High School Students From Across New Mexico Attend Joint Science And Technology Institute – Los Alamos Daily Post

ALBUQUERQUE — Lexi Alcala and Thilo Roelofs of Los Alamos, were two of 31 high school students attending the Joint Science and Technology Institute, an educational opportunity to expand their knowledge and experience in science, technology, engineering and math.

Alcala, daughter of Lisa and Jermain Bracy, and Roelofs, son of Nina and Andreas Roelofs, are students at The Academy for Technology and the Classics in Los Alamos.

Alcala and Roelofs collaborated with mentors and conducted research activities on the University of New Mexico campus. Projects included rocketry, microbiology, protein synthesis and hazardous materials handling.

The educational activity, held June 9-21, was a fully funded research opportunity for high school students from across New Mexico. JSTI was sponsored by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and managed by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. The programs helped students gain confidence in their own abilities, provided an awareness of career options and encouraged pursuit of STEM careers.