Research Opportunities for High School Students
When you think of research, you might imagine a scientist in a lab coat surrounded by beakers, microscopes, and other important-looking people. However, research happens in a variety of settings, and research opportunities are more accessible than you might think. There are plenty of research opportunities for high school students interested in STEM, as well as those interested in business, marketing, or even history. Since research is simply diving into a question you think needs to be answered, research opportunities for high school students are endless.
While research may seem like a solitary act, there are plenty of research programs that can support you on your journey for knowledge and discovery. Having a mentor or peers with whom to share ideas or get feedback can greatly enhance your research experience. Many universities and independent organizations offer research opportunities—so let’s learn more about them.
What is a research opportunity?
Put simply, a research opportunity is the chance to study and analyze an area of interest in order to reach new conclusions. Research opportunities for high school students allow curious students to participate in a dedicated research project they’re passionate about. Typically, this is done outside of their normal studies.
There are plenty of ways to complete a research project. Three of the most common types are summer programs, internships, and virtual programs.
Summer research programs
These opportunities are often hosted by universities, either in-person or online. While admissions to some summer research programs are merit-based, the large part of summer research programs are open to any student who can pay the entrance fee. Many are focused on STEM research, however, there are certainly research opportunities for those interested in humanities, business, and other areas.
Internship programs
An internship-based research program is a great way to gain practical experience and skills in a field of your interest. You can take the internship up a notch by focusing on answering a certain question or delving into a certain area. You’ll be surrounded by professionals that can guide you in your exploration.
Virtual programs
Many research programs for high school students have now become available online. Specific virtual research programs are meant to cater to students with busy extracurricular or academic schedules, or those that simply can’t make it to an in-person program. The flexibility of a virtual program is a huge benefit. Keep in mind that you won’t have as much peer interaction as you might in an in-person summer program. However, you could still have the attention of an experienced mentor or expert in your area of interest.
What personal benefits can you gain from research?
Intellectual curiosity is a wonderful thing. Finding research opportunities that allow you to explore your interests, passions, and curiosities will certainly benefit you in the long run.
Personal benefits of research programs for high school students
Enhance your critical thinking skills.
This is one of the most important skills for your academic, professional, and personal life. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply information. By doing so, you’ll make more logical decisions and take more thoughtful actions. This skill is essential to research as it involves questioning and challenging information based on facts and observations.
Gain and share new knowledge.
Not only will you dive into researching something that you’re interested in, but you’ll also contribute to its development. Certain research opportunities for high school students will even help you publish your work. If you go on to have a career in research, publishing your findings will play a huge role in developing your career. The knowledge you gain will expand your understanding of the field, and publishing means you can share the knowledge you’ve gained with others who are interested in the topic.
Grow your professional network.
Research programs for high school students will allow you to meet other like-minded peers, share knowledge, and make connections. Additionally, you’ll meet professionals and mentors that can expand your professional network. You never know where it could lead down the line—whether it creates a link to a new career opportunity or an avenue to publish your findings, having more professional contacts is always a bonus.
Boost your resume.
While research programs for high school students shouldn’t serve the sole purpose of enhancing your resume, they certainly do! Undertaking research opportunities will make you a more valuable applicant in the college admissions process, especially if you’re applying to competitive schools. Moreover, writing college essays about your meaningful, unique research project is an excellent way to stand out in your college applications. Just be sure to choose research opportunities in your areas of interest. Are you interested in studying culture and history? If so, look for opportunities that allow you to explore a question in that area.
Research Programs and Your College Applications
Research opportunities are an ideal setting for developing new skills and gaining knowledge—and, partaking in research programs for high school students will enhance your college applications. It is no surprise that research programs help students discover what they are passionate about in their field of study and what they are intellectually motivated to accomplish. It also shows they are able to think critically and solve problems. These are all skills and qualities that admissions officers want to see in applicants.
For students applying to competitive STEM schools, research programs are looked upon especially favorably. Science fields, more than others, often require students to do research, both in school and beyond. However, research can be a difficult thing to do. It’s time consuming, takes a lot of effort, requires resources, and the results can be unexpected. Basically, it may not be for everyone. If you have experience with research opportunities before heading into college, admissions officers will see that you are prepared and ready to tackle the research required in your undergrad degree.
Even if you aren’t planning to apply to a STEM program, research opportunities will still enhance your college applications. In fact, you’ll likely stand out more than a STEM applicant with similar research experience. As we’ve mentioned, research and the sciences go hand in hand. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the only field in which research happens. In reality, every field needs researchers. So, if you’re planning to study social sciences, business, fine arts, or another area, completing a research program is still incredibly valuable.
Where can I find research opportunities?
Completing a quick google search of “research programs for high school students” will give you plenty of possibilities. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean these programs will be the best. Later, we’ll look at how to identify quality research opportunities online. But for now, let’s look at where you can find these opportunities.
Courses or school curriculum
While you may jump straight ahead to finding the fanciest programs, you can actually complete a research project in one of your school’s courses. Many high schools offer research as a part of their curriculum. For example, completing a senior thesis is considered a research opportunity. However, if your school doesn’t have research opportunities in any of its courses, you might consider taking a college course at your local community college that’s open to high school students. If it works into your schedule, this is an excellent opportunity to gain not only research experience, but also college-level coursework experience.
University summer or year-long programs
Many universities offer research opportunities for high school students. While some of these programs are highly competitive, others are not. Merit-based programs look for the most qualified candidates, so prepare to make your application to these programs stand out! Program lengths will vary, so be sure to know what you can commit to.
For example, one Stanford summer research program, the AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp, is virtual and runs for two weeks. Alternatively, Stanford also offers educational seminars. These seminars encourage students to get excited about science and scientific research. And, a half-day or hour-long seminar is certainly less of a time commitment than another Stanford summer research program. A seminar could also spark an idea for an independent research project.
Independent research programs
There are many independent organizations offering research opportunities for high school students. These programs offer many benefits since they combine independent study and mentorship. Being able to explore any area, with the guidance of an experienced educator, is an enriching experience.
One organization offering research opportunities is Polygence. They offer participants a choice of various programs, however, every program allows students to research the topic of their choice, in any field. Expert mentors support students every step of the way, making sure they complete their project. Many students also go on to publish their findings in journals for middle and high school researchers.
Examples of Outstanding Research Opportunities
While we touched on just a couple of research opportunities, you might be wondering what exactly these programs offer. Below you’ll find three examples of outstanding research opportunities for high school students.
3 Outstanding Research Opportunities
MIT PRIMES
PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science for high school students) offers free research opportunities to qualified candidates interested in STEM fields. There are four sections offered to applicants. One section, MIT PRIMES, is a year-long, after-school program. In this program students will work on both group and individual research projects in mathematics. They’ll have the guidance of academic mentors, either graduate students or postdoctoral scholars.
MIT PRIMES is offered to students in the Greater Boston area. For those outside of Boston, there is PRIMES-USA. This is among the most elite research opportunities online. It’s a year-long program that offers remote mentoring for math research. It’s open to high school juniors and sophomores.
PRIMES is only one example of the many MIT research programs for high school students. You can check out all of MIT’s summer programs here. However, keep in mind only some of these programs are free.
Global Training Initiative
If you’re interested in research opportunities online, then NC State University offers an exceptional option. The Global Training Initiative is a 4-week program for high school students led by NC State faculty. Students will learn what it takes to complete a research project, mastering fundamental research methodology and procedure. At the end of the program, students will present their research project and findings to their peers.
The Global Training Initiative offers three different research topics: Drone Deliver for Retail: Assessing, Analyzing, & Predictive Modeling, Digital Communication Strategies & Consumer Data Analysis, and Visualization in Engineering. While students are restricted to choosing one of these three topics, the academic fields in which they fall are varied—it’s not a program solely for STEM students.
Polygence
Another excellent option for high schoolers looking for research opportunities online, Polygence offers students three different program options. In a Polygence program, students will research any topic they choose, allowing them the freedom and creativity to craft their very own research projects. Are you interested in exploring the origin of street art in L.A.? Well, you absolutely could at Polygence! Passion project ideas are welcome when joining a Polygence program.
Students will be matched with an expert mentor in their research project’s field. They’ll be guided as they complete research and produce an outcome, and the outcome is entirely up to you! Students have written research papers (and gotten them published!), created apps, built prototypes, and more. The Core Program is the most popular program and offers students 10 hour-long Zoom sessions with a mentor. Students will commit to working 3-5 hours a week on their research projects. The program is flexible, so depending on what you have going on, you could complete it in 3-6 months.
For students with passion project ideas, Polygence is an excellent option to gain research experience, enhance your resume, and gain valuable academic and life skills. Check out their programs to see which is right for you!
5 Tips for Identifying Quality Research Programs
As we’ve mentioned, there are many research opportunities online and in-person for high school students. But, how do you know these are quality research opportunities? Let’s look at some ways to identify valuable research programs for high school students.
5 Tips to Find Top Research Programs
1. Identify your interests.
The best research programs for you will vary based on your interests. While MIT has excellent research opportunities online and in-person, if you aren’t interested in STEM research, then they aren’t for you! Before investigating possible research programs, identify your areas of interest. Ideally, look for research opportunities that allow you to explore your passion project ideas—don’t settle for less!
2. Know your budget.
You’ll need to understand how much you and your family are able to invest before diving into a research project. Some research opportunities are free to qualifying students, while others are not. Knowing your financial limitations will allow you to find a realistic opportunity for you. Independent study research projects are free, so there is an option for every budget.
3. Look for mentorship.
If you’re going to be in a research program, then you should be receiving quality mentorship. Look for programs with experts in the field. Educators often serve as excellent guides in your research journey. Having one-on-one support and attention will make all the difference in getting what you want from your research project. They can also keep you on track and hold you accountable.
4. Have clear outcomes.
Ultimately, you want to finish your project with a tangible outcome. This might be an academic essay or something else. However, if a program doesn’t offer that, then you might want to look elsewhere. Having an outcome shows that you are able to complete a research project, and it’s an integral part of professional research. Otherwise, you’re just simply studying a topic. Excellent programs will support students in obtaining an outcome that suits their topic and project.
5. Realistic time-commitment.
Be sure the program you choose is realistic for you. There are plenty of excellent options. However, if you don’t have the time to do them, you won’t get the results you want. Consider your extracurricular activities, work commitments, and other important events. Summer opportunities allow you to make the most of your time off from school, and flexible options are suitable for most students. Make sure your program doesn’t overwhelm you!
Choosing the best research opportunities for you
The best research project for one student may not be the best for another. You should prioritize opportunities that allow you to explore your academic interests and meet your needs. Use our previous tips to identify quality research opportunities for you!
Additionally, many students may not know what they want to pursue as their major in college. However, this doesn’t mean that those students shouldn’t still explore research opportunities online or in-person. Ideally, research opportunities for high school students allow you to explore your passion project ideas, whether they’re related to your future career or not. If you have an interest, you can find a research opportunity in which to explore it.
Research Opportunities for High School Students – Final Thoughts
When it comes to research opportunities, there are options and programs for every type of student. You can choose from research opportunities online or in-person, summer programs or year-long programs, or independent projects.
One thing is for sure when considering research projects: having a quality program makes all the difference. One-on-one mentorship in a program grants students personalized attention and individual feedback. You’ll be supported as you explore your interests, and acquiring research skills will help you transition to a college curriculum. Plus, research opportunities look excellent on a college application.
Explore research opportunities today and get started on further exploring your passions and interests!
This article was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
