Exploring Science at the Harvard Science Research Conference
The Harvard Science Research Conference (HSRC), held at Harvard University and organized by its students and staff, is an annual research conference for high school students who have demonstrated a passion for the natural and applied sciences.
Through the Harvard Science Research Conference, you will be treated to a series of speakers, workshops, and mentoring sessions to deepen your understanding of science and solidify your college and career goals. HSRC organizers are committed to providing access to Harvard’s resources, building useful and translatable skills, educating about ongoing problems in scientific research, and developing relationships between the Harvard community and young scholars.
If this conference is for you, read on to learn more about the Harvard Science Research Conference and how to make the most of this opportunity.
An Overview of the Harvard Science Research Conference
The Harvard Science Research Conference has four components: faculty keynotes, growth, workshops, and mentorships. Each of these aims to deepen your understanding of ongoing problems in the sciences, build creative inquiry and public speaking skills, and help you form lasting connections with Harvard students and faculty.
Keynotes
Participants in the Harvard Science Research Conference will have the opportunity to hear from Harvard faculty about their ongoing work in natural and applied science, exposing students to research intended to excite, motivate, and inspire. This will also allow students to connect with Harvard faculty and students working on cutting-edge research.
Previous keynote speakers have included:
Dr. Donald Ingber, a Founding Director of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering developing new technologies to improve medical care and sustainability
Dr. Joan Reede, Harvard Medical School’s (HMS) dean for diversity and community partnership, developing and managing programs to promote the increased recruitment, retention, and advancement of underrepresented minority faculty at HMS
Dr. Xuanhe Zhao, a professor of mechanical engineering and civil and environmental engineering at MIT, harnessing the power of biotechnology, materials, and mechanics to address pressing health and sustainability challenges
Dr. Hongkun Park, the Mark Hyman Jr. Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Physics at Harvard investigating atom-sized defects in solids and nanostructures in order to develop optoelectronic and plasmonic devices at the single quantum level
Growth
The main drive of all students attending the Harvard Science Research Conference is a fundamental pursuit of knowledge. The conference prepares its students for a future in STEM by bringing them together with like-minded individuals. To emphasize the theme of bringing budding minds and established researchers together, HSRC has a one-day dialogue addressing the challenges and opportunities facing exceptional high school students in the sciences.
Workshops
Harvard Science Research Conference participants will attend a series of workshops led by Harvard students, researchers, and teachers. These workshops will focus on easily translatable skills in research, public speaking, and scientific writing rather than specific facts.
Mentorship
Harvard Science Research Conference participants will receive intimate mentoring from Harvard students on topics ranging from resume writing to public speaking to conducting research, and advice about applying to colleges and navigating high school careers. It is also an excellent opportunity to form friendships and connections in the field.
Applying to the Harvard Science Research Conference
You can apply to the Harvard Science Research Conference here, with the option to attend in person or virtually. If attending virtually, you will listen to and interact with keynote speakers, attend the opening and closing ceremonies, access social spaces, and ask questions during panels. If attending in person, you will have access to all of these and the ability to network with other participants, talk with speakers in a meet-and-greet, and participate in workshops.
The application process for the Harvard Science Research Conference is competitive but not prohibitive. The application's main purpose is to identify students who participate in science extracurricular activities, are willing to learn, and have a strong passion for the sciences. All you need is a sincere passion for science, and, notably, you do not need any prior research experience and will not be disadvantaged in your application without it.
It is important to note that there are fees to attend the Harvard Science Research Conference – a $20 fee to attend virtually and a $130 fee to attend in person. If this cost is prohibitive, feel free to reach out to programming@hcura.org to inquire about fee waivers.
Last Notes About the Harvard Science Research Conference
The Harvard Science Research Conference is an excellent way to integrate yourself into the community as a young scientist. To make the most of your experiences:
Be Willing to Learn
Not only will there be panels from world-class researchers at the Harvard Science Research Conference, but there will also be discussions of ‘soft’ skills like leadership and public speaking. This may not capture your attention like a talk on bioengineering, but soft skills are incredibly useful! The earlier you learn them, the earlier you start reaping the rewards.
Network!
More than anything, the Harvard Science Research Conference is a chance to network, so don’t let yourself spend the entire conference in the back of the room. Talk to the speakers and students. Building these connections could lead to valuable friendships, advice, or even recommendation letters!
Choose the Option That Works for You
Choosing the online/in-person option that works for you is critical for making the most of this experience. If networking is important to you, you might more easily build connections in person. If the Harvard Science Research Conference’s cost is prohibitive, it might be easier to attend virtually since students are responsible for transportation/housing. Do what works for you!
If you are interested in applying to the Harvard Science Research Conference, consider applying to the 1:1 Mentorship Program at InspiritAI! Research experience is a great way to demonstrate and engage your passion for STEM, and our mentors – hailing from the world's top research institutions and tech companies – will walk you through an entire research project from start to end. Whether you are a coding novice or a virtuoso, our individualized mentorship program will help you develop an exceptional AI-focused research project. For more information, do not hesitate to contact InspiritAI with questions.
