High School Opportunities

The Junior Scientist Training Program (JSTP) at Scripps Research offers unique summer camp experiences for high school and middle school students. The week-long programs are held on the La Jolla, California campus of Scripps Research. Through hands-on science experiments, virtual laboratory tours, fun STEM activities, and design challenges, participating students will learn how scientists conduct research and develop an understanding of the many career possibilities in science. Participants will design, conduct and present their own research project, and will receive a certificate of completion from Scripps Research. Limited scholarships and discounts are available for those students who can demonstrate need.

Advanced Space Academy explores college and career preparation through an immersive experience in science, engineering, technology, and math. Trainees experience a variety of astronaut training exercises, engineering challenges, and team-building activities, all culminating in an extended-duration simulated space mission. Students who are 18 and graduating high school may attend Advanced Space Academy the summer immediately following their senior year. Participants earn one credit hour of freshman-level general science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in this college-accredited program. Full-tuition scholarships are available.

Mach III missions challenge trainees with freedom of control, requiring them to think about maneuvers in all three rotational-axes of flight as they take on the most advanced flight simulations, engineering principles and leadership responsibilities. Challenge Mach III Trainees can receive one-hour of college credit* in Introduction to Aeronautics (ENG 105) through The University of Alabama in Huntsville upon successful completion of camp. *United States federal regulations regarding the issuance of college credit by a university requires you must be a citizen of the United States. Full-tuition scholarships are available.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s newest STEM camp, U.S. Cyber Camp, allows trainees to delve into the world of cyber technologies through blended hands-on experiences and challenges. Trainees learn the ethics and responsibilities of personal data security for safeguarding professional networks and the challenge of an expanding internet of things. This program balances individual instruction with team building. U.S. Cyber Camp assumes no prior knowledge in cybersecurity and requires only a basic understanding of computers. Students are introduced to careers, meet professionals working in cyber fields, and take a tour of Redstone Arsenal. Students also get to build a Raspberry Pi computer and then take it home. Full-tuition scholarships are available.

The Geosciences Bridge Program offers a 6-week paid internship for students planning to pursue careers in the geosciences. The program includes lectures, field trips, hands-on activities, two for-credit college courses, housing, meals, travel to and from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), and a stipend. The program introduces high school seniors to ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, and geographic information systems (GIS)/Remote Sensing techniques.

The LAB Jumpstart supports 16 NYC high school students in a combined after-school and summer science research experience. This program aims to ‘jumpstart’ the development of research skills and exposure to laboratory culture.

Summer research program affiliated with The Rockefeller University and RockEDU.

The Summer Neuroscience Program (SNP) at The Rockefeller University is a two-week course aimed at introducing talented NYC public high school students to the brain.

Science Saturday, which takes place in May, is an all-day STEM festival for K–8 students and their families.

Talking Science is designed to engage high school students and their teachers through interactive lectures and demonstrations in areas of current research being conducted at the University. This annual event, led by members of Rockefeller’s world-class faculty, is offered at no cost to the students or school. This year, Talking Science will be held virtually as a series of one-hour Zoom webinars offered on four Mondays in January and February 2021.