Your high school years are often a time when you discover your passions and begin mapping your academic and professional pathways. Research internships can be a powerful way to deepen your subject-matter knowledge, acquire practical skills, and gain real-world experience. In this article, we're spotlighting why research internships are so impactful for you as a high school student, and showcasing ten outstanding programs to consider for 2023.
Why are Research Internships Important for High School Students?
Engaging in a research internship during high school helps you expand your understanding of specific subjects beyond standard curricula. It involves an enriching journey of exploration and analysis, enabling you to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and competencies in data analysis. Moreover, internships pave the way for networking opportunities. Working with experienced professionals and mentors within your chosen field, you can establish valuable connections for your future academic and career prospects. These experiences can also greatly enhance your college application, as they demonstrate both a commitment to an area of study and the ability to conduct rigorous academic work.
10 Best Internship Opportunities
Research Science Institute (RSI) by MIT Hosted by MIT, RSI provides theoretical coursework and real-world research opportunities to high school students interested in various fields like physics and engineering. Students have the opportunity to interact with a community of like-minded peers and learn from experienced researchers, further preparing them for a potential career in scientific research.
Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University Held at Stony Brook University, this program allows students to work alongside faculty mentors in the fields of science, math, or engineering, providing hands-on laboratory experience. This immersive program not only imparts research skills but also gives students a taste of life at a major research university.
UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program This initiative offers an interdisciplinary, university-level research experience where students are paired with a mentor from graduate programs, postdoctoral research, or faculty. This mentorship focus ensures personalized guidance and significantly enhances the learning experience.
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) Hosted by Stanford University, is an eight-week program that offers high school students a hands-on biomedical research experience. Students work alongside Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, learning about various aspects of medical research, from cancer biology to bioengineering.
Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) at Boston University RISE is a six-week, non-credit residential program for students who wish to engage in scientific research in areas such as biology, chemistry, computer science, psychology, and engineering. The program includes both individual and group projects, encouraging collaboration and teamwork.
Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) by The Rockefeller University This seven-week program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct hands-on research in a laboratory at one of the world's leading biomedical research facilities. Besides the research work, students also participate in a series of scientific lectures and presentations enhancing their overall understanding.
NASA High School Internship Based in several locations, this internship offers students an immersive and hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Participating students get the unique opportunity to work directly with NASA scientists and engineers, gaining unparalleled insights into the operations of this world-leading space agency.
BRAINYAC (Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia) Hosted by Columbia University, this is an innovative program that offers high school students the opportunity to work in neuroscience research laboratories at Columbia University. The program helps students explore and deepen their understanding of the brain through hands-on experiences and mentorship from experienced scientists.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory - Partners for the Future (PFF) PFF is designed for talented high school students who are interested in biomedical research. The program provides an opportunity to work in a professional laboratory setting. Students will have the chance to contribute to ongoing research projects, deepening their understanding of the biomedical field.
High School Honors Science/Mathematics/Engineering Program (HSHSP) at Michigan State University The HSHSP is a renowned seven-week, intensive summer research program, aimed at motivated 12th-grade students from across the U.S. The program provides an immersive research environment on a major research-intensive campus, allowing students to deepen their knowledge in science, engineering, and mathematics.
Indigo Research’s High School Research Program
While the above-mentioned internships offer incredible opportunities, they might not be accessible for everyone due to location and scheduling constraints. Indigo Research provides a solution with its online and flexible High School Research Program, pairing you 1:1 with mentors from top US and UK university mentors so that you can conduct high quality research anytime and anywhere.
The research internships in this post provide a unique blend of hands-on experience, skill development, and exposure to the professional world of scientific research. It’s hard to go wrong with any of them. We invite you to explore these programs and set yourself on a path of discovery and learning that could shape your academic and professional journey for years to come. If none of these are to your interest, consider other research opportunities for high school students or high school summer research programs.
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