APPLY | BOBBIE CATES HICKS SMART PROGRAM

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The fillable parts of this document must be completed, and original letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and ACT scores must be scanned, added to the file as a single pdf, and E-mailed to krisclements@gmail.com.

Due: February 28, 2026 By 4:00PM

   

Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training Program

*Course Description: The BOSSIER Parish School System, CADDO Parish School System, DESOTO Parish School System, LSU Health Shreveport, and the BRF are partners in an exciting program, Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training (SMART), which allows high school students to earn science credit under the guidance of biomedical personnel and a certified science educator.

Purpose: Hicks SMART Program will provide opportunities for academically advanced students who are interested in careers related to medicine, research, and biomedical engineering to benefit from intensive research projects led by basic sciences faculty and staff. Students will participate in the investigations as they master instrumentation and technology.

Instructors: Staff of LSU Health Shreveport, Coordinator of the Hicks SMART Program

Credit: One Carnegie unit of credit per semester (enriched science elective)

Class Time: Two class periods per day. – or minimum of 10 hours weekly

Eligibility: Seniors will have completed biology and chemistry, and completed or be enrolled in AP courses of the aforementioned sciences or in physics. Documented ACT score with a score of 28 or higher (composite or science area). Grade of A or B on all high school science coursework. Principal, science department, and counselor documentation to indicate exemplary attendance and behavior, satisfactory completion of assignments, and overall academic performance. Career interest in research, medicine, or biomedical engineering.

Process: Coordinator works with high school principals, science coordinators/supervisors, and counselors to select students. After placement of students at LSU Health Shreveport coordinator meets with students on scheduled basis for training assignments, ethics, safety, and mentoring.

Number of Participants: 8-12 (dependent on number of participating research mentors)

Assurances: Applicable local, state, and federal regulations will be followed.

OBJECTIVES
  1. Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigation
  2. Design and conduct scientific investigations
  3. Use technology to improve investigations and communications
  4. Apply statistical analysis to experimental data
  5. Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence
  6. Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models
  7. Communicate and defend scientific argument
  8. Utilize safety procedures during scientific investigations
  9. Understand that scientists conduct investigations for reasons, such as explanation of new areas, discovery of new aspects in the medical world, confirmation of prior investigations, prediction of current theories and comparison of models and theories
  10. Understand that scientists must adhere to criteria (proposed explanation must have logical structure, abide by rules of evidence, be open to questions and modifications, be based on historical and current scientific knowledge, and be adequately reported to enhance further investigations
  11. Understand that scientists rely on state-of-the-art technology to enhance gathering and manipulation of data
SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES
  1. Experience with instrumentation and equipment not accessible to regular high school science programs
    1. Gel electrophoresis
    2. Column chromatography
    3. Electron microscopy
    4. Lypholization
    5. Tissue sectioning
    6. MRI and PET scanning
    7. Flash evaporation and fraction collecting
    8. Video microscopy
    9. Microbiological instrumentation
    10. Photomicroscopy
  2. Calibration standards used in experimental procedures
  3. Protocol procedures with instrumentation
  4. Statistical analysis of data
  5. Work as a team member of an interdisciplinary affinity group
  6. Preparation of abstracts and research papers for competition and publication
  7. Preparation and presentation of seminars
COURSE STRUCTURE
  1. Participants will be assigned a laboratory.
  2. During the summer, participants will work 40 hours per week for seven weeks in their assigned laboratories and receive monetary compensation for their work.
  3. During the academic year, participants will meet two periods a day, five days a week (or for a minimum of 10 hours per week) during each semester.
  4. Coordinator will serve as school systems’ liaison and will meet with participants to facilitate work ethic, safety in the workplace, and research presentations.
  5. Participants will receive guidance on preparing research papers, abstracts, and multimedia presentations.
  6. Participants will work cooperatively as team members and will be expected to share their work with their peers and the professional staff.
OPPORTUNITIES
  1. Regional, state, national, and international science competitions
  2. Application to the Louisiana Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
  3. Application to the Regeneron Science Talent Search
  4. Scholarship opportunities
  5. Possible future summer employment
  6. Career pathways

EVALUATION
Evaluation of student performance will be based on written and verbal input from the professional staff.  Academic and task performance, cooperative participation, consistent attendance, and punctuality will be evaluated.  The professional staff will assign grades, and the program coordinator will manage all record keeping.  The school system’s grading scale will be used in assigning all grades.

IMPLEMENTATION

JANUARY

  • Applications become available

FEBRUARY

  • The principals, counselors, and science teachers will determine the pool of eligible and interested juniors for the next school year’s participants.
  • Applications from eligible and interested juniors are due

MARCH

  • A virtual tour of the facilities at LSU Health Shreveport and Biomedical Research Institute will provide the applicants the opportunity to meet and observe members of the research staff.
  • Virtual Interviews with LSU Health Shreveport, Office of Research Coordinator, Hicks SMART Program Coordinator, Supervisors in local school systems, and BRF representative will be conducted.
  • Hicks SMART Program students will be notified of their selection.

APRIL

  • Virtual Interviews between mentor researchers and selected participants
  • Match due from mentors and participants
  • Match notification

JUNE - JULY

  • Participants attend orientation sessions and officially begin their work in their assigned laboratories. Participants will be monetarily compensated for their work during the seven weeks of summer.

AUGUST - MAY

  • Participants will return to the laboratory setting and will earn one Carnegie unit of credit for an enriched science elective at the end of each 18 weeks upon satisfactory completion of all course work.

*Bossier Parish School System is the original author of this program. Bossier students began participating in this coursework in 1997. Caddo students began participation in this program in 1998. Loyola College Prep students began participation in this program in 2008. North DeSoto students began participation in this program in 2011

SELECTION CRITERIA

Each applicant for the Hicks SMART Program should meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Be a candidate for high school graduation May 2027.
  2. Has completed biology, chemistry, and physics and/or completed or be enrolled in second year AP courses of the aforementioned sciences.
  3. Has attained an ACT score of 28 or higher (composite or science area).
  4. Has earned grades of A or B on all high school science coursework.
  5. Maintained exemplary attendance and behavior as verified by school officials.
  6. Demonstrated career interest in research, medicine, or biomedical engineering.
  7. Will be expected to work in the assigned research laboratory full-time (40 h/wk) from June to July. The faculty mentor and Hicks SMART Program Coordinator must approve absences in advance.
  8. Must provide own transportation during the 7-week summer period and from high school to LSU Health Shreveport and home on Monday through Friday of the academic year.

TIMELINE

January 31, 2026 - Applications available

February 28, 2026 - Completed application due no later than 4:00PM

March 19, 2026 - Mandatory Virtual Tour of some participating laboratories at LSU Health Shreveport, 4-5:30PM

March 20, 2026 - Virtual Interview of all applicants, 9:00AM-2:00PM (assigned interview times will be made)

March 21, 2026 - all applicants notified of acceptance status

APPLICATION: Electronically-submitted (saved as ONE PDF) must include the following items.

❏    completed cover sheet

❏    completed and signed parental consent form

❏    small headshot photo of applicant

❏    applicant essays

❏    a copy of applicant’s transcript

❏    a copy of applicant’s ACT scores (if printed on transcript, then disregard)

❏    two letters of recommendation from among the following:

❏    your high school principal or assistant principal
❏    your high school counselor
❏    one or two of your high school science teachers

❏    Must address the following (Show this list to recommender):

❏    candidate for high school graduation May 2027
❏    completed biology, chemistry, and physics and/or completed or be enrolled in second year AP courses of the aforementioned sciences
❏    attained an ACT score of 28 or higher (composite or science area)
❏    earned grades of A or B on all high school science coursework
❏    maintained exemplary attendance and behavior as verified by school officials
❏    demonstrated career interest in research, medicine, or biomedical engineering

The fillable parts of this document must be completed, and original letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and ACT scores must be scanned, added to the file as a single pdf, and E-mailed to krisclements@gmail.com.

Due:  February 28, 2026 By 4:00PM

Complete the Application