51吃瓜 offers five research institutes that offer students extraordinary opportunities for hands-on learning in different disciplines. Each institute includes a two-week summer residential program and additional coursework during the academic year. Students must complete a thorough application process, and candidacy is reviewed by a selection committee. Each institute is limited to 10-12 students.
Heely Scholars in Archival and Historical Research
Heely Scholars in Archival and Historical Research is intended for rising seniors who have demonstrated a keen interest and ability in their study of American history. The program includes a two-week summer session and an Advanced Research Seminar in the fall.
Heely Scholars in Archival and Historical Research are introduced to primary research from collections in the School’s Stephan Archives and through excursions to other research institutions. Through the course of their investigation, Scholars:
- Develop a culminating senior thesis in the fall as part of the Advanced Research Seminar
- Present a group project during the academic year on a topic of relevance to the Fourth Form history curriculum
- Enhance community awareness and use of Stephan Archives through digitized exhibits, documentary films, podcasts, and Master Classes for parents
- Craft instructional tools and curriculum that may be adopted by future visitors to the Stephan Archives
Leopold Scholars in Ecology and Ethics
Leopold Scholars in Ecology and Ethics recognizes rising III - V formers who are committed to sustainability, environmental ethics, service, and leadership during their Lawrenceville experience and beyond. The program immerses students in the writings and legacy of Lawrenceville alumnus Aldo Leopold, Class of 1905. In his landmark book A Sand County Almanac, Leopold writes about a Land Ethic that expands the boundaries of the community beyond humans to include soils, waters, plants, and animals.
Building on the concept of a Land Ethic, the program includes a two-week summer session, presenting at the Fall Academic Showcase, and playing a leadership role on the School's Sustainability Council to raise community awareness of waste reduction, habitat restoration, carbon emissions, environmental justice, and more.
Throughout the program, Scholars:
- Study water quality and water justice by researching area rivers, including the Shipetaukin Creek that flows through Lawrenceville's campus and connects with the Delaware River Watershed;
- partner with staff from the nearby water quality research organizations; and
- visit area farms to learn about sustainable agriculture, the connection between land and water health, and cooking with locally-grown produce.
Merrill Scholars in Literary Research and Creative Writing
Merrill Scholars in Literary Research and Creative Writing offers rising seniors the opportunity to learn and practice the habits of thought and executive skills required to do advanced research in textual interpretation. Merrill Scholars will have evinced their dedication and scholarship by their work in English classes, world languages, philosophy and religion, and/or student publications. They take advantage of primary documents related to their chosen area of research that are available in local archives, including manuscripts and rare book collections.
The Merrill Scholar program gives Lawrentians the chance to see what true literary research and criticism looks like. First, students are required to engage both critically and creatively with their topics and to stretch themselves in new directions, in order to open their eyes to new possibilities. By reading a wealth of texts, applying critical theories, discovering historical and biographical influences, and collaborating with their peers the scholars then become experts in their fields. Finally, Merrill Scholars strive to gain a thorough understanding of what other scholars have said about a topic, and then, through deep research and collaboration, discover how to join that conversation.
The program includes a two-week summer session and additional coursework in the fall.
As part of the program, Scholars:
- Begin by casting a wide net into their interests and then, step by step, whittle down their research into a thesis that contributes to their respective scholarly sub-fields
- Develop a 20-25 page research paper or joint creative and critical project
- Take field trips to New York City and Princeton, working with librarians and archivists
- Conduct readings of creative work in summer and fall, with poster sessions and display of final essays in November
Hutchins Scholars in Science Research
Hutchins Scholars in Science Research provides Lawrenceville's most outstanding science students with substantive research experiences and helps prepare them for leading university science programs, as well as inspires pursuit of science-related careers. Scholars explore not only what we know in science, but also how knowledge is generated in the discipline. The program includes a two-week summer session in year one and a six-week summer internship in year two, as well as additional coursework in a Scholar's junior year.
As part of the program, Scholars:
- Participate in authentic scientific research on-campus in year one and off-campus in year two, gaining placement in well-respected lab settings across the United States
- Work with Lawrenceville science teachers in the field and in the lab to learn more about conducting research in science
- Complete an internship at a university, hospital, industry, or non-profit organization in collaboration with outside scientists, allowing Scholars to deepen their understanding of scientific research based on practical real-world experience
There are four placement options for Scholars, including:
- Hutchins Scholars: Six-week internship at a professional or university lab
- Hutchins Stanford Scholars: One-week trip to Stanford School of Medicine, followed by a five week internship with Lawrenceville faculty member Dr. Elizabeth Fox. The internship is run in conjunction with the Seung Kim Lab at the Stanford School of Medicine, which specializes in research in the field of molecular genetics surrounding diseases of the pancreas
- Hutchins Jefferson Scholars: Seven week internship at one of several world-renowned labs at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Hutchins Scholars in Social Justice
The Hutchins Scholars in Social Justice program offers rising Fifth Formers an opportunity to immerse themselves in the multi-disciplinary examination of social justice as a subject of study, as a method of inquiry, and as a set of ethical practices for community engagement. It includes a two-week summer residential program and a fall interdisciplinary course, "Social Justice Scholars Seminar." A key feature of the program is the emphasis on storytelling and story-listening as a part of social change.
Throughout the year, Hutchins Scholars in Social Justice also have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning activities organized by the Hutchins Institute. Scholars are invited to demonstrate their leadership and service during the school year by facilitating workshops and breakout sessions that are part of the School's community days.
As part of the program, Scholars:
- explore and critically engage discourses around justice, social change, and narrative design;
- explore the narratives found in historic sites, including landmarks, monuments, and museums; memorial events such as civic holidays and commemorations; and popular culture, including music, television, and film; and
- are introduced to the tools of interactive, experiential, multimedia, and digital storytelling, and develop narrative-based social impact projects.