Ultimate List of High School Research Opportunities
Students frequently don’t know where to look for research opportunities or how to volunteer with researchers. We include 15 opportunities for high school students to volunteer for research in this post. All of these options cost nothing, and while some require an application, others are always open to volunteers.
Here are 15 opportunities for high school students to volunteer in research:
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1. Advances in Applied Research in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
This curriculum includes lab research and workshops at the undergraduate level in fields like robotics, mechanical and electrical engineering, and civil and urban engineering. Juniors and sophomores in high school are eligible. At the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, students can get supervision from graduate or postdoctoral students over the course of seven weeks. At the program’s final colloquium, students will present their research findings to NYU faculty and graduate students, ARISE peers, other academic experts, family members, and friends. They will also receive presentation and public speaking training from ARISE’s partners at Irondale Ensemble Project. Each participant gets a stipend of at least $750.
2. Program for Anson L. Clark Scholars
Students have the opportunity to conduct a study in almost every field throughout the six-week Clark Scholars Program, from accounting to dance to philosophy and everything in between. The curriculum includes field trips, weekly seminars, discussions, and one-on-one research with experts. The Clark Scholars Program is extremely competitive, with just 12 students chosen each year. By the start date of the program, applicants must be 17 or older. The program provides a $750 stipend. This year’s application period ends on February 16.
3. High School STEM Research at the University of Illinois
Juniors and seniors in rising high schools are eligible for this program. A variety of STEM domains, including cancer immunology, pharmacogenomics of anticancer drugs, physics, biophysics, bioengineering, and electrical engineering, offer research opportunities for students. Those who are accepted into the program are paired with a fellow participant and a professor from a related field. The course lasts for six weeks and necessitates 30-35 hours of weekly time commitment.
4. Research in Materials Science Program (RIMS)
Students can do research in ASRC facilities thanks to RIMS, which is sponsored by the Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) of the City University of New York. Throughout the eight-week program, they also go to workshops for professional growth. Participating students receive a stipend, and admittance is extremely selective.
5. The Summer Student Program at Jackson Laboratory
Undergraduate and high school students who are 18 years old and have completed grade 12 are eligible to engage in the Jackson Laboratory Student Summer Program, which is a ten-week genetics and genomics research program (current seniors can apply). Each year, only 40 students, or around 3 percent of applicants, are accepted. Under the supervision of a mentor, students work on an individual research project over the course of the summer with the intention of presenting their findings at the program’s conclusion. The program provides a $6000 stipend.
6. National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program for High School Students (HS-SIP)
High school students have the chance to do full-time biomedical research at NIH facilities while collaborating with well-known experts thanks to the HS-SIP program. To be considered, applicants must be juniors or seniors at the time of application and 17 years old when the program begins. Only about 15% of applicants are accepted into HS-SIP, making it a very competitive program. The program lasts for 8 weeks and provides a monthly stipend of $2080.
7. United Nations (UN)
There are a ton of volunteer opportunities listed in the UN database. Volunteers who work from home are connected to institutions of government, such as the United Nations, and they support numerous initiatives aimed at promoting civic engagement. Other volunteer opportunities on the UN platform include writing, translating, using social media, and creating art and designs.
8. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University
This summer program, which runs from June 27 to August 11, is a full-time, on-site research program at Rockefeller University. Students must be currently enrolled in high school as juniors or seniors and be 16 years of age or older at the time of application. A recommendation letter is required by the program. Make careful you apply early because this program’s application deadline is normally in the fall of the previous summer.
9. Simons Summer Research Program
This year’s Simons Summer Research Program, which runs from June 27 to July 29, offers high school students the chance to conduct practical research in a number of fields, from physics and math to engineering. Students can participate in research teams, work together with professors, learn about lab tools and procedures, and receive a complete taste of life at a research university. To be eligible to apply, students must be 16 years old or older and submit two letters of recommendation. A little over 8% of applicants are accepted into the program. Students are compensated for their involvement with stipends.
10. Spark Summer Internship Program (Spark SIP)
Spark SIP is a program for students interested in computer science and related subjects. Through the internship program, students can do research in actual workplace environments while learning from and connecting with well-known industry leaders. To be eligible for the program, a student must be able to work full-time (30–40 hours a workday) for 8–12 weeks over the summer. The program provides a $500 maximum stipend.
Do you want to improve your chances of getting into a top-tier university? Schedule your consultation with Tokyo Academics today!
11. Summer Experience at Coriell Institute for Medical Research
The Coriell Institute is a pioneer in genetic and stem cell research. The four-week Summer Experience gives selected students the chance to collaborate with eminent scientists and researchers. Students participate in staff lectures, carry out their own research, learn data analysis, attend a session on resume-building, and then present their findings in a final presentation. Participants in the program get a $1,000 stipend in addition to the chance to work in Coriell’s Cytogenomics and Stem Cell labs. The minimum age for entry into the program is 17.
12. Fred Hutch Summer Internship Program for High School
The 8-week long, full-time Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship is open to rising seniors in high school. Students from underrepresented populations who are interested in biomedical science are especially targeted by the program. Students participate in research education seminars, professional development workshops, and mentorship from Fred Hutch research groups in addition to obtaining hands-on instruction in laboratory safety procedures and skills in the Fred Hutch Training Labs. On February 1st, applications for 2022 will be accepted. Students are compensated for their involvement with stipends.
13. Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
For current sophomores and juniors from underrepresented backgrounds who desire to earn college credit while “building mastery of essential principles in higher-level collegiate math and science,” Carnegie Mellon University offers SAMS. SAMS includes professional and academic development courses, field research projects, and classroom instruction. The course lasts for six weeks. Students follow a demanding curriculum that is taught by instructors from Carnegie Mellon University.
14. Research Science Institute (RSI)
The most selective STEM research program for high school students is usually regarded as RSI. Each year, roughly 80 students are accepted into this program, which is run by MIT. Students in the program collaborate on a personal project with a researcher in Boston. Students then give a conference-style presentation of their research to the larger community at the program’s conclusion. For the 80 available slots in 2019, there were over 1600 candidates, resulting in a 5 percent acceptance rate for the program
15. BC Children’s Hospital
High school students have the chance to take part in research education activities all year long at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. These activities are intended to promote careers in science and research and to inform pupils of fascinating research findings. High school students interested in research can become involved by volunteering to work with researchers at BC Children’s Hospital even though the research center does not have an official placement mechanism in place for them. Students that are interested in research possibilities can look at the profiles of affiliated investigators and get in touch with the research teams directly. To volunteer, students must be at least 16 years old.
Do you want to improve your chances of getting into a top-tier university? Schedule your consultation with Tokyo Academics today!
Cold Outreach
Professors can also be contacted through cold outreach. Cold emailing is a practical approach to expressing your interest in collaborating with professors. You show that you want to learn more about that field or topic of your choosing. In addition to being formal, a cold email for a research position should demonstrate a sincere interest in the professor’s work. Emails that show the sender has done their homework thoroughly, is interested in their earlier writings and has a genuine passion for what they do are typically favorably received. Make sure your email is brief, and to the point, and that you explain how you learned about the professor’s study and why you are interested in it.
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