SAA Summer Intern/Apprentice Program is a summer eight-week program that provides paid or volunteer internship opportunities for both laboratory and field projects at SHRS. Examples of projects offered previously include:

1) collection of data on tropical fruit (e.g., mango, banana) such as measurement of fruit size, color, shape, and brix, using instruments such as colorimeter and brix meter; 2) trapping studies with protein-based baits and lures to test attraction of pest fruit flies that attack guava and loquat; 3) analyzing materials for their potential use as a potting substrate and monitoring developmental characteristics of plants grown in different potting materials; 4) measuring water use efficiency of different greenhouse water management systems.

USDA Junior Agricultural Ambassador Program includes a summer seven-week research project at SHRS and a one-week workshop in Washington, D.C. for high school students.  Students have the opportunity for a paid internship under the guidance of an SHRS scientist and they visit Washington, D.C. to learn more about what each agency of USDA does and how they contribute to the advancement of the mission of the department. During the academic year, the students increase awareness regarding the different agencies of the USDA, and participate in promotion and recruitment efforts for the following year’s Ag Ambassador Program.

Miami Dade College Service Learning Program

Educational partnership since 2005 whereby SHRS provides students real-life laboratory experience coupled with the classroom theory.  Students volunteer for at least 15 contact hours at SHRS, usually as consecutive weekly 3-4 hour time blocks.  Involvement by students aids in facilitating ongoing research activities by their participation in short-term research projects.