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research program high school students

31 Research Opportunities + Internships for High Schoolers in 2024

What’s covered:.

  • Research Opportunities and Internships for High School Students
  • How to Find Research Opportunities in High School
  • How Will Doing Research Impact Your College Chances?

Research drives innovation across every field of study, from natural sciences to health to history. Pursuing curiosity can impact industries, drive policy, and help us to better understand the world around us. Without curiosity and research, our society would surely stagnate. 

Contrary to popular belief, however, you don’t have to be a seasoned professional to conduct meaningful research. There are plenty of opportunities for high school students to get a head start on their future careers and contribute to substantial change. Keep reading to learn about 30 great opportunities for students looking for early chances to conduct research! 

Research Opportunities and Internships for High School Students 

1. memorial sloan kettering human oncology and pathogenesis program.

Application Deadline: February 9

Location: New York, NY

Duration: Eight weeks (June 27 – August 22)

Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) is one of the most well-known cancer centers in the world. The Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) at MSK hosts a Summer Student Program for students to conduct independent research projects while participating in extracurricular activities, training, and other opportunities.  

During the eight-week program, participants work with a mentor who will act as a supervisor to help them develop their research skills. Additionally, students have the opportunity to complete an independent research project that aligns with their mentor’s work. All participants will present their projects at a poster session at the end of the summer.

To participate, you must have completed at least 9th grade by June 2024, be at least 14 years old by June 27, have a 3.5 GPA in science subjects, and submit two letters of recommendation. This is a paid opportunity—participants will receive a stipend. 

2. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program  

Application Deadline: January 5 

Duration: Seven weeks (June 24 – August 8) 

The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program allows high school students to conduct real, innovative research over seven weeks through the renowned Rockefeller University, under the guidance of leading scientists. 

SSRP scholars will be able to design and conduct their own research project as part of a themed research track, which is modeled after a Rockefeller research topic and/or technique, with the help of scientist mentors from the Rockefeller community. Most of the research will be conducted in the RockEDU Laboratory—a 3,000-square-foot research space specifically dedicated to developing biomedical research skills.

Students must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program to participate.  

3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Application Deadline : Varies by cohort. Main summer deadlines are March 15, April 15, and May 15

Location:  Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year

Founded by Harvard & Oxford researchers, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program pairs high-school students with PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project . At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have written an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as medicine, computer science, psychology, physics, economics, data science, business, engineering, biology, and international relations.

This program is designed to accommodate your schedule—you can participate in the summer, fall, winter, or spring, and the program is also conducted fully remotely. While you must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate high academic achievement (most students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3), no previous knowledge of your field of interest is required. The cost of the program ranges from $2,800 to $8,900, but financial aid is available.

Note that this is a selective program. Last year, over 4000 students applied for 500 spots in the program. You can find more details about the application here .

4. Research Science Institute (RSI)

Application Deadline: December 13 

Location: Cambridge, MA

Duration: Five weeks (June 23 – August 3) 

The prestigious RSI, which takes place at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) annually, brings together 100 of the world’s top high school students. The free program blends on-campus coursework with off-campus science and technology research. 

Participants complete individual research projects while receiving mentorship from experienced scientists and researchers, and present their findings through oral and written reports in a conference-style setting at the end of the program. 

5. NYU Tandon – Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)

Application Deadline: March 6

Duration: 10  weeks (June 3 – August 9)

Open to New York City high school students who will complete 10th or 11th grade in June 2024, the ARISE program provides access to college-level workshops and lab research across fields like bio, molecular, and chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, and AI.

Over the course of 10 weeks—four virtual and six in person—participants will receive guidance from graduate or postdoctoral students at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. 

6. Simons Summer Research Program

Application Deadline: February 7

Location: Stony Brook, NY

Duration: Five weeks (July 1 – August 9) 

During Stony Brook ’s Simons Summer Research Program, high school students conduct hands-on research in areas like science, math, and engineering while working with faculty mentors. Simons Fellows have the opportunity to join real research teams and learn about laboratory equipment and techniques. They also attend weekly faculty research talks and participate in special workshops, tours, and events. 

At the closing poster symposium, students will receive a stipend for their participation. To apply, you must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program and currently be in your junior year. 

7. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program

Application Deadline: N/A

Location: Greater Seattle area

Duration: 8-10 weeks 

SPARK is a summer mentorship program that pairs high-achieving and highly motivated high schoolers with industry experts, university professors, and mentors to conduct research on customers and financial markets. The program is only open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  

8. MDI Biological Laboratory – Biomedical Bootcamp 2024

Application Deadline: March 18 

Location: Bar Harbor, ME

Duration: One week (July 15 – 19) 

In this bootcamp, students will receive a hands-on introduction to biomedical research at MDI Biological Laboratory. Participants will learn essential scientific skills such as experimental design and hypothesis testing, cutting-edge laboratory techniques, data analysis, bioinformatics, and scientific communication. 

During the program, scientists and bioentrepreneurs at the lab will help participants explore scientific ethics at large, as well as career paths in biomedicine, research, and entrepreneurship in Maine and beyond.

Participants must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program and must be entering their junior or senior year in September 2024, or graduating in June 2024. 

9. Boston University – Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Internship  

Application Deadline: February 14  

Location: Boston, MA

Duration: Six weeks (June 30 – August 9)  

RISE is a six-week program for rising seniors with an interest in pursuing a major and/or career in STEM. There are a multitude of tracks available, in areas such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, and neuroscience. In each track, students conduct research under the mentorship of Boston University faculty, postdoctoral fellows, or graduate students. They will also attend weekly workshops with their peers. 

10. The Wistar Institute – High School Program in Biomedical Research

Application Deadline: March 31 

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Duration: Four weeks (July 15 – August 8) 

A leading biomedical research organization, The Wistar Institute is an ideal setting for students to learn research skills. Participants will complete their own research project while being trained in a principal investigator’s laboratory. They’ll also attend seminars, receive mentorship, and deliver a final presentation about their work.

Students are expected to participate Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Absences of more than two consecutive days cannot be accommodated. Students will receive a stipend of $1,000 upon completion of the program, to compensate for commuting costs or other personal expenses accrued during the program. 

11. California Academy of Sciences – Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program

Application Deadline: April 1, 2024

Location: San Francisco, CA

Duration: Multi-year, year-round participation (after school and on weekends)

This long term program gives San Francisco students from communities that are underrepresented in STEM the opportunity to learn about the world of science and sustainability. Students receive mentorship, develop career skills, and more—all while getting paid for their work. Students also attend workshops and conferences throughout the course of the program. 

12. NASA OSTEM Internship

Application Deadline: February 2

Location: Varies

Duration: Varies

NASA offers a variety of internships for high school students across its numerous campuses. Interns gain real-world work experience by working side by side with research scientists and engineers, which will strengthen their resume and help prepare them for their eventual careers. All participants must be at least 16 years old and enrolled in high school full time.

13. New-York Historical Society Student Historian Internship Program

Application Deadline: April 7

Duration: July 9 – August 15

Not all research is conducted in STEM subjects! Developed for students interested in history, the New-York Historical Society’s Student Historian Program gives participants the opportunity to conduct research on a history topic—2024’s theme is Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America . During the program, participants will work with historian mentors, visit history archives around New York City, lead gallery tours, and develop their historical thinking, communication, and digital media skills.

Applicants must be entering grades 10, 11, or 12, and live in the New York City metro area. This opportunity is unpaid for most participants, but some interns with demonstrated financial need can potentially receive a stipend.

14. Adler Planetarium Summer High School Internship  

Application Deadline: March 1

Location: Chicago, IL

Duration: Six weeks (July 8 – August 14)

During this summer internship program, students will learn about the Adler Planetarium and the career opportunities within it and planetariums and museums in general, in areas ranging from Visitor Experience and Learning to Research. Students will also get the chance to see how research gets translated into a museum experience. 

15. Zuckerman Institute Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia University (BRAINYAC)

Application Deadline: TBA for 2025 program

Duration: Eight weeks  

BRAINYAC participants receive the rare opportunity to work on research in a lab at Columbia University , one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, as high school students, which results in a stronger, more comprehensive understanding of how scientific discovery happens. They connect with real scientists, acquire essential research and laboratory skills, and learn about advances in neuroscience research. 

In order to apply, you must be in 10th or 11th grade and must be nominated by one of the program’s partners—S-PREP, Lang Youth Medical, Double Discovery Center, Columbia Secondary School, or BioBus.  

16. Brookfield Zoo King Conservation Science Scholars Program

Application Deadline: Rolling admission 

Location: Brookfield, IL

Duration: N/A

Interactive workshops, fun activities, research, and community-based projects are at the core of this exciting internship. It’s an excellent opportunity for students who love animals and also want to gain research skills in the domains of zoology, environmental science, and conservation. 

As a King Scholar, you’ll learn about different topics through Foundation Courses, such as Diversity Awareness and Introduction to Conservation, all while networking with others and preparing for college and an eventual career in a related field. After one year of participation, you’ll be invited to apply for scholarships and paid positions at the zoo. 

17. The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) at the American Museum of Natural History  

Application Deadline: March 8

Duration: One year (August to June) 

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the most iconic and fascinating places in New York City. Its Science Research Mentoring Program is an amazing opportunity for NYC high school students to conduct a yearlong research project with Museum scientists. 

Students in SRMP get paid to learn how scientific research is conducted. Depending on their topic of study, students can learn a variety of different research skills, like working with DNA in the lab, analyzing data from space-based telescopes, reading scientific articles, and learning to code and analyze data in Python, R, and other programming languages. 

18. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Application Deadline:   February 15

Location: Lubbock, TX

Duration: Seven weeks (June 16 – August 1) 

Through the Anson L. Clark Scholar Program, an intensive seven-week summer research program for twelve highly qualified high school juniors and seniors, students will gain hands-on experience with practical research alongside experienced and knowledgeable faculty at Texas Tech University .

Students can choose to participate in research in one field from a broad variety of options, including cell and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering, history, and more! 

To apply, students must complete an online application that includes short essays, high school transcripts, test scores (at least a PSAT if no others are available), three recommendations (at least two from teachers), and a list of the student’s top five activities.

19. UChicago Data Science Institute Summer Lab Program  

Application Deadline: January 16 

Duration: Eight weeks (June 10 – August 2)

The Data Science Institute Summer Lab Program is an immersive eight-week paid summer research program at the University of Chicago . During the program, high school and undergraduate students are paired with a data science mentor, whose expertise could be in computer science, data science, social science, climate and energy policy, public policy, materials science, biomedical research, or another related field.

Participants will hone their research methodology, research practice, and teamwork skills. No prior research experience is required to apply. All participants will receive access to applied data science research, which they will use to craft a research project. The project findings will be presented in a video that will be shown at an end-of-summer symposium.

20. UT Austin College of Natural Sciences High School Research Academy

Application Deadline: March 24

Location: Austin, TX

Duration: Five weeks (June 10 – July 17) 

Through UT Austin ’s HSRA, high school students participate in interdisciplinary research projects being conducted by active College of Natural Sciences laboratories in fields such as biochemistry, biology, environmental science, genetics, neuroscience, genome engineering, data analytics, ecology, and more. 

There is a scholarship fund for underserved groups, so some stipends and free tuition scholarships may be available to students with demonstrated financial need. 

21. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience – Summer Research Internship

Location: Jupiter, FL

Duration: Six weeks (June 17 – July 26) 

The MPFI Summer Research Internship offers rising juniors and seniors an immersive laboratory experience where they can learn from seasoned researchers. The program is designed specifically for students with an interest in brain structure, function and development, and the advanced imaging techniques and technologies used in neuroscience. 

Program participants will participate in research projects alongside MPFI scientists, prepare a written scientific abstract based on their research project, and deliver a short presentation at the end of the summer. Research tracks include neuroscience, scientific computer programming, and mechanical engineering as it relates to neuroscience.

Applicants must be entering their junior or senior years in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school, be residents of one of those two counties, and be at least 16 by the beginning of the internship. Interns will be paid at a rate of $12.50 per hour.

22. Lincoln Park Zoo Malott Family Zoo Intern Program

Application Deadline: March 11 

Duration: Seven weeks (June 24 – August 9) 

During this paid seven-week program, high school students learn how to educate others about animal and conservation sciences while crafting digital messages to engage audiences. The program culminates in a final project. Throughout the internship, students meet with researchers and the Animal Care staff to explore careers in the animal science and conservation fields. 

Applicants must be Chicago residents between the ages of 15-18, and must be entering grades 10-12 or their freshman year of college by the start of the internship.

23. The Scripps Research High School Internship Program  

Application Deadline: April 19

Location: La Jolla, CA

Duration: Seven weeks  

The Scripps Research Institute’s La Jolla, California headquarters is proud to offer a seven-week hands-on research experience for San Diego County high schoolers. The program is specially designed to expose students to careers in the biological and chemical sciences, to provide hands-on laboratory experience, and to motivate and prepare students for continuing education in STEM. 

Because Scripps is committed to increasing the number of students from underrepresented communities in STEM college programs, a special emphasis is placed on identifying and recruiting students who are from groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences. All students will receive a $4,760 stipend.

24. QuarkNet Summer Research Program  

Application Deadline: January 31

Location: DuPage County, IL

Duration: Seven weeks (June 17 – August 2) 

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a strong interest in STEM have a unique opportunity to work with scientists on research projects during this paid seven-week program at the prestigious Fermilab, located just outside of Chicago near Batavia, IL.

Interns are encouraged to indicate areas in which they have a particular interest, although research projects vary yearly based on the work ongoing at the lab. Broadly speaking, Fermilab’s focus is on particle physics.

Required application materials include a questionnaire, a letter of recommendation, and an essay. To apply, students must have U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status and must provide evidence of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Participants will be paid at a rate of $17.20 per hour.

25. RISE Environmentor Internship

Location: Far Rockaway, NY

Duration: Six weeks (July 1 – August 15)

The Environmentor Internship offers a great opportunity for 9th through 11th graders who live or attend school near the Rockaway Peninsula to gain firsthand research experience. Participants are mentored by scientists from local universities and research institutions as they work on projects focused on the Rockaway shoreline. Past research topics have included sea turtle strandings, octopus behavior, mussel denitrification, and dolphin fin morphology.

Students will also take part in water safety courses, receive CPR training, and explore on-water activities like kayaking and surfing. Students receive up to a $1,200 stipend, as well as community service hours for their participation in the program.

26. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)

Application Deadline: February 24

Location: Stanford, CA

Duration: Eight weeks (June 10 – August 1)

Students in this summer program are given the chance to perform research on a medically oriented project and work side by side with Stanford University students, researchers, and faculty. Students can choose from eight areas of research, including topics like immunology, cancer biology, and bioinformatics, which are all designed to increase their interest in the biological sciences and provide a deeper understanding of how scientific research is conducted.

The program is open to current high school juniors and seniors. Students will receive a minimum $500 stipend for their participation in the program.

27. Secondary Student Training Program

Application Deadline: February 16

Location: Iowa City, IA

Duration: June 19 – July 26

High schoolers in grades 10 and 11 can take part in an immersive research experience, which will allow them to explore their interests, enhance their academic skills, and build relationships with their peers during this research-focused summer program.

Participants can choose from a multitude of research areas, ranging from biology to industrial and systems engineering to religious studies. The program culminates with students creating and presenting a poster of their findings. All participants will live on the University of Iowa ‘s campus for the duration of the program, and have access to all of the university’s libraries, study areas, and computer facilities.

Although this program is quite expensive, with a fee of $7,500, financial aid is available to cover up to 95% of the cost.

28. Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Program

Location: Urbana, IL

Duration: Six weeks (June 20 – August 2)

This program, offered by the prestigious Grainger College of Engineering at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) , allows students to gain hands-on research experience in fields such as cancer immunology, AI, physics, quantum mechanics, and electrical engineering. They will also build valuable general life skills by participating in seminars on topics ranging from the college admission process to how to communicate scientifically.

The program is open to rising 10th through 12th graders from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

29. Summer Science Program (SSP)

Duration: Varies depending on location and field of focus

Students in the SSP get the chance to work in small teams on a real research project and gain firsthand experience taking and analyzing data. Research opportunities are offered in three fields—astrophysics, biochemistry, and genomics—and are held at a variety of institutions, including University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Georgetown University , Purdue University , and New Mexico State University .

The program is open to high school juniors, although a small number of exceptional sophomores have attended the program. You must be between 15-19 to participate, and have completed prerequisite coursework, which varies by field. Financial aid is available for this program.

30. The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program

Application Deadline: January 29

Location: Bar Harbor, ME, and Farmington, CT

Duration: 10 weeks (June 1 – August 10)

Students immerse themselves in genetics and genomics research while learning about laboratory discovery and scientific communication, as well as building professional skills. Over the course of the 10-week program, students work with a mentor to develop a research project, implement their plan, analyze their data, and report their results.

This prestigious program is competitive. Just 40 students are selected to participate annually. Participants receive a $6,500 stipend and have their room, board, and travel expenses covered.

31. Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program

Application Deadline: March 31

Location: Seattle, WA

Duration: Eight weeks (June 24 – August 16) 

This full-time, paid internship opportunity offers students a chance to immerse themselves in activities at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center, one of the top cancer research centers in the world. The program begins with two weeks of laboratory training and is followed by six weeks of mentored activities, research seminars, workshops focused on college and careers, and social activities.

The program is open to high schoolers entering their senior year with a strong interest in science and high academic achievement, and is specifically aimed at students from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical science. Interns receive a stipend upon successful completion of the program.

How to Find Research Opportunities in High School 

Define your area of interest .

Before you start looking for opportunities, narrow your area of interest a bit, whether it’s cancer, engineering, computer science, neuroscience, or something else entirely. Also bear in mind that while there may be more STEM opportunities available for high school students, research isn’t limited to these fields—research is also a key component of the social sciences, humanities, and other non-STEM fields. 

While you should be somewhat specific about what you’re hoping to research, don’t narrow your scope so much that it’s impossible to find a valuable opportunity, especially since opportunities for high schoolers in general are more limited than they are for students who have completed at least some college.

Talk to People in Your Immediate Circle 

Teachers, neighbors, your family, parents of friends, friends of your parents—any of these people could know about a research opportunity for you, or at least know someone else who does. Throughout your life, you will find that networking is often the key to finding career opportunities. 

Leveraging your network can help you uncover unique opportunities crowdsourced by the people who know you best—the best opportunities aren’t always hosted by large universities or programs. 

Reach Out to Local Institutions and Laboratories 

In addition to networking with your immediate circle, reach out to local facilities, such as labs, hospitals, clinics, and universities that conduct research. Even if opportunities aren’t publicized, these institutions and laboratories may be willing to make room for you. Remember: when pitching your idea, don’t make it too niche—this will make it more difficult to find a fit and market your skills to labs. 

Cast a Wide Net 

Research opportunities are hard to secure, especially when you’re a young student, so you need to be persistent. You may need to write a hundred emails, but if you put in the effort and cast a wide net, you’ll vastly improve your chances of landing a great opportunity. 

Try not to be too picky, either. Of course, you shouldn’t just accept any offer , especially if it doesn’t appeal to you. But even if the opportunity doesn’t align perfectly with your skills and interests, it can still be a great chance to gain experience and make you a better candidate for future experiences.

How Will Doing Research Impact Your College Chances? 

How much participating in research enhances your college admissions profile depends on many factors, including the scope of the project, the prestige of the program or institution, your individual role and performance, the institution’s connections to or sponsorships by certain colleges, and even how much weight a college places on extracurricular activities in general. 

Generally speaking, there are four tiers of extracurricular activities that colleges think about when reviewing applicants’ activities. Selective, competitive, and prestigious activities are often found in the top tiers, Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 1 includes things such as being a highly recruited basketball player or an award-winning national science fair competitor. 

Tier 2 is similar, but is usually reserved for activities that are less exceptional than those in Tier 1. Tiers 3 and 4 are reserved for more common extracurricular achievements, such as holding school leadership positions or being a member of a debate team.

Research usually falls into Tier 2, and some particularly prestigious opportunities could even be Tier 1. That’s because it’s somewhat unusual for high school students to conduct research in professional and collegiate settings, so it’s more likely to impress colleges than other kinds of extracurricular activities.

Do you want to find out the impact research and other extracurricular activities might have on your chances of admission to top colleges and universities? Try using CollegeVine’s free chancing calculator ! 

Our tool evaluates your admissions profile, by accounting for factors like your grades,standardized test scores, and extracurriculars (including research!) to show you how you stack up against other applicants and how likely you are to get into hundreds of different colleges and universities. You’ll also receive tips on how to improve your profile and your odds—all for free.

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.

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research program high school students

Research Opportunities for High School Students

Hands-on laboratory-based research experiences are coveted by just about every STEM-oriented teenager on the planet. Of course, this level of demand renders research apprenticeships a valuable and rare commodity for high school students. Fortunately, there are a number of reputable summer programs run by universities, government agencies, and private research laboratories that afford young scientists this highly sought after experience. Research opportunities during the actual school year are more challenging to locate as colleges are, at that time, catering to their own students, and the rigidity of the high school calendar makes participation a further challenge.

College Transitions’ list of Research Opportunities for High School Students includes a bevy of summer program choices as well as a list of internships and apprenticeships that are indeed offered during the school year. For each entry, we list the geographic location of the program, whether there is a residential component offered, the length of the program, any associated costs or—on the other end—stipends, when the application window opens and closes, and the eligibility criteria for participation. We hope that this collection of research opportunities leads to you/your teen finding the laboratory experience of their dreams.

To view additional data columns, click the + icon to the left of the program’s name

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Stanford institutes of medicine summer research program, program description.

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week program in which high school students with a broad range of experiences, interests and backgrounds are invited to perform basic research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students and researchers on a medically-oriented project. The goals of the program include increasing interest in biological sciences and medicine in high school students and helping students to understand how scientific research is performed.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS  

ALL 3 of the following requirements must be met (no exceptions):

1) Students must currently be juniors or seniors at the time of application (as of the spring of 2024).  Students must be in the graduating class of 2024 or 2025.

2) Students must also be  16 years old or older  by the start of the program.

3)  Students must currently be living in and attending school in the U.S. AND must be  U.S. citizens or permanent residents  with a green card in order to apply.

Important Note:  Please read the MISSION link on the lefthand panel.  The selection process will heavily favor local (Bay Area) students. Please visit the FAQ for more information.  Also, students must be able to start the program on June 10, 2024.  

SUMMER 2024 UPDATE:

  • The current plans are to have an in-person program for the summer of 2024.  
  • Summer 2024 Program Dates:  June 10- August 1, 2024 (8 weeks)
  • The online application and program information document will be available on our website on Wednesday, Dec. 20th, 2023 (at 5pm PST) .  Applications will be due Saturday, February 24th, 2024.

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research program high school students

High School Research Program  (HSRP )

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The High School Research Program (HSRP) is a highly competitive six-week educational program for students interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies.  

Program Overview

The HSRP program provides selected students access to a real-world scientific community and research experience that includes:

  • Collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratory’s scientific, engineering, and technical staff on hands-on projects that supports Brookhaven Lab and the Department of Energy’s mission to ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions 
  • Research collaboration opportunities available onsite and remotely.
  • Opportunity to share experiences as part of a poster session and/or oral presentation at the conclusion of the program

HSRP participants have the opportunity to be part of a wide array of projects, like this study done in support of COVID-19 research in which students conducted computational studies exploring inhibitor drugs that disrupt proteins that help infectious particles escape from cells.

My Story: the High School Research Program

February 2, 2022

Participants in Brookhaven National Laboratory's 2021 High School Research Program share the value of their experience. The High School Research Program (HSRP) is a highly competitive six-week educational program for students interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) studies. The HSRP program provides selected students access to a real-world scientific community and research experience.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Recommended for students that have completed 11th grade. Due to Brookhaven National Laboratory safety regulations students under the age of 18 may not be allowed to perform certain tasks.
  • Need to be at least 16 years of age by the start of the program.
  • Available Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the duration of the program.
  • U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder) of the U.S.
  • Active health insurance for the duration of the program.
  • This is a commuter program, transportation and housing are not provided.

Application Requirements

  • Before completing the application process, please have the name, zip code and phone number of your school including the district superintendent name and email address. 
  • Two recommendation letters from a teacher or mentor (math or science preferred) are required.  Student recommendations are submitted online. Instructions on how to request and submit the recommendation letters are provided in the application confirmation email. 
  • Name and email address of your research teacher (if you have one).

Only complete applications will be considered. Students are notified of their acceptance in the program on a rolling basis. 

HSRP Online Application Form

Important Dates

Online application opens, 8:30 a.m., applications are due, 5 p.m., references are due, 11:45 p.m., program start, 8:30 a.m., program ends, 5 p.m..

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16 Virtual Research Opportunities for High School Students

Every discipline of study, from economics to physics to sociology, relies on research to fuel innovation. Research impacts the everyday functioning of industries, the direction of major policy decisions, and helps us understand the world around us. Today, research has become one of the most important ways for high school students to spend their time during the summer, with research experience becoming a distinctive advantage in the college admission process.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted a lot of research opportunities and experiences that students previously had access to. Due to social distancing rules, many high school students are finding it more difficult to gain hands-on experience. Additionally, several students who live in other parts of the world can have trouble accessing research opportunities located on-campus in countries abroad. Fortunately, a number of research opportunities are now virtual, making them more accessible for students.

Here are 15 Virtual Research Opportunities for High School Students:

1. Perimeter Institute International Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP)

ISSYP is a summer program for current juniors and seniors who are interested in theoretical physics and want to pursue it in college. Students attend Perimeter Institute experts' talks on the newest theoretical physics issues, as well as short courses, keynote speeches, and mentorship sessions. ISSYP is a very competitive program that only accepts 30–40 students each year. While ISSYP used to be hosted at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario, it is now an entirely online program.

Cost : $195

2. Veritas AI  - AI Fellowship

Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship.  

These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. 

The   AI Fellowship  program will have students pursue their own independent AI research project. Students work on their own individual research projects over a period of 12-15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the field of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects   here

The application requires you to fill out an online application form , answers to a few questions pertaining to your background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest. It is open to all ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit past experience with AI concepts or Python. Do note that the application deadline and programs dates close on a rolling basis, with multiple cohorts throughout the year!

$1,790 for the 10-week AI Scholars program

$4,900 for the 12-15 week AI Fellowship 

$4,700 for both

Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply   here . 

3. UC San Diego Academic Connections Research Scholars

This summer program selects 25 students to work on research, individually with a UCSD faculty researcher, in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or Nanotechnology. The program has shifted online for the 2022 edition. The program is available to rising sophomore, junior, and senior students. The program lasts 6 weeks.

Cost : $4200

4. Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP) (University of Iowa)

Designed for advanced students in their sophomore and junior years, this program is highly selective, and offers students the chance to conduct research in a wide list of fields ranging from Biochemistry to Religious Studies. Participants are placed under the guidance of a faculty mentor, and get to work on research with them. While some disciplines can only be researched offline, others are available online. The length of the program is 5 weeks. Applications for this program close on February 18th.

Cost : $6395

5. United Nations

On the United Nations' database, there are a plethora of volunteer opportunities. Volunteers who work from home are connected to government bodies, like the United Nations, and they help with a variety of civic advocacy efforts. Research, writing, translation, social media, and art and design are among the other volunteer activities available through the United Nations platform.

Cost : None

6. Camp Psych, Gettysburg College

This virtual program takes place over 5 days, rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible. This year, the dates are July 11-15th, 2022. The program is designed for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and involves approximately 17.5 hours of live sessions via Zoom. Students will spend most of the week in small groups, complemented with a few larger whole camp sessions. Each session will involve lectures, discussions, activities, and demonstrations. Instructors will answer questions about college, careers, and research.

Cost : $350

7. Syracuse University Pre-College Accelerated Online Semester: Social Psychology

The 8 week pre-college course is taught by SU faculty and instructors, and classes are structured like real college classes. The program is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The program offers a wide variety of courses, ranging from forensic science to academic writing. Students attend classes and explore research on prominent topics in their chosen discipline.

Cost : $695

research program high school students

8. EnergyMag Research Internship

Open to high school and college students, EnergyMag offers virtual research internships to students looking to gain experience working in the renewable energy sector. Students gain research and analytical skills, alongside work experience, by researching specific companies, technologies, and markets. Internships can be half-time (2-8 weeks, 20 hours per week) or quarter-time (1-9 months, 8 hours per week)

9. PHC Group, LLC Mary Miller Summer Program

Through this paid internship, rising high school seniors and graduates can build leadership skills and pursue independent interests. Students will work on social media and community projects, as well as social marketing research under the direction of the public health director.

10. Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory – High School Student Summer Research Fellowship

In this research fellowship, students join MDI Biological Laboratory to develop their lab science research skills. Participants receive hands-on training and experience in research from instructors who work at premier labs. Before applying, students must be nominated by a teacher. Students receive a stipend for their participation.

Cost : None 11. Camp Euclid – A Mathematics Research Camp

Camp Euclid is a math research program for kids that takes place online. Math problems will be presented to the participants (which have never been solved before). Within a circle of fellow scholars, students spend time on understanding, solving, and applying complex math problems. The opportunity is open to students over the age of 13.

Cost : $1400

12. Seattle Children’s Research Institute – Research Training Program

Students can become familiar with research and gain hands-on experience, as well as increase their knowledge of global health. They will also participate in workshops on college readiness and career exploration. The program has both online and in-person components.

research program high school students

13. The Summer Youth Intensive Program

The College of Chemistry at UC Berkeley coordinates and conducts the Summer Youth Intensive Program (SYIP). The one-year program helps students who are interested in scientific research to gain hands-on experience, and improve their chances of success in college. It also aims to assist students in adjusting to college life.

Cost : $14,500

14. CHORI – Cystic Fibrosis Summer Research Program

The CHORI Summer Student Research Program allows students to spend three months during the summer immersed in basic and/or clinical research. The program matches students with one or two CHORI PIs who act as mentors, guiding them through the whole research process. The phases include research design, hypothesis testing, and methodological development. At the end of the program, students present their findings to their peers.

15. Simons Summer Research Program

Conducted from June 27th to July 29th this year, the Simons Summer Research Program gives high school students the opportunity to undertake hands-on research in a variety of disciplines, ranging from science and math to engineering. Students can join research teams, collaborate with faculty members, and learn about laboratory equipment and methodologies. Students receive a stipend for their participation.

16. UIllinois – High School STEM Research Programs

This program is open to rising high school juniors and seniors. Students receive an authentic STEM research experience at a research university for 6 weeks during the summer, in disciplines ranging from cancer immunology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, physics, quantum mechanics, bioengineering, to electrical engineering. Students accepted into the program will be matched with another student and a teacher from their chosen field.

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are interested in a selective, structured research program, consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online high school program for students founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers. The program pairs you with a full-time researcher to develop your own independent research project, in any discipline of your choice. Last year over 1500 students applied to 500 slots in the research program! You can find the application form here.

Committed student studying for her Polygence project

Polygence Research Program

Polygence offers a personalized passion project experience for high school students that is fully guided by an expert mentor. See which Polygence program works best for you to channel your interest into a unique research project!

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Introducing PolyPilot:

Our AI-Powered Mentorship Program

Motivated student during a Polygence session with her mentor

The Core Program

One-on-one mentorship for students with an idea of what they want to study and research

The Polygence Core Program pairs students with an expert mentor to explore their unique research interest over a structured project with 10 one-on-one sessions , deepening the student’s research skills and building a student-driven research outcome they can proudly showcase.

Motivated student with mentor

The Launchpad Bundle

For students who want to do the Core program but would like help to ideate and define their project idea beforehand

The Launchpad Bundle is a two-part research program that pairs students with expert mentors to explore areas of research and refine a unique project idea. Students then partner with an expert to complete that research over the course of a 13-session Core project.

Female student at science fair showcasing her research

Premium Showcasing Bundle

For the students who want to showcase their work

The Premium Showcasing Bundle is a two-part research and publication project experience that pairs students with a set of expert mentors to both support their research and design a structured plan for sharing their research work creatively in a publication or showcasing opportunity.

Polygence and the Gifted and Talented Institute (GATI) transferable credit program

We are proud to partner with the pre-collegiate Gifted and Talented Institute (GATI) at a top US research university to allow students the opportunity to apply to a research writing program for the chance to earn 3 academic credits.

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Polygence Program Bundles

Launchpad Program

Core Program

Premium Showcasing Support

The Core Polygence Program

The Polygence core program consists of 10 one-on-one sessions between the student and mentor. The program is structured around 3 Milestones in addition to regular assignments to ensure students make steady progress on their project. Given the diversity of projects, these milestones are designed to be as flexible as possible to accommodate any and all types of projects.

Would you like to get a clear sense of your academic interests and explore career paths? Are you ready to get professional support for showcasing you work? Check out our program add-ons through the interactive toggles below!

The Application Process

Polygence Application

Initial Application

At Polygence, students define their own interests and projects. In the application students provide their background and interests, and what they would like to explore.

Admissions Advisor on a call with a student

Consultative Call

If necessary, we work with the student to help them develop a subject, topic, or issue that they are truly passionate about exploring.

Student accepted to the Polygence Program

Accepted + Matched

If the student is a good fit for the program, then their application will be sent to our cohort of available mentors for review. It is ultimately up to a mentor to accept a student’s project.

What is the Core Program?

The Polygence core program is a 10-session research project where students are matched with an expert mentor to explore a specific and unique research topic selected by the student. The program is designed to be structured, but flexible, and is a great way for students of all experience levels to begin or deepen their research skills, but excited to explore their unique passions. Our students walk away from the program with a deeper understanding of their chosen research area, a strong foundation in how to conduct academic research, and a unique project outcome that they can choose to share with the world.

What do I get with Core

10 one-on-one sessions with a mentor selected for their expertise in the project subject matter. 

The program has 3 flexibly designed Project Milestones meant to keep students on track.

Regular assignments from an expert mentor to create structure and guidance for students towards their expressed goals.

2 rounds of Writing Feedback support for any written materials

Access to the Polygence High School Showcasing Database 

Access to submit to the pre-print research archive, Research Archive of Rising Scholars and rank as a Google Scholar.

An opportunity to present their work at the bi-annual Symposium of Rising Scholars.

What is Launchpad?

Launchpad is a 4-session program that helps students define their project idea prior to their Core program experience.

Launchpad students begin with meeting separately with 3 distinct mentors specializing in the careers or academic subjects that the student is interested in focusing their project on. Students work with each mentor to gather inspiration for possible project ideas and workshop through ideas together. After that, students have a Reflection Session with a Polygence trained educator designed to synthesize what the student learned from each of their mentors and help students converge at one specific Core project idea they feel excited about.

Next, the student will then begin their 10-session Core research project matched with a mentor whose expertise can support this deeper research.

What do I get with Launchpad

Everything in the Core Program, plus

3 discovery sessions beforehand, each with a different mentor.

1 Reflection Session with a trained educator to help synthesize learnings and get to a clear project idea

A customized report from the Reflection Session that outlines next steps for the student

Motivated student during a Polygence session with her mentor

What is the Premium Showcasing Bundle?

Premium Showcasing Bundle is a 13-session research and publication project experience that builds off of the Core Program. Students will begin the 10-session Core research project matched with a mentor whose expertise can support this deeper research, and follow it with an additional 3-session phase designed to help students build a specific and structured plan for how best to share their work creatively and effectively. In this phase, students are matched with a Showcasing Specialist who is trained to help them identify relevant showcasing opportunities for their research, format their work for submission, and even support them in framing their research for college applications. Students can use these sessions to prepare to publish in a journal, present at a conference, compete in a science fair, create a podcast, get an app live in the App Store, or any number of other endless opportunities.

What do I get with Premium Showcasing:

Everything in Core, plus 

3 one-on-one sessions with a Showcasing Specialist

A customized and structured showcasing plan built with a Showcasing Specialist.

Submission support to up to 3 appropriate showcasing opportunities. (Note: Showcasing to more than one opportunity is only allowed if a prior showcasing outlet did not accept the work).

Support in framing the project on college applications for students who are in their final year of high school.

Female student at science fair showcasing her research

What is the UCIxGATI college credit program?

The Gifted and Talented Institute (GATI) at the University of California, Irvine identifies and develops the gifts and talents of academically advanced and hardworking pre-college students from all around the world, regardless of background. The GATI program empowers pre-college students to engage innovative research and jumpstart their careers. This is an exclusive 3-credit program available only to current Polygence students and alumni. It is partially self-paced and fully remote, and does require the student to exercise strong time management as they get early exposure to the rigor of college level coursework.

What do I get with UCIxGATI:

Access to the UCI library and research archives

An opportunity to submit your research to the GATI journal

The potential to receive 3 credits towards your college transcript

Project Spotlight

How do age and biological sex influence vaccine responses and public health guidelines?

How do age and biological sex influence vaccine responses and public health guidelines?

Samiya

Analysing the Multi-Faceted Process of 3-link Robot Arm Simulation

Arya

'Reaching Our Star' - Blending Animation With Real-life

Alex

Interested in starting  your own project?  Apply today!

Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach

Research experience for high school students.

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About the Research Experience for High School Students

The Research Experience for High School Students (REHSS) Program is a program for current Interdisciplinary Science and Research students. Here, students complete an intensive, 6-week scientific research internship at Vanderbilt University, centering on full immersion in a Vanderbilt University or Vanderbilt University Medical Center research lab. Students engage in an independent research project under the mentorship of a research faculty member at Vanderbilt. These rising high school seniors should show an interest in a career in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).

More information

For general REHSS questions please contact us here . Students are encouraged to email us directly to practice professional communication.

Argonne National Laboratory

High school research programs.

Argonne offers unique research immersion programs that challenge AP and honors-level students as well as provide them with amazing tools and outstanding scientific mentorship. These special programs invite united collaboration between Education, User Offices, and Divisions across the Argonne campus. Completion of these programs gives students matchless insight and perspective about the research enterprises at Argonne, including new approaches to problems and scientific thinking.

Exemplary Student Research Program

College bound research.

High School Research

Advanced high school math students interested in research and mathematics can undertake research projects during the academic year as well as the summer. The two programs available to high school students are:

  • RSI - Research Science Institute
  • PRIMES - Program for Research In Mathematics, Engineering, and Science

Please visit each section for more information.

research program high school students

  • Educational Programs

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Explore opportunities and apply.

Feature video and images by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

ORNL educational programs provide experiences that complement academic programs and provide opportunities for additional learning, development, and training in a workplace setting. ORNL is committed to enriching our laboratory culture and future workforce by providing educationally based, mission-aligned experiences with world-class researchers and staff and access to premier facilities.  All interns and faculty are required to follow ORNL’s COVID-19 safety protocols.

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Early Education

Learn from scientific research staff through virtual classroom visits or experience STEM hands-on at the Traveling Science Fair!

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Participate in science competitions, summer workshops, science camps, and more!

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Conduct graduate research at the nation’s largest multiprogram science and technology lab.

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Learn about team science and collaborative research through internships mentored by world-class scientists and professionals!

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Help create solutions to today’s most pressing scientific problems while conducting research with dedicated mentors using world-leading scientific resources.

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Educational Program Highlights

up to 1,200 university and high school students participate in ORNL programs each year

feel their ORNL experience benefited their career

research program high school students

were satisfied with their experience

research program high school students

were satisfied with their mentor

Success after ORNL

research program high school students

Ideal Location

Located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, ORNL’s campus is just 1 hour away from the nation’s most visited national park. Within a day’s drive of all major cities on the East Coast, ORNL provides the best of both worlds: proximity to the great outdoors and growing urban centers with diverse cultural attractions. The city of Oak Ridge has 150 miles of shoreline for water recreation, rowing, and boating, and nearby Knoxville is home to the thriving research campus of the University of Tennessee and a historic downtown known for its dining, theaters, shopping, and cultural and music festivals.

In addition, East Tennessee is affordable, with a cost of living 8% lower than the national average and no state income tax. It is one of the safest areas in the United States and has excellent school systems, including the Oak Ridge School District, one of two districts in the world that are K–12 STEM certified.

K-12 STEM Outreach

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach is vital to the nation’s development of future scientists, engineers and innovators. As the U.S. Department of Energy’s largest multiprogram science and energy laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is committed to serving the public as a valued partner in educational initiatives, promoting and expanding STEM experiences for the next generation.

For more information about educational opportunities with ORNL, please email [email protected] .

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for educational programs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle LLC for the US Department of Energy

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Science & discovery

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for the public

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for researchers

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for academia

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  • Work with ORNL
  • Economic Development
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Inspiring and educating the next generation of STEM professionals

PNNL partners with colleges, universities, and high schools to offer student internships in a wide range of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and business fields. Internships are open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, with opportunities either during the summer or academic year. As a PNNL intern, students can work in a laboratory alongside experienced researchers or in a PNNL office to expand their knowledge in a scientific field, develop their research abilities and business skills, and form relationships with PNNL’s scientists, engineers, and business leaders.

Opportunities for High School Students

During the academic year, PNNL offers internships to high school students interested in either business or research, with work available up to four hours per day, five days per week. The  High School Business Intern  program allows students to work closely with experienced PNNL business professionals, while students in the  High School Research Intern  program receive mentorship in a laboratory setting from PNNL scientists and engineers. PNNL offers elective credits for these internships through work-based learning programs at students’ schools.

The  Summer Research Apprenticeship  and  Young Women in Science  summer programs last 10 weeks and give students interested in STEM fields opportunities to conduct laboratory research with PNNL mentors.

In addition to direct research experience, these programs include leadership development activities, field trips, and communications and career awareness workshops. Students must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible to work in PNNL laboratory spaces and in some field work settings.

Join Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for our Pathway Summer School for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science's Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) initiative sponsored by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS). If you are a graduating high school senior interested in learning about renewable energy and exploring what it is like to be an intern at PNNL, this 4-week experience is ideal for you! You will participate in a culturally relevant, active learning experience that unpacks the science behind wind energy, hydropower, and marine energy.

Opportunities for College and University Students

PNNL hires hundreds of undergraduate and graduate student interns each year through a variety of internship programs:

  • Community College Internships and Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships —sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science’s Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists program—provide technical training and research experiences alongside PNNL scientists and engineers. Opportunities also include the Office of Science Graduate Student Research program, and the Visiting Faculty Program.
  • PNNL Business Interns  are undergraduate students who work with professional staff s upporting PNNL’s management and operations systems.
  • The  National Security Internship Program  allows undergraduate and graduate students to work in various scientific fields related to national security.
  • Project Interns  explore research and technology career options while gaining practical training. There are internships available for undergraduate and graduate students.
  • PNNL and the University of Maryland (UMD) offer internships to undergraduate and graduate students at the  Joint Global Change Research Institute  on UMD’s campus in College Park, Maryland. Interns work with scientists developing models of the Earth system and linkages between socioeconomic and natural systems.
  • PNNL and the Oregon Health & Science University offer internships to graduate students through the  Pacific Northwest Biomedical Innovation Co-Laboratory (PMedIC) . Interns work with PNNL scientists on key projects to improve human health and disease treatment through collaborations that integrate cutting-edge research and education with clinical practice. These internships are individually crafted to meet the researcher and intern goals, and may be virtual, hybrid, or on PNNL’s campus.
  • The  PNNL Safeguards Internship Program  hires undergraduate and graduate students with backgrounds in public policy and science and engineering fields and an interest in nuclear power and nonproliferation. Policy students gain greater familiarity with technical dimensions of nuclear energy and nonproliferation, while science and engineering students gain insight into policy dimensions of work in nuclear fields.
  • The National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP)  provides paid opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Minority Serving Institutions. The paid internships, for students of all academic backgrounds, is an opportunity for them to gain research experience for 10 to 12 weeks, while learning about careers that align with NNSA’s mission to strengthen the nation through nuclear security.
  • The no-cost Radiation Detection for Nuclear Security Summer School is perfect for students enrolled in graduate programs in fields relevant to radiation detection such as nuclear engineering, nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, and high-energy physics.

The Energy and Environment Diversity Internship Program (EEDIP) is designed for students passionate about environmental and clean energy science. This competitive opportunity supports traditionally under-represented students in target technical areas through a 10-12 week paid internship. In addition to hands-on experience, interns receive mentorship by leading experts in their scientific fields. 

Our Environment Management Internship and postdoctoral research  gives the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while being mentored by a leading expert in the research field. In this area, work completed will align with one of our core capabilities at PNNL in Environmental Management, Environmental Remediation, and Waste Processing. 

The Pathway Summer School for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science's Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) initiative sponsored by the Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) is an immersive, cohort-based program that introduces students to the teams at PNNL that conduct research in renewable energy science. If you are interested in learning about renewable energy and exploring what it is like to be an intern at PNNL, this 4-week experience is ideal for you! You will participate in a culturally relevant, active learning experience that unpacks the science behind wind energy, hydropower, and marine energy.

The Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program prepares graduate students for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics careers that are critically important to the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) mission, by providing graduate thesis research opportunities at DOE laboratories. The SCGSR program provides supplemental awards to outstanding U.S. graduate students to pursue part of their graduate thesis research at a DOE laboratory, providing access to expertise, resources, and capabilities unique to national laboratories.

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INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH

Studying the high school experience.

In a Q&A, IPR’s Simone Ispa-Landa discusses her forthcoming book examining a suburban high school

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Most ethnographers of adolescent life are really getting in at the student level—they're following the students. I was able to do that, but also understand where teachers and administrators are coming from.”

Simone Ispa-Landa IPR sociologist

students in high school hallway

High school is a crucial institution shaping students’ life trajectories, but how does attending a large, diverse school affect that experience? In a forthcoming book, IPR sociologist Simone Ispa-Landa explores how students experience life at a multi-racial suburban school and the way school administrators manage public pressure to reduce racial disparities in discipline.  

The  book, under contract with the University of California Press, is based on a  five-year intensive qualitative study of a large racially and  socio-economically diverse public suburban high school. Ispa-Landa spent years interviewing students and observing interactions in  hallways and student clubs to understand how they experienced daily life and  dealt with issues like discipline, bullying, and harassment. She also spoke with school administrators and teachers to   learn more about the incentives that shape what kinds of student problems they  choose to prioritize and address.  

Ispa-Landa spoke with IPR about what she learned about the  student experience and the challenges of serving a large and diverse student  population.  

  This  Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.  

What  made you interested in studying this particular high school?   

In  some ways it’s an ideal case study for looking at the selves and  relationships students can form in high school because it's a school with very strong leadership on equity—unusually strong leadership when it  comes to racial equity—and really  clear messaging to staff about the importance of relationships  and trust. So, studying where and how things  can go wrong at a school like this speaks to real challenges that have to do with the broader pressures and constraints that affect how school leaders are able to tackle the challenges facing  students.

Was  there anything unique about how you conducted the research for this book?   

It  [the school] gave me unprecedented access, I think. Typically,  when qualitative researchers go into schools, they do not have the view of what  happens behind closed doors with superintendents and principals and   other top-level administrators . I was lucky in getting what seems like unprecedented access to different levels of the school.  

Most  ethnographers of adolescent life are really getting in at the student level—they're following the students. I was able to do that, but also  understand where teachers and administrators are  coming from. I was able  to look at both sides of the story.  

When  you write about how the school was trying to address racial disparities in discipline, it seems like administrators were also trying to figure out which population of students to serve. How did you see that play out?  

Because  of accountability pressures and very well-founded concerns about how explicitly  racial disparities operated, school administrators constructed Black male students as the group  most in need of support . "The  school is built and designed for White girls" was something I heard a lot. But, reality is always more complex. The overreliance on narrow data  and metrics can lead to skewed perceptions of students and their needs. 

Are  there any findings from the book you can share?  

I  found a lot of sexualized bullying. In the book, I talk about why that was so pervasive and why that was so hard for the school to address.

I  found that Black male students were simultaneously hyper-surveilled and controlled, but also  there was a reluctance to authentically engage with them because  teachers were afraid of appearing racist. So there were extremes—extreme control, and extreme pretending  not to see.  

I  was surprised to find out that a lot of teachers mistrusted the administration and mistrusted how they went  about trying to create equity. Part of their mistrust was rooted in feeling like the school was trying to play numbers games and showcasing data that didn’t match what they were seeing on the ground  

Teachers  would say "of course, it's easy to go to the school board and have a big meeting about  how we've gotten so much better at discipline because you told us not  to write referrals .  That's not meaningful change. That's cosmetics." In my book , I try to explain where  both teachers and administrators are  coming from when they express these views.

Do  you think the issues you saw at this high school reflect larger issues  going on within education? 

I do. The rise of  accountability policies for more and more aspects of schooling is a nationwide phenomenon. It’s not just test scores anymore. And so, this creates a new context for administrators and is likely to shape the problems they see and notice  across a number of new domains.  The kinds of accountability policies I'm describing are widespread. 

Simone  Ispa-Landa is associate professor of Human Development and  Social Policy, associate professor of sociology, and an IPR fellow.  

Photo credit: iStock

Published: April 18, 2024.

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TCNJ offers summer pre-college programs for high school students

pre-college programs

Want to give your student an edge on their studies this summer? Check out TCNJ’s programs for high-achieving high schoolers looking to explore careers in an intellectually stimulating environment. Experience learning on a beautiful college campus with peers interested in academic and community challenges.

Summer 2024 offerings include:

Design and Creative Technology Academy

June 23–28 Residential or non-residential Program Website | Register

Calling all aspiring designers, innovators, and music producers. This camp offers four dynamic paths:

  • 1) Game Design for Everyone will challenge participants of all skill levels to design, program, and refine one small videogame. The academy will teach game design fundamentals, programming techniques, and play-based techniques.
  • 2) Graphic Design will explore the field of visual communication. Using Adobe Creative Suite on Apple computers in our state-of-the-art labs, participants will create projects in both print and digital media. Lessons will cover typography, image-making, historical trends, and multimedia design. 
  • 3) Digital Fabrication will introduce participants to the creative possibilities of a makerspace, teaching them about a broad range of activities including product design, physical computing, interaction design, and rapid prototyping. Students will create 2D and 3D shapes using industry-standard machines, software, and materials. 
  • 4) Music Technology will allow students to explore creative ideas in music composition and audio production. Participants will create their own songs, learn to make beats, and produce signature tracks that can be shared afterward.

This academy runs from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

Audience: High school students (rising 9th grade through graduating seniors) with an interest in game design, graphic design, digital fabrication, or music technology.

Cost: $1,200 (residential) or $800 (non-residential)

Future Music Educators Institute

Take daily classes, electives, and masterclasses taught by TCNJ’s esteemed music faculty and leading professionals, including Emmy-award-winning and Grammy-nominated composer Jake Runestad, nationally recognized composer and conductor Rollo Dilworth, and Broadway and YouTube star Natalie Weiss. The institute runs from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

Audience: High school vocal or instrumental students (rising 9th grade through graduating seniors) interested in becoming a music teacher or conductor

Camp Innovate and Investigate

July 15–19 Non-residential only Program Website | Apply

An electrifying week packed with hands-on experiments, mind-boggling puzzles, and cutting-edge discoveries at the intersection of math, physics, computer science, biology, and chemistry. Campers will experience science firsthand with activities designed to spark curiosity and ignite passion. Participants will explore design thinking and create innovative solutions to problems. They’ll also have the opportunity to hear from industry experts, tour state-of-the-art facilities, and preview the latest groundbreaking research. This program runs from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. daily, with an extended day option (8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.) available for a nominal charge.

Audience: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in the sciences.

Cost: Free, though costs may be associated with outside activities and if campers extend their day.

Engineering in Health and Medicine Summer Camp

July 21-26 Residential only Program Website | Join the Waitlist *

Explore the diverse field of biomedical engineering through hands-on and design activities using the state‐of‐the‐art biomedical engineering laboratories and design facilities in TCNJ’s STEM Building. Projects ranging from medical imaging to drug delivery, from medical device design to neural engineering, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to meet biomedical engineers working in the medical device industry. 

Audience: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who rank in the top 30% of their class and have an interest in engineering or medicine. 

Cost: $1,850. This fee covers tuition, educational materials, room & board, and entertainment expenses. There is also a non-refundable $39 application fee.  

*Due to an overwhelming number of applications, we are only accepting waitlist requests at this time .

Artificial Intelligence and Wireless Communications Camp

July 28–August 2 Residential only Program Website | Apply

During this week-long residential camp, participants will explore the realms of electrical and computer engineering. Students will delve into the development of intelligent handwriting and facial recognition hardware and software, as well as microstrip antennas — an integral component of contemporary wireless communication.

Audience: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who exhibit a passion for science, math, engineering, artificial intelligence, and/or wireless communications.

Cost: $2,000. This fee covers tuition, room and board, social and entertainment expenses, as well as hardware and laboratory kits required for the camp. Each student will be given an engineering experimentation kit with a value of $100/person for later home-use. There is also a non-refundable $40 application fee.  

Summer Field School in Archaeology 

August 5–19 Non-Residential Only* Program Website | Register (see below)

Participants in this intensive, two-week field school will learn and apply the basic procedures and techniques used in archaeological excavation and recording. These include surveying, mapping, field walking, photography, and excavation, as well as post-excavation analysis and curation of artifacts. Participants will get hands-on experience digging at a real archaeological site on TCNJ’s campus. This field school is being offered for college credit through TCNJ’s summer session (Course: ANT363 Archaeological Field Methods). The class meets M – Sa, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Audience: Students of all ages, from high school to graduate school.

Cost: $2,171.32

To Register: High School students may register by emailing TCNJ’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology at [email protected] . (Current TCNJ students should enroll through their PAWS account . Visiting college and graduate students can find registration information on the Summer Programs website .) 

*Non-residential only for participating high school students. There is a residential option available for college and graduate students. See the Summer Programs website for more information.

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What federal education data shows about students with disabilities in the U.S.

Public K-12 schools in the United States educate about 7.3 million students with disabilities – a number that has grown over the last few decades. Disabled students ages 3 to 21 are served under the federal  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) , which guarantees them the right to free public education and appropriate special education services.

For Disability Pride Month , here are some key facts about public school students with disabilities, based on the latest data from the  National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) .

July is both Disability Pride Month and the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To mark these occasions, Pew Research Center used federal education data from  the National Center for Education Statistics  to learn more about students who receive special education services in U.S. public schools.

In this analysis, students with disabilities include those ages 3 to 21 who are served under the federal  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) . Through IDEA, children with disabilities are guaranteed a “free appropriate public education,” including special education and related services.

The 7.3 million disabled students in the U.S. made up 15% of national public school enrollment during the 2021-22 school year. The population of students in prekindergarten through 12th grade who are served under IDEA has grown in both number and share over the last few decades. During the 2010-11 school year, for instance, there were 6.4 million students with disabilities in U.S. public schools, accounting for 13% of enrollment.

The number of students receiving special education services temporarily dropped during the coronavirus pandemic – the first decline in a decade. Between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, the number of students receiving special education services decreased by 1%, from 7.3 million to 7.2 million. This was the first year-over-year drop in special education enrollment since 2011-12.

A line chart showing that fewer U.S. children received special education services in first full school year of COVID-19 pandemic.

The decline in students receiving special education services was part of a 3% decline in the overall number of students enrolled in public schools between 2019-20 and 2020-21. While special education enrollment bounced back to pre-pandemic levels in the 2021-22 school year, overall public school enrollment remained flat.

These enrollment trends may reflect some of the learning difficulties and health concerns students with disabilities and their families faced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic , which limited or paused special education services in many school districts.

Many school districts struggle to hire special education professionals. During the 2020-21 school year, 40% of public schools that had a special education teaching vacancy reported that they either found it very difficult to fill the position or were not able to do so.

Foreign languages (43%) and physical sciences (37%) were the only subjects with similarly large shares of hard-to-fill teaching vacancies at public schools that were looking to hire in those fields.

While the COVID-19 pandemic called attention to a nationwide teacher shortage , special education positions have long been among the most difficult for school districts to fill .

The most common type of disability for students in prekindergarten through 12th grade involves “specific learning disabilities,” such as dyslexia.  In 2021-22, about a third of students (32%) receiving services under IDEA had a specific learning disability. Some 19% had a speech or language impairment, while 15% had a chronic or acute health problem that adversely affected their educational performance. Chronic or acute health problems include ailments such as heart conditions, asthma, sickle cell anemia, epilepsy, leukemia and diabetes.

A chart showing that about a third of disabled U.S. students have a 'specific learning disability,' such as dyslexia.

Students with autism made up 12% of the nation’s schoolchildren with disabilities in 2021-22, compared with 1.5% in 2000-01.  During those two decades, the share of disabled students with a specific learning disability, such as dyslexia, declined from 45% to 32%.

The percentage of students receiving special education services varies widely across states. New York serves the largest share of disabled students in the country at 20.5% of its overall public school enrollment. Pennsylvania (20.2%), Maine (20.1%) and Massachusetts (19.3%) serve the next-largest shares. The states serving the lowest shares of disabled students include Texas and Idaho (both 11.7%) and Hawaii (11.3%).

A map showing that New York, Pennsylvania and Maine public schools serve the highest percentages of students with disabilities.

Between the 2000-01 and 2021-22 school years, all but 12 states experienced growth in their disabled student populations. The biggest increase occurred in Utah, where the disabled student population rose by 65%. Rhode Island saw the largest decline of 22%.

These differences by state are likely the result of inconsistencies in how states determine which students are eligible for special education services and challenges in identifying disabled children.

A cartogram that shows between the 2000-01 and 2021-22 school years, most states saw growth in population of students with disabilities.

The racial and ethnic makeup of the nation’s special education students is similar to public school students overall, but there are differences by sex.  About two-thirds of disabled students (65%) are male, while 34% are female, according to data from the 2021-22 school year. Overall student enrollment is about evenly split between boys and girls.

A dot plot showing that U.S. special education students tend to be male.

Research has shown that decisions about whether to recommend a student for special education may be influenced by their school’s socioeconomic makeup, as well as by the school’s test scores and other academic markers.

Note: This is an update of a post originally published April 23, 2020.

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About 1 in 4 U.S. teachers say their school went into a gun-related lockdown in the last school year

About half of americans say public k-12 education is going in the wrong direction, what public k-12 teachers want americans to know about teaching, what’s it like to be a teacher in america today, race and lgbtq issues in k-12 schools, most popular.

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A Classical & Christ-Centered Education

Secondary Curriculum

Secondary Curriculum

The secondary school is divided into two stages… grades 7-8 (the Logic Stage) and grades 9-12 (the Rhetoric Stage).

In grades 7-8, the students take the mastered information from the Grammar Stage and bring it into ordered relationships. Students begin to apply logic, assessing the validity of arguments and learning to view information critically with more discerning minds.

In grades 9-12, students learn to articulate eloquently and persuasively, and to use the tools of knowledge and understanding acquired in the earlier stages. This is the point at which the strength of a classical education is made fully visible.

Click here for an overview of the Logos School secondary curriculum.

Click for our 2-page School Profile

The Knight’s Creed and Commitment

Class Schedules

Fall 2023 Finals Schedule    7th-12th grades only.

23-24 Fall Class Schedule     7th-12th grades only.

Senior Course Options: 

By the time students reach their senior year in high school, they have usually developed interests in specific areas. Therefore, they will be given the opportunity to pursue those areas through the following senior course options. These options are designed to allow students the opportunity to learn one or two subjects well. As Dorothy Sayers says, “Whatever is mere apparatus may now be allowed to fall into the background, while the trained mind is gradually prepared for specialization in the “subjects” which, when the Trivium is completed, it should be perfectly well equipped to tackle on its own.” (from The Lost Tools of Learning) These options should aid the transition from the completion of the Trivium to the more specialized study that is a part of a college or university education.

Option 1: College or Online Class

This is a 1 credit option in which a student enrolls in a college or online class. Approved subjects include math, science, theology, humanities, and fine arts. The class must be taken for credit and the student must submit a transcript to receive credit toward Logos graduation. Areas of study that do not qualify are recreational classes and/or self-guided courses with little accountability.

Option 2: Internship

The internship is a 1/2 credit option intended to provide seniors with the opportunity to study a career. Students must work a minimum of 2 hours per week on their internship. A variety of internships have been approved in the past (interning with an elementary or secondary Logos teacher, riding along with police officers, observing at a local vet clinic, etc.). Students are not allowed to be paid for the time they spend as an intern. Parents are responsible to provide oversight and any necessary supervision or screening (background checks, etc.) for this experience.

Procedures for Both Options

1. At least two weeks before the beginning of each semester, students must submit a written proposal to the principal, via email. Late proposals will not be considered. Proposals must describe the following:

a. the main purpose of and goals for the program

b. the work that the student will be doing weekly to achieve these goals (include the website link for online classes)

c. the number of hours per week that the student will be participating in the program

2. Students have two days to resubmit proposals that have been denied.

Guidelines for Both Options

1. Credit will not be granted for work completed before a proposal is approved.

2. Students will receive a grade of E, S, or U at the end of each quarter and semester.

3. Failure to make satisfactory progress in the first semester will disqualify the student from participating in these programs during the second semester.

4. Students may only request approval for one semester at a time.

College Planning Handbook

This link contains detailed information on preparing for college.

Dialectic Speech Meet

The following is information for the Dialectic Speech Meet for the 7 th -9 th grade students. Most of the work and grading is done during English class. For the final meet onwards, the students will perform their pieces with students from other classes in the same category. That afternoon during 7 th period there will be an assembly to hear the top performances from each category.

  • Mid-December – information goes home
  • Mid-January – Selections are due
  • Toward the end of January – Piece is presented for a grade
  • Beginning of February – Speech Meet

Dialectic Speech Meet Guidelines Dialectic Speech Meet Judge’s Form Dialectic Speech Meet Selection Ideas

Rhetoric Speech Meet

The following is information for the upcoming Rhetoric Speech Meet for the 10 th -12 th grade students. Please note a few differences between the Dialectic Speech Meet of the 7 th -9 th graders and the Rhetoric Speech Meet:

  • Poetry must be through the Poetry Out Loud program.
  • Readers Theater and the Original Oratory categories are allowed.
  • Children’s books and plays are allowed as sources for material.
  • There is no memory check. Pieces will be presented once in class for a grade, and once at the meet for a test grade.
  • Mid-September – Information goes home.
  • Beginning of October – Selections are due.
  • Mid-October – The piece is presented for a memory grade.
  • Beginning of November– Speech Meet

Guidelines Judging Form Selection Ideas

COMMENTS

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    The High School Research Program (HSRP) is a highly competitive six-week educational program for students interested in pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies. Program Overview. The HSRP program provides selected students access to a real-world scientific community and research experience that includes:

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    Welcome! The Simons Summer Research Program gives academically talented, motivated high school students the opportunity to engage in hands-on research in science, math or engineering at Stony Brook University.Simons Fellows work with distinguished faculty mentors, learn laboratory techniques and tools, become part of active research teams, and experience life at a research university.

  19. High School Research

    High School Research. Advanced high school math students interested in research and mathematics can undertake research projects during the academic year as well as the summer. The two programs available to high school students are: RSI - Research Science Institute. PRIMES - Program for Research In Mathematics, Engineering, and Science. Please ...

  20. Virtual Summer Research Experience For High School Students

    Join us for an immersive six-week virtual summer research program focused on quantitative finance, where students delve into the fascinating world of financial analysis and data-driven decision-making. This program is designed for high school students with an interest in finance, aiming to equip ...

  21. UPWARDS Summer Program

    The MD Anderson UPWARDS High School Summer Research Training Program will support up 10 high school trainees per year. Eligibility. All applicants must be a local high school student (incoming senior for the fall of 2024 and 18 years or older by June 3, 2024) who identifies as economically disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged, with disabilities, or a first-generation student.

  22. Education & Internship Opportunities

    Learn from scientific research staff through virtual classroom visits or experience STEM hands-on at the Traveling Science Fair! High School. Participate in science competitions, summer workshops, science camps, and more! ... up to 1,200 university and high school students participate in ORNL programs each year.

  23. Internships

    The High School Business Intern program allows students to work closely with experienced PNNL business professionals, while students in the High School Research Intern program receive mentorship in a laboratory setting from PNNL scientists and engineers. PNNL offers elective credits for these internships through work-based learning programs at ...

  24. Studying the High School Experience: Institute for Policy Research

    High school is a crucial institution shaping students' life trajectories, but how does attending a large, diverse school affect that experience? In a forthcoming book, IPR sociologist Simone Ispa-Landa explores how students experience life at a multi-racial suburban school and the way school administrators manage public pressure to reduce ...

  25. TCNJ offers summer pre-college programs for high school students

    Audience: High school students (rising 9th grade through graduating seniors) with an interest in game design, graphic design, digital fabrication, ... and preview the latest groundbreaking research. This program runs from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. daily, with an extended day option (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) available for a nominal charge. ...

  26. Alla KHOLMOGOROVA

    Alla does research in Health Psychology and Clinical Psychology. ... The sample consisted of 72 high school students of a secondary comprehensive school in Moscow aged 15 to 17 years (M=16), inclu ...

  27. Slavic & Eurasian Studies

    Courses offered through the Slavic and Eurasian Studies program lay a firm foundation for postgraduate study in diverse fields or for various professional occupations. A minor in Russian is available. In addition to traditional careers in secondary-school and university-level education, students find employment in business, the media, banking ...

  28. Key facts about US students with disabilities ...

    The racial and ethnic makeup of the nation's special education students is similar to public school students overall, but there are differences by sex. About two-thirds of disabled students (65%) are male, while 34% are female, according to data from the 2021-22 school year. Overall student enrollment is about evenly split between boys and girls.

  29. RLCD Programs: 2023

    Date Program Tuesday October 10, 2023 12:40 - 2:00 PM Via Zoom NSF EPSCoR RII Track 2 - Internal Competition: Information Session. Audience: Faculty, Postdocs, Other Researchers ---- All UNH campuses NSF's RII Track-2 FEC seeks to build nationally and internationally competitive collaborative teams of EPSCoR investigators by providing a mechanism to coalesce investigator expertise into a ...

  30. Secondary Curriculum

    The secondary school is divided into two stages… grades 7-8 (the Logic Stage) and grades 9-12 (the Rhetoric Stage). In grades 7-8, the students take the mastered information from the Grammar Stage and bring it into ordered relationships. Students begin to apply logic, assessing the validity of arguments and learning to view information ...