High school students showcase their summer research projects in Agriculture

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- High School students in Fresno County had the opportunity to showcase their summer work to local leaders at a showcase on Tuesday.

The annual event which helps connect students to agriculture and research is hosted by Reedley College, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center and University of California's, Kearny Agriculture Research and Extension Center, or KARE, in Parlier.

The event is part of Reedley College's Upward Bound Program and their partners, which connects high school seniors interested in research-based fields, with local scientists.

The goal is to help build the future generation of researchers.

This year, 8 students collected data for five weeks in various agricultural projects.

Including, Reedley High School Senior, Emily Nava, who presented her findings on insects and grapevines to a crowd on Tuesday.

"It's very fortunate for me to be able to be here and do this research. A lot of people would be willing and want to do this research even in college, so I think it's really helpful to me in my journey," says Emily.

Emily will be a first-generation college student..

She says she is grateful for the opportunity, especially because the internship aligns with her future plans.

Emily mentions, "I've always wanted to be a veterinarian and for that you need research lab work so I feel that the USDA internship helps with that because it taught me about sterilization lab techniques protocols and guidelines to follow so I think it will really help."

During Tuesday's showcase families were invited to tour the research center and listen in on the latest ag research.

It's the program's highlight of work done year-round by Reedley College and local high school seniors..

Leaders say the goal is to continue building bridges- between small communities and future opportunities in science fields.

"We're not just connecting students with researchers, we're doing it at a much younger age than would normally happen in the education process, so young people in high school are now coming into contact with working scientists," explains Dr. Jerry Buckley, the President of Reedley College.

Dr. Sandra Fuentes, Reedley's Dean of Early College continues, "Our students are often first generation and come from marginalized backgrounds and have not had the exposure or opportunity to be able to participate in these types of projects and so it really is an openly to bring the community, families and education together in order to highlight the great work that we are doing."

Reedley College partners with 9 local high schools.

Students interested in the Upward Bound Programs are encouraged to reach out to their high school counselors.

Students can start as early as freshman year.

For more information on the Upward Bound Program, and a list of schools nationwide, you can visit here.

For information on similar resources, like TRIO, visit here.

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