Poised to explore a future in medicine, KAYLEE credits a CTD Summer Program class with encouraging her scientific interests. Kaylee took Introduction to Biomedicine Honors three summers ago, and says she felt “immersed in the world of medicine” as she conducted lab work. “Biomedicine gave me the resources and tools I needed to excel academically, and sparked my interests in medicine that have greatly influenced my future,” says the rising high-school senior, noting that her plans for further study include medical school with a specialization in pediatric oncology.


AMAYA is a fifth grader who has participated in Forensic Investigations; Spies: The Science of Espionage; Our Solar System & the Universe; and Zoology: Animal Behavior and Biology. Her favorite CTD course has been Forensic Investigations. Reflecting on her time in class, Amaya says, “we were able to do a lot of fun activities like dissect an owl pellet and analyze bone samples of different animals. These are things I’d never thought I’d do or learn about as a fourth grader, and things I have never learned in school!” Currently a yellow belt in Karate, Amaya has a wide array of interests outside of CTD. She enjoys taking family vacations, volunteering her time at Feed My Starving Children, doing arts and crafts, and reading anything from horror to fantasy. Amaya hasn’t decided what she would like to do in the future but says, “maybe I’ll be a scientist or maybe I’ll be a writer—I’m not sure. But the classes make me want to learn more!” As for the coming school year, Amaya is looking forward to being one of the oldest kids in school, so she can help all the younger students.


For now, the self-described “inquisitive, driven, and passionate” Kaylee is actively seeking—and creating—opportunities for scientific engagement. Recently, she returned to the Northwestern campus to intern in a pulmonary research lab, and she plans to continue working with Northwestern through a neuroscience partnership with her school. The coming year also promises a journey to Costa Rica with her AP Biology class, where Kaylee will learn about biodiversity and conservation by exploring rainforests and assisting in research.


When not pursuing other passions— including learning Mandarin Chinese and performing with her school’s Latin dance team—Kaylee works to share her love of science with others. “I want to be a part of the wider efforts of making scientific education accessible to all students from all socioeconomic backgrounds,” Kaylee explains. She’s already founded a STEM club at an elementary school, drawing on her time in Introduction to Biomedicine as she leads the students. “CTD gave me the opportunity to explore science through many fun, hands-on activities, and my instructors always encouraged me to pursue my love of medicine,” she reflects. “From them I learned the importance of having strong role models in my life, and that led to me to strive to be that role model for the kids in my community.”


AVI is an eighth grader who has participated in ten different CTD courses, from Python Programming and Java Programming Honors to Effective Essay Writing and Pen to Podium. Avi says a honors-level writing course through CTD’s online program has been his favorite, “…because of the amazing writing questions the course gave, and how it improved my writing skills and made me rethink my writing process.” Avi is a talented writer and public speaker, to which he credits his constant practice in school combined with the extra practice he receives from his CTD courses. “Both these skills have not only been valuable to me academically but have also helped by giving me self-confidence,” says Avi. As an avid explorer of other cultures, Avi recently took a trip through Eastern Europe—finding the architecture, food, and people “amazing and interesting!” In the future, Avi would like to explore a career as a forensic scientist—a field he was introduced to through his experience in CTD’s Forensic Analysis course.


Center for Talent Development


ctd.northwestern.edu


ctd.northwestern.edu


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