1. STEM Opportunities for high school students

2. WHY STEM outside of high school? Isn’t my school ENVIRONMENT ENOUGH?
Outside Enrichment
Mentorship and Professional Development
Mentors that have been successful in the field are excellent connections to have. They can be useful when looking for employment in the future.
College Applications and Admission
Lab mentors and program directors are willing to write recommendation letters if you show enthusiasm. These letters can be critical in a competitive admissions process
Scholarship Opportunities
Many major research competitions such as Regeneron STS, ISEF, Siemens, and ISWEEEP give substantial scholarships for major awards should you make it to the higher levels.

3. FINDING STEM Opportunities BEYOND THE HIGH SCHOOL EVIRONMENT
Intent: Be genuine in your search! Your time and effort will not be of value if you do not enjoy what you are doing.
Location: Most opportunities outside the high school require some form of transportation – universities, laboratories, etc. Be sure that you have access to any necessary transportation before committing
Cost: Be wary of costly STEM programs! Many summer programs can cost upwards of $3,000-$5000, so choose wisely and make sure that you will benefit from the opportunity . The best ones are usually the cheaper ones!
Time: These activities WILL be time consuming. It is your responsibility to plan your time effectively. Often, you will have to be flexible with your scheduling.
MOST IMPORTANT: YOU MUST SPEND TIME RESEARCHING THE OPPORTUNITY BEFORE YOU APPLY. MAKE SURE IT SUITS YOUR PERSONAL INTERESTS

4. CATEGORY 1: OUTSIDE LABORATORIES
HOW TO APPLY: A: Apply through a credible research program for high school students B: B: Contact professors independently
KEY POINTS
When applying, state a genuine interest in the field. Think creatively.
Make sure you have read up on the mentor’s/ research center’s previous work. You must add to their body of NOVEL research. When suggesting a project idea, be creative. This can’t be something you can simply look up. If you can find it online, don’t use it as a project idea.
Be persistent, but accept rejection when necessary.
When applying independently as a high school student, it is not uncommon to receive negative responses or no responses at all. Be tenacious in your search, but don’t overdo it. Often if there is no place for the summer, the decision is final, but you may apply next year or for a fall position. Remember, you are representing the school and do not want to ruin it for future students!

5. Research summer institute at MIT
What: National independent summer research program at MIT. You will be paired with a mentor to work on any type of research in the STEM field.
Where: MIT Campus
When: Summer before sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school.
Cost: Free
Competitive? Yes, highly
Application Requirements: See website. Transcript, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores and essays are required.
Link:

6. Simons summer research at stony brook university
What: National independent summer research program at Stony Brook University. You will be paired with a mentor to work on any type of research in the STEM field.
Where: Stony Brook University – occasional work at Brookhaven lab depending on equipment used. Housing is available
When: Summer before senior year of high school.
Cost: Students receive stipend to attend, so you get paid to go!
Competitive? Yes, highly
Application Requirements: See website. Transcript, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores and essays are required. Students must be nominated by teacher
Link:

7. GARCIA SUMMER SCHOLARS PROGRAM
What: International independent summer research program at Stony Brook University. You will be paired with a mentor to work on any type of research in the materials science/biomedical field. Group work is more common at Garcia.
Where: Stony Brook University – occasional work at Brookhaven lab depending on equipment used. Housing is available
When: Summer before senior year of high school.
Cost: $1000 for lab fees
Competitive? Yes, very
Application Requirements: See website. Transcript, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores and essays are required.
Link:

8. Independent research at stony Brook University
Some have contacts made through parents or teachers or through research-based coursework affiliations. Other students find they are successful in getting placed in a lab (for the summer, or weekend work) by contacting faculty directly via . Departmental Web pages are probably the best guide to specific faculty research interests. 
This route is often more difficult if the student does not have connections
Link:

9. Hsrp at BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY
What: Independent summer research program at Brookhaven National Lab.
Where: Brookhaven National Lab. No housing provided!
When: Summer before senior year of high school.
Cost: Free
Competitive? Yes, highly
Application Requirements: See website. Transcript, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores and essays are required.
Link:

10. COLD SPRING HARBOR PARTNERS FOR THE FUTURE
What: Long Island based independent summer research program at Cold Spring Harbor Lab. You will be paired with a mentor to work on any type of DNA research
Where: Cold Spring Harbor Lab. You must commute to the lab
When: During your senior year of high school
Cost: Free
Competitive? Yes, very
Application Requirements: See website. Transcript, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores and essays are required. Students must be nominated by teacher. Interview required.
Link:
NOTE TIMELINE FOR THIS LAB INTERNSHIP

11. Einstein-Montefiore High School Summer Research Program
What: Summer research opportunity for high school students. You will be paired with a mentor and have the opportunity to conduct independent research
Where: Albert Einstein Medical College in NYC. You must commute daily!
When: Summer before junior or senior year of high school
Cost: Free
Competitive? Yes, highly
Application Requirements: See website. Transcript, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores and essays are required
Link: program/information-for-participants.aspx

12. Michigan state university high school honors program
What: National independent summer research program at Stony Brook University. You will be paired with a mentor to work on any type of research in the STEM field.
Where: Michigan State University – residential program
When: Summer before senior year of high school.
Cost: $3,800
Competitive? Yes, highly
Application Requirements: See website. Transcript, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores and essays are required.
Link:

13. NYU - GSTEM
What: Summer research opportunity for high school girls. You will be paired with a mentor and have the opportunity to conduct independent research. Publishing work is not as common in this program
Where: NYU Campus in NYC. You must commute daily!
When: Summer before senior year of high school
Cost: $2,750
Competitive? Somewhat
Application Requirements: See website. Transcript, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores and essays are required
Link:

14. SSRP at ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY
What: Independent summer research program at Rockefeller University
When: Summer before junior or senior year. MUST BE 16 TO APPLY
Cost: Free
Competitive? Yes, extremely
Application Requirements: See website. Transcript, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores and essays are required.
Link:

15. OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
for-high-school-students/
REMEMBER: There are hundreds more opportunities out there, it is your job to find one that suits you! Keep in mind that you can still contact post-docs via at any local university.

16. I GOT IN, NOW WHAT?
Once you have chosen a lab, keep the following in mind:
Educate yourself : The quality and depth of your research is dependent on your competency in the field. Talk to your mentor about accessing online publications for you to peruse in your free time.
Keep in contact: When the program ends, your research doesn’t have to. Keep in contact with your mentor. Ask about getting patented or published.
Put the effort in: These programs are what you make of them. Focus on creating a quality project that interests you.

17. CATEGORY 2: OUTSIDE EDUCATIONAL Opportunities
Taking classes for outside enrichment can be a fantastic opportunity to be exposed to the more modern aspects of science. Directors of these programs are often willing to write letters of recommendation.
Professors that teach at these programs are usually post-docs. Try to network with mentors to gain lab space. Most are very receptive.

18. Columbia science honors program
What: Outside enrichment opportunity for high school students. Students attend weekly lectures on Saturday from 10-12:30
Where: Columbia University Campus in NYC. You must commute.
When: During school year of 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
Cost: Free
Competitive? Very
Application Requirements: See website. You must pass a test to gain admission. Transcript, letters of recommendation required.
Link:

19. OTHER LOCAL STEM EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIESml
The list goes on! The Columbia Science Honors program is one of the more prestigious programs if you do choose to invest your time.

20. CATEGORY 3: competitions
Once you have completed high level research, you will want to compete in more prestigious high school research competitions.
These competitions often offer large scholarships to their winners, so it is worth it to enter!
Your paper MUST contain statistical analysis and extensive research analysis to stand a chance.

21. Regeneron STS
What: The largest national research competition for high school students
Who: High school seniors
How to Apply: Submit final research report and complete application. You will need to report class rank, grades, and all test scores. Essays, letters of recommendation, and approval forms from your research mentor are all required.
Competitive: Yes, extremely
Link:

22. Junior Science and Humanities Symposia (JSHS)
What: National research competition for high school students
Who: High school students 9-12
How to Apply: Apply through regional fair. Final research report must be completed and uploaded before competition date.
Competitive: Yes, highly
Link:
NOTE: The JSHS website has uploaded the papers of previous winners. Use these to model your paper!

23. SIEMENS HIGH SCHOOL RESEARCH COMPETITION
What: National research competition for high school students
Who: High school students 9-12
How to Apply: Submit and upload paper. Approval forms from mentor also required.
Competitive: Yes, highly
Link: in-math-science-technology/

24. Intel ISEF
What: International research competition for high school students
Who: High school students 9-12
How to Apply: Apply through regional fair. See Mr. Bewick about LISEF. Final research report must be completed and uploaded before competition date.
Competitive: Yes, highly
Link:
NOTE: ISEF has a handbook that contains all forms necessary to complete any competition. If your mentor fills these forms out, you’ll have all the complete forms for any other research competition.

25. isweeep
What: International research competition for high school students
Who: High school students 9-12
How to Apply: Apply through regional fair or upload paper by application deadline. See Mr. Bewick about the regional fair LISEF. Final research report must be completed and uploaded before competition date.
Competitive: Yes, very
Link:

26. TESTS AND SCIENCE OLYMPIADS
These competitions are based solely on the scores of a standardized subject test. Winners get to attend a national summer science camp.
There are so many more competitions! Do your research!

27. CATEGORY 4: LOCAL OUTREACH
Students also have the opportunity to engage in community STEM programs. While personal enrichment is important, it may also beneficial for you to participate in local outreach.
As a high school mentor, you are an ambassador for STEM education to the younger students, so be enthusiastic.

28. ROBOTICS AT Wss Elementary
Maira Khan and Alain Alarco started an elementary school robotics class two years ago. They teach basic programming and mechanical engineering concepts. Students participate in robotics competitions throughout the year.
Interested? Contact Marie Wicks at

29. “SUMMER SCHOOL” With MR. CHen
Mr. Chen, the Instrumentation and Automation teacher at Sewanhaka high school teaches students Vcarve, laser cutting, CNC machine, and ShopBot skills over the summer.
Interested? Contact him at

30. Other LOCAL OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES