CEE Celebrates Closing Ceremonies at RSI Tsinghua

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Research Science Initiative (RSI) in China Closes Out a Successful 2016 Session

Forty high school scholars celebrate closing ceremonies of 6-week STEM studies program

McLean, Va. – August 25, 2016 – The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), in partnership with Tsinghua University in Beijing, concluded its 6-week Research Science Initiative (RSI), July 10-August 20, for top-achieving Chinese high school students in math and science. It is China’s first high school research program collaboration with a U.S. non-governmental organization (NGO).

RSI Tsinghua, which began in 2015, is an extension of the (CEE’s) original RSI which began in 1984, and is directly modeled after the selective program currently held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) each summer.

Students gathered for one week of on-campus course work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and four weeks of cutting-edge individualized college-level STEM research projects with leading professors from Tsinghua University. It provides students with the opportunity to conduct original, cutting edge research in state-of-the-art university laboratories.

In the final week, students demonstrate their work through written academic papers and present oral findings to their peers and a panel of judges, of which the top five written and oral presentations are selected for the prestigious commendations.

Students attend college-level classes taught by distinguished professors from Tsinghua University and visiting U.S. professors from leading institutions including alumni of RSI at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Dr. John Dell, Senior Teacher of Advanced Physics courses at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Va., was the Director of RSI Tsinghua 2016 with Dr. Yi Zhang, Head for Institute of Systems Engineering and Director for Joint Lab of Intelligent Transportation Systems at Tsinghua University.

“CEE is honored to collaborate and continue the Initiative for young Chinese scholars,” stated Joann DiGennaro, CEE’s President. “It is a program we hope to continue for years to come!”

The RSI Selection Committee, comprised of professional educators and RSI alumni, convene each spring and make their RSI Tsinghua selections based on the following criteria: high school records, personal essays, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, research experience, potential for leadership, and honors and awards in math and science.

CEE has partnered with more than 53 countries with collaborative agreements negotiated by Joann DiGennaro, CEE’s President. The Center was the first U.S. organization to receive high school students from: People’s Republic of China, India, and the Balkan and Baltic nations. In addition to China, RSI programs are in Bulgaria, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
 

About the Center for Excellence in Education
The Center for Excellence in Education was founded in 1983 by the late Admiral H.G. Rickover, Father of the Nuclear Navy and civilian uses of nuclear power, and Joann P. DiGennaro, President of the Center. The Center's mission is to nurture high school and university scholars to careers of excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and to encourage collaboration between and among leaders in the global community. CEE sponsors the Research Science Institute (RSI), the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO), and the Teacher Enrichment Program (TEP). For more information about the Center and its programs, visit CEE’s Web site, www.cee.org

Sources:  Sherry Perez, Director of Strategic Communications & Partnerships, 703-448-9062 ext. 229


Related website:
Center for Excellence in Education: http://www.cee.org/
Research Science Institute: http://www.cee.org/research-science-institute

Teacher Enrichment Program: http://www.cee.org/teacher-enrichment-program
USA Biology Olympiad: http://www.cee.org/usa-biology-olympiad-usabo
Tsinghua University: http://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/publish/newthuen/