Login

Become an Ambassador

Project Feed 1010 Ambassador Program: ISB Science

 

 

Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) offers internships for upcoming juniors and seniors who are interested in food sustainability and food security through ISB’s Project Feed 1010 (PF1010).

 

Developed to diversify and strengthen the environmental research field, as well as provide skills training and authentic research experiences for students, the ambassador program empowers students to solve a complex, real-world problem: food insecurity. Since 2016, this year-long program has cultivated and supported 4 cohorts, 25 schools, and 55 total high school students from the Puget Sound region in Washington state, as they become leaders in Environmental Education (EE). Through this opportunity, students were trained during the summer through hands-on, real-world experiences at ISB to tackle the global food security crisis and then supported as they developed and implemented a plan to integrate their newfound knowledge into their schools and community centers. To date, this program has provided ~200 hours of interdisciplinary EE focusing on sustainable agriculture, food security, aquaponics, systems biology and career exploration.

 

Job opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields are rapidly expanding! Gaining real-world experience in systems biology and sustainable agriculture expands character skills essential for effective personal and professional communication as well as problem-solving skills crucial to innovation and discovery in the future.

 

Students applying for this program should be excited to be an ambassador and enact positive change in their communities, be a curious and responsible self-starter, and be interested in maintaining a collaborative relationship with the PF1010 team beyond the summer internship. Applications will be accepted from current sophomore and junior high school and preference will be given to students who would be willing to work with an applicant from the same school throughout the following school year as they implement PF1010 into their communities. Our last ISB-hosted PF1010 cohort was the 2019 cohort. We are currently in the process of moving our PF1010 Ambassador resources to an online platform for greater accessibility.

 

 

What did past PF1010 ambassadors have to say?

 

  • “It was a collaborative experience that taught me a lot and gave me tools to revolutionize my community."

    Anonymous Ambassador Feedback

  • “PF1010 definitely made me more aware of the issue of food security around the world. The project made me really glad to have chosen a globally-focused major, and made me want to focus more on the environment in relation to health when it comes to a potential career.”

    2017 PF1010 Ambassador: Alex Haworth

  • “After Project Feed 1010, I had the opportunity to work in a lab at the VA Hospital in Seattle doing Alzheimer’s research on C.elegan models. While at the lab, I was able to present my research to other members of the lab. Thanks to the scientific posters that we made for the showcase, I felt confident in my abilities to present and explain my research in front of seasoned researchers. Project Feed 1010 gave me the essential skills I needed to be an effective scientist in both a lab and in my community.”

    2017 PF1010 Ambassador: Grace Scuderi

  • “Project Feed 1010 gave me exposure to interdisciplinary research. Since the program, I have gone on to intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, combining my computer science skill set with atmospheric spectroscopy and interdisciplinary planetary science research.”

    2016 PF1010 Ambassador: Laura Hu

  • “After Project Feed 1010, I connected with other students at my school to set up a functioning aquaponics system in the greenhouse, where we successfully grew several bean varieties. My experiences troubleshooting the aquaponics systems over the summer and the following school year helped me become more confident with my own engineering skills and strengthened my ability to take initiative to solve problems. In addition, the skills I gained working in the lab to process samples prepared me for working in a lab the next summer, where I immediately recognized some of the procedures and techniques; I had already passed the learning curve, and had a strong foundation to grow from.”

    2017 PF1010 Ambassador: Maddy Scott

Experiences

    • Network with and work alongside scientists in a state-of-the-art research institute
    • Get trained in solving complex problems, such as food insecurity, using a systems approach
    • Design and engineer an aquaponic system in an urban community garden space
    • Learn from experts in urban farming and scientific research
    • Design and conduct experiments related to sustainable food production
    • Communicate your research findings to ISB scientists and community members through scientific posters and presentations
    • Develop a plan to integrate PF1010 into your school and/or community center
    • Create resources for others to use, accessible through your PF1010 website profile (http://www.projectfeed1010.com/ambassador-profiles/)
    • Get PF1010-certified in sustainable agriculture through a 33-hour short-course

 

Schedule

    • Training at ISB over the summer (work with scientists, educators, students, and farmers both in a research lab and in the community)
    • Collaborate with PF1010 during the school year as you integrate the program into your community
    • Celebrate your success at the end of the school year by presenting at ISB’s annual Ambassador Showcase for your family, friends, and the community

 

Resources

1. Take a moment to learn from our past ambassadors on our ambassador’s profile pages.
2. Check out how becoming an ambassador unlocked other opportunities for Gabby Alonso here.
3. Check out Linnea and Ivan documented their 2016 intern and ambassador experience here.