Worldwide Youth in Science and Eng.
Each summer the Grainger School of Engineering at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) runs a serious, 6-week long STEM research program for rising high school juniors and seniors. The program ranges across a broad variety of scientific disciplines, from physics to bioengineering, to quantum mechanics and cancer immunology. One unusual feature of the program is that students are matched with other students and teachers from their high school to conduct the research jointly. This is a fantastic way to create a bridge between summer research and a longer term academic opportunity.
“Rising high school juniors and seniors (current 10th-11th grade) are invited to apply to participate in an authentic STEM research experience at a world-class research university for 6 weeks during the summer. You will gain hands-on experience in areas at the forefront of various STEM fields, such as cancer immunology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, physics, quantum mechanics, bioengineering, electrical engineering, and more! Those accepted into the program will be matched with another student and a teacher from their school (Everyone must apply separately). High School Researchers will:
Participate in cutting-edge research activities of established researchers in engineering, computer science, and medicine.
Develop professional and college-ready skills with weekly seminars on various topics such as college admission processes and supports available, communicating scientifically, and how to prepare a research poster.
Develop greater confidence in yourself as a scientist and engineer.
Interact with faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students, undergraduate students, and local high school teachers who will support you through this STEM research adventure.
Showcase your research at the end of the experience with a research poster and symposium.
Plan for 30-35 hours per week of research and professional development time. A majority of activities will occur on the University of Illinois campus and online. Some transportation/parking expenses, meals, and a monetary award are provided.”
How do I get started? Click here.
How do I expand this narrative arc? There are tons of local, state, regional and even national science competitions. Make sure that you apply to as many of them as possible. Also consider continuing and even trying to publish your research in one of the many online science journals that feature the serious research work of high school students.