The Elisabeth Petschek de Picciotto ’50 Vassar Science Scholars Program

VSSP students pose with their participation certificates.

The Vassar Science Scholars Program (VSSP) brings a group of eighteen Poughkeepsie High School students (divided among sophomores, juniors, and seniors) to Vassar College eight Saturdays during the academic year for intensive hands-on laboratory sessions conducted by members of Vassar's science and mathematics faculty. The VSSP was founded by Charles Steinhorn, Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, in 2000. After Professor Steinhorn retired in 2021, Adam Lowrance, Associate Professor of Mathematics, was appointed as the program director. The VSSP is funded by a generous gift by the late Vassar alumna, Elisabeth Petschek de Picciotto, Class of 1950.

Incoming VSSP students with Elisabeth Petschek de Picciotto ’50, who endowed the program.

Students can continue in the program throughout their high school career provided they attend the sessions faithfully. The program includes a Poughkeepsie High School science or mathematics teacher who coordinates the program at the high school, and in particular oversees the selection of new students. There also is a Vassar student intern who assists the faculty leading the Saturday sessions. The program concludes with a dinner at the end of each academic year to which the students' families, school and district officials, Vassar administrators, and local government officials are invited to attend.