Enrichment Opportunities

The Summer Science Program (SSP) offers high school juniors not-for-credit collaborative research tracks in Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Genomics, and Synthetic Chemistry hosted on college campuses throughout the country. They are need blind and meet 100% of demonstrated financial need (as determined by our financial aid application) for every admitted student including need-based aid for flights, room, and board, etc. Students spend 5 weeks doing hands-on, collaborative science research, learning how to use professional research equipment, conducting experiments, and sharing real-world findings.

SSP admits students based on who they are and what they bring to the program, not based on their ability to pay. Families with annual income of $75,000 and below generally attend at no cost (including flights, room and board, and all program fees), and those with annual income of $140,000 and below generally receive at least partial aid. A limited quantity of $3,000 stipends, in addition to no-cost attendance, are available to offset lost wages for admitted students who would have needed to work during the summer.

Applying to the Summer Science Program is free. Before you begin, read through the pages under the Explore tab on the website (link is below). Check that you meet the prerequisites, and decide whether you would rather do research in Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Genomics, or Synthetic Chemistry. You may only apply to one. The application deadline for domestic applicants is February 21, 2025.

Links
Summer Science Program: https://tinyurl.com/53urkth6
Explore the program: https://summerscience.org/the-ssp-experience/what-is-ssp/
Prerequisites: https://summerscience.org/admissions/prerequisites/
Program dates: https://summerscience.org/the-ssp-experience/program-dates/
Application Link: https://summerscience.org/admissions/how-to-apply/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIFE3xleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVWhTjPxINrtWIDi8huoZ-gb7CJZ52ZGPeBkp93HCtpzMsGeKNYSvBv5xQ_aem_O8Unt2fEQRFVR9_p4SI5jw

JMRL’s Teen Creative Arts Magazine (Teen Zine) gives all teens in the library’s service area the opportunity to share their talents and work together on a project showcasing a range of artistry.

All library users ages 11-18 who reside in JMRL's service area are invited submit works to JMRL's inaugural teen creative arts magazine (zine). Please check this document for guidelines and more information. Deadline for submissions is Friday, February 28th at 5pm. 

Please note: this form and submissions may be a matter of public record under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Submission Guidelines:
Accepting Writing and 2D art
Open to ages 11-18
Author/artist must reside within JMRL service area
Submissions must be original in their entirety
Writing limit is 1,000 words or less
Submitted electronically as a file type (PDF, PNG or JPEG)
Will not accept original art pieces (must be photo or scan)
Will not accept paper submissions

Teen Creative Arts Magazine: https://jmrl.org/teen-creative-arts-magazine
Application Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdGzPWMlsaKNcgi5Om_T8zguZfL2yO5uu5xzUb-Z1bRqW8rhQ/viewform

Please see Mr. Frank Phillips for more information.
 

Students who would like to volunteer with the Jefferson Albemarle Regional Library should consider applying to be a JMRL Teen Volunteer. Students should complete this application and select which type of volunteer position interests them. 

Note: 13 is the minimum age to volunteer independently. Teen Advisory Boards (TAB) and Volunteer Teen Zine Editor positions are open to ages 11-18. 

You may download the application, print it, and bring it to any JMRL library branch. 
Teen Volunteer Application: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g1jApkqwkmUWmTFwsoq838ECb0TCsvQky5o2aoucRUY/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.te9wyhgp0yc 

Adults 18 and older should fill out the JMRL Adult Volunteer Application.
Adult Volunteer Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfC04jNzYRJ7C92jsI2MfOs9HUsWORr2TfkUDHlRWSWnZ2cFw/viewform

If you’re contacted to volunteer, you will be given a paper contract to be signed by you and your parent or guardian and returned to library staff. 

The Congressional Award provides opportunities for young people to unleash their potential by achieving personal goals focused on volunteerism, character development, and fitness.

The United States Congress established The Congressional Award in 1979 to recognize initiative, service, and achievement in young people. It began as a bipartisan effort in both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals.

Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. The program is open to all 14- to 24-year olds regardless of ability, circumstance, or socioeconomic status. Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals.

PARTICIPANT TIMELINE

• Register and submit your one-time $25 registration fee
• Sign up for a Submittable account
• Set your goals
• Work toward your goals
• Receive your award
• Move to the next level

Start the process & learn more

St. Anne’s-Belfield alumni have successfully earned silver and gold medals. Please reach out to Mrs. Sohne-Johnston to learn more. Students should check their email for links to the program brochure and workbook. It can take 7 or more months to earn the Bronze Medal and 24 months or more to earn the Gold Medal.

We are excited to share a brand NEW opportunity to celebrate and empower leaders in our student community! The Emerging Innovator Awards will recognize the top-100 high school students from around the world whose extraordinary efforts are making positive impacts on their local communities and helping to drive societal advancement. This recognition not only celebrates achievements but also provides honorees with valuable resources to advance their innovative efforts and make an even greater impact.

Recognition as an Emerging Innovator honoree includes:

• *A chance to win part of the $20,000 prize pool, including a top prize of $5,000 for the Emerging Innovator of the Year.
• *An invitation to the Limitless World Summit on May 1–2, 2025, in Wilmington, Delaware. Any high school student in good academic standing is eligible to apply by January 31, 2025.

The application includes further details on the award process and timeline and will ask applicants to submit a candidate profile, a 2-minute leadership impact video, and a statement of support.

Full details on the submission, timeline, and prize pool as well as the application link can be found here:

• Link to the Limitless World Summit: https://limitlessworldsummit.org/ 
• Emerging Innovator Awards: https://diamondchallenge.org/emerginginnovator/

Horatio Alger Scholarship
We are excited to share that the Horatio Alger Association scholarship application for high school juniors is OPEN! 

The Horatio Alger Association is seeking students that display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, and plan to pursue higher education.  Students must have financial need and a determination to turn their adversity into opportunity and pursue their American Dream.

If you would like to know more about the Horatio Alger Association scholarships, please consider attending our live Info Session in January. 

600+ scholarships available of up to $25,000 each are available. Application deadline is March 1, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
*Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
*Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
*Demonstrate financial need ($65,000 or lower household income)
*Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
*Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity

Horatio Alger Application Instructions and Information