Junior high and high school students throughout Iowa can now apply for the 2009-2010 Student Grant program to receive laboratory assistance for science projects. The University Hygienic Laboratory sponsors the program. The application deadline is November 30.

Through the Student Grant, the Hygienic Laboratory staff works with students and teachers to complete testing for science projects that have a laboratory component. Previous projects have included testing for pesticides in plant roots, measuring the level of bacteria on doorknobs and testing for pharmaceuticals in water.

"One of the greatest things about this program is that students get to experience being a scientist by researching and creating their own science project, and then managing it through to completion," said Beth Hochstedler, Hygienic Laboratory Training and Outreach Coordinator.

"The University Hygienic Laboratory is an amazing asset to students who have an interest in science research," said Alicia Schiller, a teacher from Central Lee High School in Donnellson whose student was a Student Grant recipient last year. "Their employees helped guide my student while setting up her research project and helped facilitate the data gathering process by running experimental tests that would have been impossible to do here at our school."

Online applications are available in the Education/Training section.