After a long day of classes, senior Jordan Disberger musters up his last bit of energy and heads off for work. Upon arrival, he waves hello to a few of his colleagues at the lab and proceeds to his station. Disberger, currently competing to qualify for the Manhattan High Science Olympiad team, is in many ways already a scientist. At work, he helps shape the world of academia.

“It is definitely a valuable experience,” Disberger said. “Basically, I research what mosquitoes are attracted to. It is research to learn more about research.”

Disberger is a volunteer at the United States Department of Agriculture in Manhattan. He and other MHS students have taken part in research and completed projects that will benefit the world of science. Disberger is currently working on a project that will help to create more effective mosquito traps. The process is confidential.

“My favorite part of the job is just being able to learn and be hands on,” Disberger said. “You have to be willing to work, learn, and discover new things.”

Disberger was first introduced to the program by his soccer coach, who appreciated his good character and intelligence. After an official interview, he was deemed worthy of a position.

“If you want to volunteer there, you’ve got to be intelligent and you have to be motivated. You have to really care about what you are doing and you’ve got to strive for more,” Disberger said.

While many employed students in town are busy working behind the grill of a fast food restaurant, Disberger is in a much more unusual position. As a volunteer, he is not paid.  But in the long run, he considers his job to be a much more useful toward achieving his future goals.

“This isn’t like a Burger King job. I want to be a medical engineer, and this position helps me to research medical things,” Disberger said. “I can even get scholarships for this.”