Research Opportunities Database for High School Students
A comprehensive guide to research opportunities and science competitions available for high school students across the US. We've compiled a detailed list of research opportunities by region, subject and institution below!
What research opportunity are you looking for?
Wharton Global Youth Program
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The Wharton Global Youth Program (WGYP) provides a range of programs designed to help high school students explore the fields of business and leadership, and prepare for college. Their on-campus programs, such as Leadership in the Business World and the Management & Technology Summer Institute, offer immersive experiences where students learn from Wharton faculty and engage in hands-on, interactive curricula. These programs cover various topics including product design, entrepreneurship, data science, and more. They are highly selective and offer opportunities for college credit. Additionally, WGYP offers online courses and hosts an Investment Competition that is free of cost. These programs provide students with valuable insights into the world of business, leadership, and finance, and help them develop important skills for their future academic and professional endeavors.
Introduction to Investments Summer Institute
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The three-week program offers students an opportunity to earn college credit while exploring potential career paths in investing and developing skills to create a personal financial plan. The program is conducted by a top-ranked economics department and provides a strong financial literacy foundation. Students will learn essential concepts related to money, banking, and personal investment decisions, even without any prior economics or math background
CalTech’s Summer Tech Camp
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To participate in these coding camps, applicants must fall within the age range of 13-18 years. Each course within the camps has specific experience level requirements, and applicants must meet those criteria accordingly. These camps are specifically designed to provide students with an opportunity to delve into their interests in computer science. The courses offered cover a range of programming languages, including Python, C++, and more, as well as game development. The main objective of these camps is to emphasize the diverse applications of computer science in both business and core technology fields.
CTY Honors Biology
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You will learn complex biological concepts using a dynamic online environment as you cover high school honors biology topics and build a solid foundation for the study of AP® Biology. You will explore the structures, functions, and processes of living organisms and their interactions with the environment; other major themes include cell structure and specialization, energy and chemistry of life, genetics and evolution, diversity of life, plant systems, and ecology. You will reinforce course material through interactive web-based lectures, applications, and hands-on inquiry-based laboratory investigations. Your knowledge will be assessed through quizzes, tests, lab reports, interactive discussion forums and case studies. You can schedule one-on-one virtual meetings directly with your instructor to answer questions throughout the course.
Foundation for Free Enterprise Education’s Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW)
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The Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, a non-profit organization, offers a week-long residential program that provides students with a unique opportunity to experience running a business. In this program, participants work in teams of 16, guided by an adult mentor, and take charge of an underperforming manufacturing company. The teams compete against each other to achieve the highest return on equity by managing various departments such as marketing, finance, and HR. This immersive program provides practical experience in business operations and offers valuable insights into the challenges and strategies involved in running a company. Financial assistance is available for the registration fee, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds can participate in this enriching experience.
Georgetown Pre-College Online Courses
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Are you considering a career in entrepreneurship, investing, or international relations? Georgetown University provides pre-college online courses for high school students who are at least 13 years old. These courses include engaging video lessons taught by distinguished Georgetown professors and the chance to connect with mentors. The great part about this program is that it's available year-round, so if you feel that schoolwork is a bit light you can do it during the school year while pursuing something else during the summer. The application process is also very straightforward, with no transcripts or letters of rec required.
Georgetown Summer High School Science and Medical Program
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The 1-Week Medical Academy introduces you to the field of medicine and gives you a glimpse into the Georgetown University Medical Center, which includes the nationally ranked School of Medicine and School of Nursing & Health Studies, in addition to the world-renowned Lombardi Cancer Center. You'll explore topics ranging from human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and infectious diseases to surgery, cancer, and biomedical ethics. You’ll participate in hands-on labs, use a patient simulator, and focus on some of today's pressing medical issues like COVID-19, preventative medicine, heart disease, and HIV.
Harvard Summer School's Secondary School Program
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The Secondary School program offered by Harvard Summer School provides students with an opportunity to delve deeper into their passions or subjects of interest that go beyond the curriculum offered in high schools. The program's rigorous academic environment ensures that students can explore their interests more comprehensively, potentially shaping their future career paths. Spanning seven weeks, this educational program allows high school students to gain a firsthand experience of Harvard by enrolling in college courses alongside both college and high school peers, earning credits in the process. In addition to the academic aspect, students also have the chance to interact with diverse peer groups, learning how to balance their academic pursuits with extracurricular activities and networking opportunities. Some of the programs available include Environmental Science, Introduction to Political Philosophy, The Psychology of Cults, and Introduction to Statistics and Applied Data Analysis.
Harvard’s College Program
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Harvard University's College program offers several computer science courses, and among them, the "Mathematical Elements of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence" course is highly recommended for those interested in AI. This course provides a comprehensive survey of the mathematical principles used in contemporary data science algorithms. It builds upon foundational topics such as single-variable calculus, three-dimensional geometry, and elementary statistics. In addition to theoretical concepts, the course also includes a computational component where students engage in Python programming and complete a final project involving coding and data analysis. This course equips students with the mathematical and computational skills necessary to excel in the field of AI.
Harvard’s College Programs for High School Students
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Eligible applicants for these programs must be anticipated to graduate from high school and intend to enroll in college in 2024 or 2025. They must also be at least 16 years old by June 17, 2023, and should not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2023. Students have the option to select from two program types: a 2-week, non-credit pre-college program or a 7-week, college credit secondary school program. The programs offer various courses, including "Introduction to Data Science with a Focus on Visualization" and "Introduction to Scientific Programming in Python," among others.
What is a Research Project?
A research project is a structured and systematic investigation into specific topic or question. It involves a series of planned activities. Research projects often require students to formulate hypotheses, conduct experiments, surveys, or literature reviews, and present their findings in a clear and organized manner. These projects foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deeper appreciation for the research process. They provide students with valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to contribute to their field of interest while enhancing their academic and personal growth.
Why do a research project as a high school student?
Research projects can play a pivotal role in shaping the academic journey and future prospects of high school students. Engaging in research while still in school not only helps students discover their passions but also significantly enhances their chances of successful college admissions.
Exploring research projects allows high school students to delve into various fields of study, providing them with a firsthand experience of what truly interests them. This hands-on exposure aids in identifying their passions and helps them make informed decisions when selecting a college major or career path. It's a crucial step in personal and academic development.
Moreover, active participation in research demonstrates dedication, curiosity, and a willingness to go beyond the standard curriculum, qualities highly valued by college admissions committees. Admissions officers are often impressed by applicants who have shown initiative and a genuine interest in learning through research experiences. These opportunities can set students apart from their peers and greatly improve their chances of gaining admission to their dream colleges.
Ready to start your own research project?
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We're so excited that you're interested in pursuing a path in research. Polygence is an online research academy dedicated to democratizing access to research opportunities for high school students. Whether you are interested in quantitative biology, fashion history, or privacy law, expert Polygence mentors will help you explore your area of interest.