The majority of our work involves writing scientific research papers and can be done remotely throughout the year. When we operate the summer lab, our institute follows CDC and NYS Department of Health guidelines. We require masks and social distancing in the workplace. We have also hired a dedicated COVID-19 compliance officer with experience working on the disease. If you have further questions, please contact bonnie.a.b.blackwell@williams.edu.

We encourage all interested undergraduate and graduate students with excellent math/science records and strong work ethics to apply. The 2018 application deadline is Saturday, April 28, 2018. Acceptance is also contingent upon a successful interview with program staff. After screening applications, we will email selected students to come in for interviews in late January or February. Students must complete a successful interview by our staff to be accepted into the Institute. Students can only be accepted to this program after receipt of a formal application and a successful interview. For more information or questions, please call our office at 516-759-6092 or email us.

Research with the Institute involves performing ESR dating or geochemical analyses, to determine ages for fossils and rocks or to develop new ESR dating or geochemical analytical techniques. Students work in a small team that includes three scientists, several technicians, and 6-10 other undergraduate students to perform all the lab work associated with sample preparation that they can safely perform, and all the data analysis. They will run the ESR spectrometer and other research instruments. Many students who have completed research with us go on to publish in scientific journals and submit posters and abstracts to scientific conferences.

Please note that preparing such science contest entries, presentations, and publications involves 200-500 hours of work during the school year on weekends. Students may need to have full Saturdays or Sundays available during the school year. Schools must assist with library, computer, and internet access. Formal training will begin during the February and April school breaks. Expect to be working approximately: 6-7 weeks during the summer Two weeks during the spring holiday breaks Students who cannot attend training weeks will not be accepted. Please note that the student's home college or university must sign to say they will cooperate with our staff to ensure that eligible students can obtain the necessary paperwork and permissions to submit to the applicable science fairs, conferences, and journals.

Virtually none: Student must pay for food and transportation only. Travel to our Long Island lab in the school year is not covered. If students which to attend professional conferences to present their work, they will be asked to cover those expenses.

We work with local universities to provide internships to undergraduate students. These may be expanded to become undergraduate research theses with the approval of the students' home university. If you are interested, please email us at bonnie.a.b.blackwell@williams.edu or arrange to visit our labs.

Yes. We have several interesting graduate theses projects available. Your home graduate institution must agree for the collaboration. Please contact us for details at bonnie.a.b.blackwell@williams.edu.