High School Research Opportunities for Students and How to Start a Research Project
Conducting a research project in high school is an excellent way to contribute to the career you’re interested in while gaining writing skills that are essential for college.
Trying to start high school research as a student can be challenging. Luckily, there are several opportunities out there that provide students with fundamental support and allow them to pursue their interests alongside a mentor.
High School Research Opportunities
INSPIRIT AI SCHOLARS
Location: Live online
Eligibility: High school students
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
AI+X 1:1 MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Location: Live online
Eligibility: High school students with prior coding experience
The AI+X 1:1 Independent Mentorship program offered at Inspirit AI is an excellent way to start researching a field of your passion!
This program is primarily offered to those that have completed the AI Scholars program, which enables students to create a socially impactful project and explore the intersection between artificial intelligence and multi-disciplinary fields.
The AI+X 1:1 Mentorship allows high school students to receive one-on-one instruction from mentors as they connect artificial intelligence to real-world problems and create a project centered around machine learning. Research can be displayed in science fairs or even published in academic journals!
TEXAS TECH’S ANSON L. CLARK SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Location: Lubbock, TX
Eligibility: 17 year old high school juniors and seniors
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is an academic research program at Texas Tech University. It is a highly competitive and prestigious program designed to attract and support outstanding students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to service.
ASPIRING SCIENTISTS SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Location: In-person or remote
Eligibility: At least 15 years of age
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University is a highly regarded and competitive program designed to provide high school and undergraduate students with hands-on research experience in various scientific disciplines. ASSIP offers an immersive summer internship opportunity for students interested in STEM fields as they work alongside university professors.
RESEARCH SCIENCE INSTITUTE
Location: Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: High school juniors
The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a highly competitive and prestigious summer research program for high school students. It is organized by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The RSI program provides students with an intensive and immersive research experience in various scientific disciplines.
SUMMER SCIENCE PROGRAM
Location: In-person, varies
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores
The Summer Science Program (SSP) is a prestigious and highly regarded residential summer program for high school students interested in pursuing scientific research and STEM fields. Founded in 1959, the program provides a unique and immersive experience in which students work on challenging research projects under the guidance of experienced faculty members.
STONY BROOK SIMONS SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Eligibility: 16 year old high school juniors
The Simons Summer Research Program is a competitive summer internship program designed for high school students interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program is hosted by the Simons Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to advancing research in mathematics and the sciences.
HIGH SCHOOL RESEARCH ACADEMY AT UT AUSTIN
Location: Austin, TX
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The High School Research Academy (HSRA) at the University of Texas at Austin is an immersive research program designed for high school students who have a passion for scientific exploration and wish to engage in cutting-edge research in various disciplines as they work with undergraduate research groups. Students can conduct research concerning the fields of biochemistry, biology, environmental science, genetics, neuroscience, genome engineering, data analytics, ecology, and more.
APPLIED RESEARCH INNOVATIONS IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Location: New York, New York
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in New York City
The Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program is a highly regarded summer research internship program offered by the School of Engineering and Applied Science at New York University. It is specifically designed for motivated and talented high school students interested in pursuing careers in various STEM fields, from civil engineering to robotics.
NASA’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER INTERNSHIPS
Location: In-person, varies
Eligibility: 16 year old current sophomores, juniors, and seniors
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) offers a variety of internship opportunities for students interested in gaining hands-on experience in space-related research and engineering. These internships provide valuable insights into NASA's missions and projects while allowing students to work alongside scientists, engineers, and other professionals at one of NASA's leading research centers.
STUDENT HISTORIAN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Location: New York, New York
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Student Historian Internship Program is an educational initiative offered by the New-York Historical Society, a renowned museum and research center dedicated to American history and art. The program provides high school students with the opportunity to develop their skills as researchers through hands-on experiences and mentorships as they complete research in any academic discipline.
Tips on Starting Independent Research
If none of these programs seemed to catch your interest, don’t be discouraged! A variety of high school research opportunities can be found online, through universities, or even in your local community!
Meanwhile, here are some additional tips on how you can get started with your own research as a high school student!
CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC
Select a subject that you are genuinely interested in. Consider its relevance to preexisting knowledge in the field, the discipline that it falls under, and its feasibility.
REFINE YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION
Develop a specific research question that aligns with your chosen topic. Ensure that it is focused to the point where you can answer your research question through the data collected.
CONDUCT A LITERATURE REVIEW
Gather information from existing research and publications related to your topic. Pull sources from books, scholarly articles, and academic journals to understand the knowledge and theories that have already been established in the field.
DEVELOP A RESEARCH PLAN
Create a detailed plan outlining the steps, timeline, and resources required for your research. Break down the tasks into smaller, manageable portions to stay organized and on track.
OBTAIN NECESSARY APPROVALS
If your research involves human subjects, animal experimentation, or potentially sensitive areas, seek appropriate approvals. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an ethics committee that has approved research projects published in several reputable academic journals.
COLLECT DATA
Depending on your research question, choose an appropriate method to collect data that answers your research question. To do this, start by determining whether your research would best be answered through qualitative or quantitative information. Some examples of research methods are surveys, interviews, and content analysis.
ANALYZE DATA
Organize and analyze the data collected. Use statistical tools, qualitative coding softwares, or your own methods to derive meaningful insights and draw conclusions. Seek guidance if you are unfamiliar with data analysis methods.
INTERPRET RESULTS
Based on your analysis, interpret findings and assess their significance. Analyze the implications and limitations of your results and how they contribute to future directions for research in the existing body of knowledge.
COMMUNICATE YOUR RESEARCH
Present your findings through a research paper, presentation, or any other suitable format. Clearly explain and justify your research methodology, data analysis, results, and conclusions. Use visual aids, such as graphs or tables, to enhance the reader’s understanding of your findings.
SEEK FEEDBACK AND REVISIONS
Share your work with teachers, mentors, or experts in the field for feedback. Consider their suggestions and revise your research accordingly to improve its credibility and ethicality.
REFLECT ON THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Take time to reflect on your research journey. Evaluate the challenges you faced, the skills you developed, and the knowledge you gained. Consider how you can further build on your research in the future and seek opportunities to publish your work!
Remember, this information is only a guide – to conduct credible research, it is always useful to get assistance from mentors or professionals in your chosen field!
Main Takeaways
In conclusion, embarking on a research project during high school can have tremendous benefits for students. Not only does it allow them to explore their interests and contribute to their chosen career path, but it also cultivates essential skills that will be useful for the future!
Whether it's one of the esteemed programs at a prestigious university or independent research conducted with a mentor in your area, each research opportunity offers unique experiences.
Undertaking research in high school not only builds a strong foundation for future academic and professional endeavors, but it also fosters a lifelong passion for learning. So, consider these opportunities when starting your journey of discovery!
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
