High School Research Programs: Delve Into Your Interests

High school is a time for students to explore their passions. Research is one way to do that. You can choose a topic to explore, conduct research, write about it, and present it to others.

 Research Science Institute (RSI)

Hosted by MIT, this program offers the opportunity for students with a Boston-based researcher on an independent project. It starts with one week of seminars highlighting current research about science, engineering, mathematics, and humanities. Speakers include Nobel Laureates, professors from Harvard University, MIT, and other prestigious institutions. At the end of this high school research program, the student presents their research at a conference. Five papers and presentations are recognized for special commendation during the last week of the programs. 

There is no cost for this program. 

100 high school students from around the world are selected. Only high school juniors (11th grade) are eligible. Transcripts, recommendations, essays, and standardized tests are required.

 Simons Summer Research Program

Summon your motivation and interest in science, math, or engineering and use it at Stony Brook University as you work with distinguished mentors, learn about techniques and tools used in laboratories, experience a research university, and become part of a research team. Participants attend research talks, workshops, tours, and events. There is a poster symposium held, and students are presented with a stipend award at this research program for high schoolers. 

This high school research program is held in the months of July and August.

Current Juniors (11th graders) of high school are eligible. Applicants must be sixteen by the first day of the program. Applicants coming from around the US are matched with Stony Brook faculty mentors. They join a research group and are responsible for a project. They also produce a written research abstract and poster.

Only USA citizens and Permanent Residents may apply.

 SPARK Summer Internship Program (SIP)

SPARK your curiosity by becoming one of the interns for this program. Students connect with industry experts and conduct research. Students apply for 1 to 5 projects with their transcripts and essays in March. The applications are reviewed in April, and then the top five or six applications are sent to the sponsors of those projects. Sponsors choose students and then conduct interviews in May. Decisions come in June, and from mid-June to August, students research, learn, and have fun. 

Project topics vary in this high school research program, but they typically are about engineering, math, and science. This program is full-time and lasts for eight to twelve weeks, which is about thirty to forty hours per week. There is a maximum $500 stipend for participants.

There are no set locations, as each project is conducted by a different organization. 

Only USA citizens and permanent resident students may apply.

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 UC San Diego Academic Connections Research Scholars

If Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Nanotechnology seem interesting to you, then this high school research program may be for you. Twenty-five students work with researchers on one of these topics. This program is offered in a residential or online format.

Rising sophomores (10th grade), juniors (11th grade), and seniors (12th grade) may apply. 

The cost is $4200. 

 QuarkNet Summer Research Program

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in science, technology, and mathematics, work on research projects during this seven-week program in DuPage County, Illinois. Students work with scientists on a research project based on the availability at the lab. 

Salary is $17.20 per hour. 

Housing, meals, or any transportation is not provided. 

Application includes letter of recommendation and short essays for this high school research program.

United States citizenship and permanent resident status is required. Illinois high school enrollment is also required. 

Guidance on finding a research opportunity as a high school student

While the list above includes high school research programs, here are some tips to gain an opportunity locally.

Select a field of interest

Whether it is science, math, technology, art, or engineering, you should narrow your area of interest. After you choose a subject, think specifically what kind of research you want to participate in. For example, if you choose science, think of a field. Science is broad, it includes chemistry, biology, physics, to name a few. Choose something more specific. Then, think of a topic in that field. Biology, for example, can include neuroscience but also cancer research. Now, it is important to narrow your choices, but do not just choose one topic, chose a few. If you choose just one, it will really limit your options.

Also, keep in mind, while research often signals an image of people with microscopes, it does not always conducted in a STEM field. Humanities or social sciences are also fields with a research component. 

Connect with mentors, local institutions, and organizations

Your closest family members, teachers, and neighbors, may know some opportunities that fit your interest. Talking to them may lead to something or someone who has a research opportunity for you. 

Local hospitals, labs, universities, or clinics may offer opportunities for you. These sources often conduct research, and they may have openings. Sometimes, they are not very publicized, but if you ask, you may be surprised by what you find. 

Be sure to be respectful and show your interest as you ask.

Be Open-Minded

If you are offered an opportunity but it is not from your top-choice, consider still taking it. You will be surprised by what you gain out of it. Your skills will be boosted, and your perspective will expand. The important part is for you to gain experience and knowledge. Plus it might just be the boost you need to secure your top-choice next time!

Conclusion

Whether you like science or humanities, engineering or social sciences, there are research opportunities for you. You may have to be persistent to secure one, but at the end of the high school research program, you will have gained valuable experience.

Interested in our online AI coding program for middle & high school students? Enter your email below for program enrollment, updates & more!

   

About Inspirit AI

AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.

By Kanushi Dua, Inspirit AI Ambassador

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