BEVERLY — Endicott students may soon be borrowing state-of-the-art equipment from the new science center at Gordon College. Gordon students might be using the marine research facility at Salem State. And speakers at Salem State could lecture at Endicott.
"Any chance we get to collaborate with other colleges on the North Shore is a fantastic opportunity," said Gordon conservation biology professor Greg Keller. "And we haven't really done that too much in the sciences."
The three colleges just teamed up to start a North Shore chapter of Sigma Xi, a prestigious science honor society that will help the schools share research and resources.
So far, there are about 20 members, mostly faculty, and growing. Full members of the society have to show a demonstrated ability to do independent research, which usually means at least two published works. Then they can nominate others, including students, to be associate members.
No students have been invited to join yet, but the colleges are planning an induction ceremony in May.
"We're pretty much saying to those students that we believe you have what it takes," said Salem State geology professor Brad Hubeny.
They're also planning a research conference in February where anyone in the community, member or not, can show off their work. Getting everyone in one room is designed to create more connections between the three schools.
"Most of us didn't even know who was who in the other schools, never mind what they teach," said Endicott environmental science professor and chapter president Anne-Marie Scholar, who spearheaded the idea. "This is going to give us an opportunity to get together."
Professors hope it will help get students involved in more classes, help them focus their fields of study and make them more marketable in their future.
"There's a lot of buzz around it on campus," Hubeny said. "This will be very big for them as they go into the work force and grad school. It gives them a leg up."
The North Shore chapter is open to all locals, not just those from the three colleges. With more than 6,000 members in more than 100 countries, other New England Sigma Xi chapters include Harvard, Yale, MIT, Dartmouth, Tufts and Boston University.
"In the science field, it's very well-known," Scholar said. "It's prestigious for the colleges."
She became a member 25 years ago, when she was nominated as a senior at Smith College. About two years ago, she decided she wanted to start a chapter with Endicott in mind.
"Once we got the biotech major, I started thinking about it," she said. "For me, that was the trigger."
The idea of working together across the board is what research is all about.
"Especially in today's economy, resources are not abundant," Hubeny said. "And to do scientific research nowadays is very difficult to do in a bubble by yourself. We're very excited about all the ideas."
Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salemnews.com.
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