Newark, MD, October 20, 2026 – Two Worcester County Public Schools (WCPS) students have been selected to participate in the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Extension 4-H STEM Research Internship Program for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Nidhish Gupta, a junior at Stephen Decatur High School, and Yulia Selikhova, a senior at Snow Hill High School, are among just 13 students from Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties selected through a competitive application process for the program's second year.
The internship offers students a unique opportunity to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through authentic, university-level research experiences alongside UMES faculty.
"Opportunities like this allow our students to take what they've learned in the classroom and apply it in ways that can shape their futures," said WCPS Superintendent Dr. Annette E. Wallace. "We are incredibly proud of Nidhish and Yulia for earning their places in this competitive program. Their selection speaks to their curiosity, dedication, and willingness to challenge themselves, and we are excited to see where this experience takes them."
Throughout the academic year, Gupta and Selikhova will travel to UMES weekly after school, where they will tour research laboratories, engage with university faculty, and explore a variety of scientific disciplines. Working alongside faculty mentors, they will develop original research projects that they will implement during the summer.
The program provides participants with hands-on experience in the research process, from developing questions and designing investigations to conducting experiments and analyzing results. During the summer research phase, students will receive a $3,000 paid internship while working under the supervision of UMES faculty mentors and Extension 4-H educators.
Now in its second year, the internship program was expanded following the success of its inaugural cohort. Research opportunities span a variety of disciplines, including animal science, horticulture, physics, agricultural microbiology, environmental toxicology, and engineering.
"This is exactly the kind of experience we want for our students as they begin to envision the possibilities beyond graduation," Wallace added. "By connecting our students with higher education partners and meaningful, real-world learning opportunities, we are helping them discover their strengths, pursue their interests, and see themselves as the scientists, innovators, and leaders of tomorrow."
The UMES Extension 4-H STEM Research Internship Program is supported by a two-year grant from the National 4-H Council and reflects the importance of partnerships between public schools and higher education institutions in preparing the next generation of STEM professionals.
Photo Courtesy of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore
For more information, please visit UMES' full story by visiting https://www.umes.edu/sans/sans-monthly-digest/november-2026/13-high-schoolers-chosen-for-umes-research-internship/.