The REAP experience allows students to find the answers to the questions they themselves pose about a topic. They develop their English language and presentation skills as they articulate the problems they have devised and through their efforts to solve them, they learn to learn on their own. Throughout the summer, students mature both intellectually and emotionally, develop friendships and foster a good sense of collegiate life. Self discovery of personal strengths and weaknesses and the setting of educational and professional goals contribute to personal development. They also have access to a college professor for mentoring and guidance through their high school years, and perhaps most importantly, college student mentors.
Many students contribute specifically to the ongoing research of the laboratory project.
He developed a research technique which allowed identification to a sub specific level, in other varieties of corn. In order to publish this research he needed to have someone duplicate his results. His apprentice Alison Boutin did just that and more. Remarkably, Alison was then able to take my research one step further, and present the results of her own work at the same conference.