My Testimony: The Ingenuity Project

By Megan Reid

Click here for another testimony by senior Christopher Harris.

My name is Megan Reid. I am a senior at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, and I have a true testimony about the Ingenuity Project. A quality education is literally what one receives in this program. Ingenuity’s focus on hardcore math and science creates an invaluable foundation for college success. Although the heavy workload is not something I favor, I know I’m prepared to take on the rigorous college courses I'll need to become a chemical engineer. The hours of homework from second-level calculus and Advanced Placement (AP) chemistry give me exposure and practice for the demands of college.

Because of Ingenuity, I was able to research lipid (fat) metabolism at the Carnegie Institution under Drs. Steven Farber and James Walters. Gaining research experience as an undergraduate is important in most fields; as a high student, I already have an advantage over most undergraduate students because I’ve completed two years of research in high school. Ingenuity has provided the networks and resources to do so.

When students need help filling out research competition forms and editing college essays, the Ingenuity faculty always helps. Ingenuity students receive notifications about upcoming community service, scholarships and employment opportunities. In short, the Ingenuity Project has made my high school journey pleasant. Through it, I even received a free Macintosh laptop from a donor who contacted Mrs. Costello, our program director, and asked if anyone needed one. Mrs. Costello—aware of my extensive use of the school computer labs—contacted me immediately.

I’m so glad they thought of me. I use the laptop to complete many research and homework assignments.

The Ingenuity staff will never forget me because of how much I called on them for help. And I will never forget the Ingenuity Project because of the support it’s given me and my future.