Research Apprenticeship Program 2014

The Research Apprenticeship Program provides Chicago-area high school students the opportunity to spend eight weeks working alongside zoo researchers and engaging in authentic research experiences. Past participants have helped Urban Wildlife Institute scientists monitoring biodiversity at Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo and learned about measuring animals’ stress and reproductive levels through hormonal analysis at the zoo’s Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology. As apprentices, participating youth will learn more about this career path while gaining experience in conservation research activities. The program will provide apprentices with support to fully integrate the experience into their academic goals, career plans and areas of personal strength. Learning will continue throughout the school year with Extended Connections, a program that includes both Research Apprentices and Career Explorers in monthly sessions. Group activities will help participants develop career awareness and tie their summer experiences to school studies.