T he pandemic shut down lab experiments and science exploration for students across the nation and at schools like Putnam County High School in Eatonton, Georgia.

For incoming student Morgan Collins, that meant potentially missing a chance at finding his passion in chemistry. Luckily, Georgia College & State University’s Science Education Center came to the rescue.
 
Directed by chemistry Professor Dr. Catrena Lisse, the center offers a program for high school students in local, rural areas to explore university-level research in a sophisticated lab setting.

“I was in the Young Scientists Academy this summer, and that’s what really got me into chemistry,” Collins said. “I hadn’t ever been in a lab experiencing actual chemistry at the college level.”

And he’ll get that chance again—Collins will join the academy again this summer, as he prepares to become a first-year student at Georgia College in the fall.

Q: What are you looking forward to at Georgia College?

A: Continue researching and being able to experience college life, take higher-level classes and further my education.

Q: What is most exciting to you about science?

A: Just anything—being able to research and discover new things, new possibilities and solve problems.

Q: What are you hoping to experience or get involved with on campus?

A: I want to meet new people, discover new things and involve myself in different activities. That means possibly sports, some extracurricular activities, and I’ll do a lot of stuff with the Honors College too.