For a number of high school students, finding a summer job this year has been particularly challenging. But the 57 rising seniors at the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) and select non-GSSM students from other public, private or home school settings have donned white coats and spent six weeks working alongside professional scientists in research and development labs across South Carolina.

The Summer Program for Research Interns (SPRI) -- a graduation requirement for GSSM's rising seniors -- is a unique, hands-on educational opportunity and capstone experience.

Nearly 70 students spent six weeks in corporate research and development labs, research universities and hospital cancer centers across the state under the direct supervision of established scientists.

During the internship, which ran through July 16, students conducted college graduate level research in fields in which they have a specific interest such as cancer research, biomedical experiments or computer science.

"Our students have the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of what science is and how important scientific discovery is to our state and its economy," said Randy La Cross, GSSM vice president of outreach and research.

Beginning in 2009, the SPRI experience went international with the Research Exchange Scholars Program: A Roche Initiative, sending three students to Germany to conduct research at the world-renowned German Cancer Institute in Heidelberg. In August, GSSM will host three students from Germany's Johanna Wittum Schule, a high school specializing in biotechnology education.

The students will work as research interns alongside established professors at the University of South Carolina whose projects cover a broad spectrum of topics in cell and molecular biology.

With research partnerships that include Clemson University, The Medical University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina, the average cost for SPRI per student is $3,000 with most students residing in university housing. Since SPRI's inception in 1991, more than 1,500 students from South Carolina have participated.

SPRI wouldn't be possible without the generous support of Dr. Suzan Boyd and Mr. M. Edward Sellers; Capsugel; Dargan Construction; D. L. Scurry Foundation; The W.C. English Foundation; Fluor Corporation; Force Protection, Inc.; Fujikura Foundation; The Graham Foundation; Greenville Hospital System; Dr. Perry V. Halushka; The InterTech Group Foundation, Inc.; The Jolley Foundation; MeadWestvaco; Milliken Foundation; Mr. Harry J. Moran; Nucor Steel; OMNOVA Solutions; Post and Courier Foundation; Rotary Club of Five Points; ScanSource Charitable Foundation; John I. Smith Charities, Inc.; Springs Close Foundation, Inc.; State Farm Companies Foundation; Troan Foundation, Inc.; Tyco Electronics Foundation