Self-made Engineering Leaders of the Future (SELF) for High School Students

Connecting rural students to STEM careers through research, mentoring and community service in forest bio-products

2024 SELF camp cohort in front of the UMaine Forest Bioproducts Research Institute

The Self-made Engineering Leaders of the Future (SELF) Institute is a residential program for Maine’s rural high school students. The week-long program will focus on the responsible use of forest ecosystems as a building block for sustainable and renewable energy. Students will explore cutting-edge forest bioproducts research at the University of Maine by participating in demonstrations, hands-on projects and field trips. Participants will also have recreational activities at the New Balance Student Recreation Center.

This program started as a partnership between College of Engineering, Forest Bioproducts Research Institute and University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA.

Self Activities Slides
SELF camp participant using a microscope

Institute activities include

  • Demonstrations of physical principles and properties of wood and wood products
  • Visiting University Forest to learn about harvest methods and systems, logging equipment and costs
  • Observation and work on chemical and physical processes in the making of transportation fuels (ethanol, jet fuel) from woody biomass and estimate the cost of manufacturing
  • Analysis of sustainability attitudes
  • Focus group on renewable energy in Maine

To qualify for the institute applicants must

  • Have an interest in science and technology
  • Submit a report card
  • Submit an essay on why they want to participate in the institute
  • Have at least one letter of recommendation

Questions?

Email chelsea.mullin@maine.edu.