Scientific Enrichment Month

The Scientific Enrichment Month (SEM) Program, brought to you by YES in THE HEIGHTS at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC), is a free virtual program for high school students held in the summer (undergraduates and middle schoolers welcome if interested). This month-long program takes place in July and focuses on cancer education, scientific enrichment, and professional development.  

Students who participate listen and engage in a variety of lectures on topics like how to develop a hypothesis, what is cancer research, cancer health inequities, and public health. Students also join sessions on professional development with topics like resume writing, personal statements, interviewing skills, and public speaking. 

In addition, students can join public health working groups focused on peer-to-peer education for community service hours. Working groups culminate in student presentations which are open to the student’s families and their community. Examples of past public health working groups include:

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination (led by past SEM participants)
  • Skin cancer prevention (led by Community Outreach Engagement Office)
  • Tobacco use prevention (led by Community Outreach Engagament Office)
  • Nutrition and physical activity (led by Community Outreach Engagement Office)
  • Cancer genetics and genetic counseling (led by Huntsman Cancer Institute)

Lastly, those who participate in a specified number of sessions across the month have the opportunity of being granted an HICCC Certificate.

Past Topics

A sample of the sessions held in past Scientific Enrichment Month programming includes:  

  • An introduction to cancer research, including panel discussions with professionals in the field 
  • Cancer health equity and environmental equity in your community 
  • Cancer prevention and risk reduction through behavior changes 
  • Insights from researchers in the field of oncology 
  • Professional development such as lectures on how to write a personal statement and how to submit a strong college application (parents invited) 
  • Hands-on, student-led activities 

Program Information

Program Dates: July 1 to July 31, 2025 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 PM (EST)

Location: Online through Zoom. All students who enroll will receive the Zoom link direct to the email listed on the registration form. 

How to Register

Registration Opens:  March 1st, 2025

Registration Closes: June 23rd, 2025 or when the program hits capacity (whichever comes first)

Register here

This is not an application. It is a registration. Once you submit a complete form, you are accepted into the program and will automatically receive further information closer to the date!

Contact

Scientific Enrichment Month Team

Email: canceredu@cumc.columbia.edu