Project SEED Celebrates 40 Years

By Cecilia Hernandez

“Crossing Generations and Energizing Minds” was the theme of the 40th anniversary of Project SEED at the 236th ACS National Meeting in Philadelphia.

During the past four decades, the ACS Project SEED Program has been extremely successful in contributing to the career development and educational growth of disadvantaged youth. The program has offered more than 9,000 chemistry-related research experiences to high school students from economically disadvantaged families. Students had the opportunity to spend eight to ten weeks during the summer as a “research assistant,” working on a one-to-one basis with volunteer research scientists in chemistry laboratories nationwide. Project SEED is successful in stimulating the participant’s interest in science. A large percentage of SEED students go on to earn college degrees, many in the chemical sciences.

The celebration began early Monday morning on August 18, as part of the Presidential events in Philadelphia. Project SEED cosponsored a technical session, which described several successful research projects in which high school students have successfully participated in cutting-edge research alongside their mentors and co-workers. The celebration continued at the Committee on Minority Affairs luncheon, which honored the 40th anniversary of Project SEED. More than 200 guests were present. ACS recognized long-time mentors and coordinators as well as Project SEED donors who have provided contributions of $50,000 or more.

At the anniversary symposium,“Crossing Generations and Energizing Minds,” Glenn Fuller, who was present at the creation of Project SEED in 1968, gave an historical account of the program. Current and long-time mentors and coordinators Cecilia Marzabadi, Andy Jorgensen, and Jared Anderson talked about the rewarding nature of the program, how Project SEED plays an integral part in the lives of the students, exposing them to the scientific process. They also spoke about the positive impact of SEED on their institutions. Bryce Hach, contributor to Project SEED, talked about Project SEED as a unique program that addresses all the major concerns in American chemistry today.

The exacting interest of the symposium were the stories told by former SEED students who explained how their SEED experience changed their lives and motivated them to pursue studies in science, the value of the mentor-student relationship, how mentors nurtured the self-confidence necessary to accept the successive set of opportunities that lie ahead, and how SEED sparked a passion for the scientific world and, more importantly, provided numerous real work skills, confidence building and mentoring at an early stage of their career. These scientists — Kevin Hunt, Medicinal Chemist at Array BioPharma, Tracey Braun, Quality Specialist at Abbott Laboratories, Chanda Glover, Metallurgical Engineer at Alcoa, and Alexandra Severino, Chemistry Teacher at South Bronx Preparatory School and SEED coordinator — also spoke about their current work experiences and thanked Project SEED for the tremendous impact the program has had on their lives.

The symposium concluded with remarks from ACS President Bruce Bursten, who thanked all the participants of the symposium, especially the four alumni speakers. He stressed that Project SEED represents an ongoing investment by ACS and its members in ensuring the vitality of the chemical enterprise into the future.

The celebration concluded with a reception attended by nearly 200 students and guests. In his opening remarks, President Bursten recognized and honored the contributions of more than 400 outstanding coordinators and mentors who have dedicated themselves to the program: “They are the heart of Project SEED,” said Bursten. “Their time and effort is critical for providing a meaningful experience for SEED students.” He also thanked all the Project SEED sponsors and contributors throughout the 40 years of the program. Alfred Bader, founder of the Project SEED Summer II program, gave special remarks and discussed the significance of Project SEED. “I like to think of Project SEED more in terms of what the word SEED really means – the SEED, the beginning of a really good life,” he said. Bader told the current students:

“Isabel (Alfred Bader’s wife) and I are so proud of your achievements. You, the Project SEED students, have done so well with your opportunities and you are role models. We want you to know how very delighted, how thrilled we are at your successes.”

At the reception, several mentors and coordinators were presented with a certificate of recognition and with a Project SEED 40th anniversary T-shirt and lapel pin.

Later that evening, more than 100 Project SEED students presented their research at Sci-Mix.

The Project SEED Committee recognizes the time and effort spent by mentors and other volunteers who have participated in the program in the past four decades. Thanks also to the many individuals, corporations, and other institutions whose financial support has helped make this remarkable program a great success. The Committee is also very proud the thousands of students who have participated in the program over the years and congratulates them on their success.