Virgin Islands Youth Excel in Prestigious STEMMPREP Project, Preparing for Careers in Science and Medicine

Two Virgin Islands students excelled during the 2024 STEMMPREP Project Summer Internship, which focuses on science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM). The STEMMPREP Project, organized by the Distance Learning Center (DLC), offers underrepresented minority students the opportunity to work alongside scientists and doctors, gaining hands-on experience in their chosen fields. Jonathan Tucker, a ninth grader from Charlotte Amalie High School, and Naitik Jhanwar, also in ninth grade from All Saints High School, participated in the seven-week research internship at the University of Pennsylvania from June 22 to August 10, 2024. During the program, they were mentored by university faculty and post-doctoral fellows, engaging in a curriculum that included weekly career seminars, tours of Pennsylvania colleges, and field trips to local landmarks. The internship culminated in a presentation of their research findings to their peers, mentors, and family members. Jonathan’s resea...