latine, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander and the following Asian groups only: Filipino, Hmong, Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, Bhutanese and Burmese.
- Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
- Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, defined as those who meet two or more of the following criteria:
- Were or currently are homeless
- Were or currently are in the foster care system
- Were/are eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years
- Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree
- Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants
- Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child
- Grew up in a U.S. rural area or a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas
In addition to the NIH definitions, we also include individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ as underrepresented. Access data and further explanations here.
I am from a school/district not listed above for this program. Are there other summer science programs for high school students that I can do?
Check out this list we’ve put together!