It’s not every day that high school students present their research on a global scale and see their names in an international research journal. But thanks to a first-of-its-kind partnership with the University of Maine, students at John Bapst Memorial High School are now published co-authors in the Proceedings of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.
The paper, “Fostering STEM competency in high-school students by bridging engineering and ophthalmology through eye research,” describes how 21 high school students joined researchers from UMaine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and North Carolina State University to explore how blood pressure and intraocular pressure interact in the eye. Working in UMaine’s labs alongside faculty, students built a hydraulics-based model to simulate glaucoma progression, presented their findings at a global vision science conference, which ultimately was published in an international peer-reviewed journal.
“This effort shows how connecting science, technology and people can spark interest in real-world problem solving while building the skills needed for the workforce of tomorrow,” said Giovanna Guidoboni, dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing and principal investigator.
The project brought together high schoolers, UMaine students, and faculty from engineering, mathematics and ophthalmology, along with collaborators nationwide. It also acknowledged UMS TRANSFORMS, the Harold Alfond Foundation’s historic investment in the University of Maine System, underscoring the role of statewide initiatives in elevating Maine’s research and education mission.
For students, the experience was transformative. They spoke of discovering the real-world power of math, forging mentorships with faculty and graduate students, and accessing resources far beyond the high school classroom. Several chose to continue their research at UMaine providing this type of research creates a direct pipeline from high school to higher education.
I think it’s amazing that UMaine has put such an emphasis on giving students at all levels access to this type of experience,” said Kevin Real, lead author on the paper. ”We really are working as a part of a team alongside world-renowned researchers…it’s pretty special.”
At a time when STEM competency among U.S. high school students is in steady decline, this project offers a bold model: one that gives young learners a seat at the research table, connects science and people in meaningful ways, and shows that Maine students can compete and publish on the global stage. This project also reflects how initiatives like UMS TRANSFORMS, the Harold Alfond Foundation’s historic investment in the University of Maine System, are strengthening the state’s competitiveness nationally and internationally.
Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu