Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, who retired from the U.S. Navy in 1982 after 63 years of service and who was active in the school-reform movement following Sputnik, is taking a personal interest in the science training of high-school students.
The well-known naval officer, who helped establish the Admiral H.G. Rickover Foundation in 1982 to promote excellence in science, education, and business, is launching a competition to select outstanding high-school juniors from the U.S. and abroad to participate in a six-week summer science institute.
This month, the Rickover Foundation sent a brochure to some 2,000 high schools and school-district offices nationwide to announce the institute.
The foundation will select one student from each of the 50 states and 10 students from foreign countries to participate in the program, according to William P. Stuart, director of the institute.
Admiral Rickover will chair a 16-member panel composed of institute staff and leading scientists and educators to select students for the program.
The candidates will be judged on the basis of performance on standardized tests, letters of recommendation from science advisers, the merits of a “self-nomination” letter, and demonstrated academic excellence in mathematics, the sciences, and the verbal arts, according to Mr. Stuart.
The purpose of the summer institute is “to equip our intellectually gifted and talented students with the knowledge and skills necessary for their development as future leaders in mathematics and science,” according to foundation officials.
Peer Interaction
“We are looking for students who not only can intellectually cope with on-campus and internship work but who will benefit from it. There will be intensive interaction with peers, prominent faculty members, and research mentors,” Mr. Stuart said.
Requests for full applications for the program, which will extend from July 8 to Aug. 18, must be made by Feb. 7, and applications must be filed within a month of that date, Mr. Stuart said.
Courses will be taught by three college professors and six high-school teachers, according to Mr. Stuart, who said that the Xerox Corporation has agreed to donate the use of its International Center for Training and Management Development in Leesburg, Va., for this year’s summer session.
The Rickover Foundation will cover the cost of tuition, room, and board for students. They will have to pay only for their transportation to and from the Virginia site, Mr. Stuart said.
Application forms and further information about the institute can be obtained from William P. Stuart, Program Director, the Rickover Science Institute, the Admiral H.G. Rickover Foundation, 7710 Old Springhouse Rd., McLean, Va. 22102; (703) 448-9062.--sr
