The scientific discovery process comes alive for 70 minority students each year at Uniondale High School in New York where students have won top awards for "in-house" projects. Uniondale High School is in a middle-income school district where over 95% of students are from minority groups. Founded in 2000, the Uniondale High School Research Program has grown to 70 students per year who are engaged in multiyear research projects developed using their own creativity and ingenuity. Students develop projects from an original idea that interests them, design the methodology, implement it, present results in written and oral form at competitions and conferences, and propose and conduct further studies. The Uniondale High School Research Program is successful because of careful "recruitment," "research projects" that are devised by students, and "recognition" by the school, community, and outside entities. Student curiosity in, enthusiasm for, and commitment to the process of scientific discovery is paramount in the selection process. These qualities are a prerequisite for development of novel student-created research projects. All Uniondale students present their environmental science projects at the Dowling College Annual Symposium On the South Shore Estuary. Students benefit directly by winning monetary awards and other prizes at competitions, gaining admission to top colleges, earning college scholarships, and presenting their work at national scientific meetings. They gain confidence in themselves and discover their potential as their work is recognized by professionals. Although the most important key to success is a dedicated teacher (preferably a full-time program advisor), any teacher can replicate this program by guiding students in developing projects that use standard materials and equipment available in the school. (Contains 4 figures.)