We know that you’re smart. At GFS, we help you become WISE.

"I always wanted to work in a real lab, and WISE is one of the reasons why I came to Garrison Forest. The depth of research is exactly what I expected…What I found most amazing is the friendly and positive atmosphere of Johns Hopkins’ labs.”
-Mia ’16, who studied neurogenesis and optogeneitcs at the Institute for Cell Engineering: Neurogeneration Program at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

What is GFS WISE?

The GFS Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program, established in 2005 as a groundbreaking partnership between Garrison Forest and Johns Hopkins University, places talented capable and curious GFS students in Hopkins JHU labs and research settings two afternoons a week for about 15 weeks of a semester. GFS WISE students are carefully matched with a Hopkins mentor (professor or graduate student) for a semester and participate fully in the research focus of a Hopkins lab. explore research interests and learn about the research process at GFS before being matched with JHU faculty hosts throughout University schools, divisions, centers, and departments. Working under the guidance of primary mentors – graduate students, post doctoral fellows, and other research team members – the students gain a first-hand experience in world-class research, build skills they can bring to their university studies, gain insights for use their college process, and cultivate habits of mind of lasting value. They receive a one-semester academic credit at GFS for their program participation.

Over the past 20 years, close to 350 GFS students have participated in WISE since its inception in 2005, with over have benefited from the support of over 150 125 JHU faculty and their research teams. They leave their GFS WISE experience with an appreciation for the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of research and with new confidence that they can contribute.

2022-23 WISE students at their final poster session.

WHO PARTICIPATES?

WISE RESEARCH PROJECTS

GFS WISE projects range across disciplines from JHU’s Whiting School of Engineering, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the School of Medicine. Students have tackled WISE projects ranging from biology and biomedical engineering, chemistry and cognitive science, anthropology and art history, neuroscience and nutrition, fluid mechanics and food deserts, and education and electrical engineering to name just a few. Many WISE projects are cross-disciplinary, cross-departmental, and even multi-School in design, providing WISE students with a valuable window into the breadth and focus of STEM study and the collaborative nature of STEM research.

In addition to in-depth time in a Hopkins lab and working one-on-one with graduate-level researchers, WISE students are included in lectures, seminars, departmental meetings and other activities designed to expose them to a range of science and engineering disciplines. STEM-related events at Hopkins and field trips to such regional resources as the National Institutes of Health, Goddard Space Flight Center, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and the Central Intelligence Agency raise students' awareness of the range of science careers available to them.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

The most important lesson you will learn through GFS WISE is what you learn about yourself, which will be invaluable to you in college and beyond. In addition, through observing and participating in how a scientist/engineer in a specific discipline identifies and approaches a particular research question, you will:

Learn how to apply the scientific method
Learn how to create new knowledge
Develop problem solving and critical thinking skills for college and life
Explore a specific area of inquiry and a broad array of disciplines in a major research university
Gain in-depth exposure to a research question in one discipline
Learn about how a research lab works
Experience the interdisciplinary nature of learning—how subject areas mingle, overlap, build and rely upon each other, change and evolve—and how they can fit with a variety of educational and career objectives
Learn about the spectrum of science/engineering disciplines at JHU specifically
Establish a work relationship with a world-class scientist/engineer/researcher and her/his team
Learn how to be a contributing member of a research team
Explore the intellectually and internally demanding skills that science research requires—including how curiosity can be channeled into a disciplined, methodical, approach to uncovering knowledge—skills that are of use in endeavors beyond science
Build a sense of ease and competence in a research university setting, including learning the campus; sitting in on classes, seminars, lectures, and departmental meetings; interacting with undergraduate and graduate students and professors; and taking the first steps towards being participating citizens of the university
Learn to manage some of the intellectual, interpersonal, and internal challenges the experience presents that stretch a high school student's “comfort zone”

WISE MENTORS

Since 2005, 150 faculty and graduate student scientists and engineers have served as GFS WISE mentors from Johns Hopkins’ Whiting School of Engineering, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and Bloomberg School of Public Health. Participating departments include:

Applied Mathematics and Statistics department
Biology department
Biomedical Engineering department
Biophysics department
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department
Chemistry department
Cognitive Science department
Earth and Planatary Sciences department
Electrical and Computer Engineering department
Geography and Environmental Engineering department
Health, Behavior and Society department
International Health department
Materials Science and Engineering department
Mechanical Engineering department
Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences department
Physics and Astronomy department
Physiology and Brain Sciences department

WISE students are mentored by dedicated faculty, both at JHU and GFS, and with a peer cohort. Research shows that women are more likely to succeed in STEAM disciplines if they have direct mentoring experiences. Students establish a work relationship with their mentor and learn how to be a contributing member of a lab. They are able to share their experience with fellow WISE students.

WISE mentors and other JHU advocates advise students on planning a future in science, engineering, public health and other science-related fields. WISE students have access to faculty, graduate and undergraduate students who provide insights into the rewards, challenges, and opportunities for women in STEM in general and at JHU specifically.

Mentor/student pairing is based in part on the student’s interest in the mentor’s discipline and research and the student’s preparedness. Guarantees regarding interest matches are not possible, however. Students should not participate in WISE if they are not willing to accept any placement assignment that program administrators deem appropriate based on student preparation and project availability.

JHU mentors provide instruction on laboratory safety, protocols, equipment use and other elements related to their particular research.

WISE REQUIREMENTS, TIMELINE AND APPLICATION

GFS WISE students participate in a customized junior or senior-year curriculum at Garrison Forest and spend two afternoons a week on the Johns Hopkins campus in hands-on research, science immersion experiences, and mentoring activities.

Each WISE student has a GFS advisor and a faculty member who works closely with the student to ensure that all needs and requirements are met for the GFS curriculum. At GFS, students participate in class time and out-of-class sessions that support their WISE experience.

WISE is challenging but can be a transforming experience. Through working with faculty and graduate student mentors in a lab or other research setting, being part of an effort that has a purpose beyond her own education, the WISE student has a chance to learn about how science works, about intellectual persistence, about learning from failure and from success, and about herself, in ways that are distinctive and valuable.

Get detailed information about WISE Requirements and deadlines here.

WISE and BOARDING at GFS

GFS WISE participants may opt to live on campus in GFS residence halls for the one-semester WISE program, contingent upon space availability. Those students boarding for WISE will enjoy a living-learning community at GFS that enhances their science experience and provides them with 24/7 faculty support and the distinctive educational experience of being a boarding student.

Options for living on campus during WISE are available for day students with an interest. Information is available from Ms. Perry.

Learn about boarding at GFS.

Why GFS WISE?

GFS WISE supports our young women in pursuing study and careers in STEAM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, art/design and math), including many fields of critical importance to our national strength and to human well-being. The GFS WISE program seeks to expand overall STEAM literacy and an appreciation for cross-disciplinary connections as students consider their next educational steps. In GFS WISE, the process of discovery is more important than a particular research topic, and the take-away learning is relevant to whatever a student does next.

Interested?

Contact Andrea Perry
Director of The James Center
andreaperry@gfs.org