High school internships are an excellent way to build your resume and gain experience in your field of interest before moving on to postsecondary education. Nowadays, high school faculty promote internships for these reasons. Research internships for high school students will equip them with the technical know-how of their chosen industry and skills to become a researcher.
If you’re a high school student looking for high school research internships, this article lists everything you need to know. Find out about the current research summer high school internships available, the benefits and types of internships, and the best research classes you can take to improve your research skills.
Can High School Students Access Research Internships?
Yes, high school students can access research internships by simply applying to internship providers. Universities, government agencies, and private laboratories organize research internship programs for qualified students. Students who are not selected can still become research interns by leveraging their network, contacting nearby researchers, and cold-emailing.
Are There Research Summer High School Internships?
Yes, many universities and affiliated organizations offer summer internships for high school students. A summer program internship is easier to manage and more convenient for high school students to attend since there is no conflict with their curriculum. The time frame varies with every program, but summer programs usually run between May and August.
Why Are Internships Important for High School Students?
- Career Exploration. Internships allow students to explore career paths before deciding which is right for them. Students can use their internship experience to understand what it’s like to work in a research environment.
- Networking. During your internship, you will connect with fellow interns, professors, and researchers. These connections are a part of your network, and you can leverage them to advance your career.
- Professional Skills. Immersing yourself in an academic environment will teach you career-specific research skills. You’ll also learn life skills like critical thinking, time management, communication, and cooperation.
- College Admission. A research internship can set you apart from other applicants and foster admission success. Apart from its educational value, completing a research internship shows that you’re passionate, committed, and willing to go the extra mile.
- Experience and Opportunities. Based on the 2019 Internship & Co-op Survey Report, by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 70 percent of interns receive job offers. Based on this statistic, during your time as a high school intern, you will gain real-world work experience that will help you get a job fast.
Top 10 High School Research Internships
Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP)
- Location: Manhattan
- Length: Eight weeks
- Time Commitment: 40 hours per week
High school students passionate about biomedical science can gain hands-on experience in translational medicine and research through this program. Selected interns conduct independent research under the guidance of a mentor and present their findings at a poster session.
Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR)
- Location: California
- Length: Eight weeks
- Time Commitment: 40 hours per week
The SIMR program provides underrepresented Northern California high school students with biomedical research opportunities. Interns receive one-on-one guidance from their mentors and engage in hands-on research. At the end of the program, students present their findings at a poster session and earn a stipend for their work.
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
- Location: New York, Florida, Texas, Ohio, New Mexico, Nevada, Hawaii
- Length: Eight weeks
- Time Commitment: 40 hours per week
High school students desiring to pursue a STEM degree in college may apply for the AFRL Scholars program. Selected interns will get the chance to assist AFRL scientists and engineers with their research projects. Students must be 16 years or older at the time of application to be eligible for this program.
Research Science Institute (RSI)
- Location: Massachusetts
- Length: Seven weeks
- Time Commitment: N/A
RSI teaches theoretical science and hands-on research skills to 80 high school juniors at no cost every year. In the first week, interns learn fundamental research methods from distinguished professors on the MIT campus. Interns spend five weeks developing their research projects and give an oral and written presentation of their results in the final week.
While no specific number of hours per week is mentioned, students describe working on projects during the day and getting to discuss specific industry skills at group dinner outings with professors in the evenings.
Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
- Location: New York
- Length: Seven Weeks
- Time Commitment: 40 hours per week
High school students interested in STEM fields like biology, computer science, and engineering may apply to join the ARISE program. The program teaches job skills such as research ethics, the scientific method, and lab safety. Participants receive a $750 stipend and mentorship from a postdoctoral or graduate student after completion.
MDI Biological Laboratory High School Summer Research Fellowship Program
- Location: Maine
- Length: Seven weeks
- Time Commitment: N/A
The MDI summer research program offers both commuter and residential programs, which would require different levels of time commitments. The program teaches biological science research skills through hands-on activities in the lab. Interns get to work alongside undergraduate students and postdoctoral researchers on multifaceted projects while conducting an independent research project of their own.
NIH High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP)
- Location: Maryland, North Carolina, Montana, Massachusetts, Arizona, Michigan
- Length: Eight weeks
- Time Commitment: 40 hours per week
The National Institute of Health offers the HS-SIP to 11th-grade and 12th-grade students interested in pursuing careers in medicine. Interns join groups with post-doctoral researchers, post-bachelor, graduates, and undergraduate students. Depending on their grouping, interns may work on individual research projects. The HS-SIP is a paid internship.
ASPIRE Program
- Location: Maryland, online
- Length: Six weeks
- Time Commitment: 25 hours per week
The Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine offers the ASPIRE program. Eligible students may apply to access laboratory experience in science, technology, engineering, and math-related fields. Some of the research areas offered include information technology, biomedical engineering, and data analysis.
Research in Science and Engineering (RISE)
- Location: Massachusetts
- Length: Six weeks
- Time Commitment: 40 hours per week
Boston University’s RISE program allows high school students to explore the university laboratory research environment. It offers research internships in more than 15 research areas. Interns are assigned a research project and, after the program, they present their findings at the poster symposium.
Simons Summer Research Program
- Location: New York
- Length: Four weeks
- Time Commitment: 28 hours per week
Stonybrook University hosts the Simons summer research program for high school juniors passionate about science. Each intern works with a mentor and a research group. At the end of the program, interns present a research abstract and poster. The program includes extracurricular activities like tours, talks, and campus visits.
Research Classes for High School Students
Besides internships for high school students, there are other ways to gain research experience. Research classes are one such method. We’ll introduce you to the best online research programs for high school students across different fields of interest in the list below.
- Understanding Research Methods by the University of London. This course is perfect for high school students who have no prior experience with research. It introduces the fundamental principles of research, teaches research skills, and outlines the components of a good research paper.
- Research Design: Inquiry and Discovery by the University of North Texas. This course focuses on how to conduct research in social science fields. Participants learn how to formulate research questions, gather and analyze data, and the importance of research ethics.
- Using Python for Research by HarvardX. Students will learn how to apply Python to solve research questions in this course. The lessons introduce the research tools in Python and detail how to use them.
- Introduction to UX Principles and Processes by the University of Michigan. This course is an introduction to the world of user experience (UX) design and research. Students will learn the different components of UX research and the principles of good design.
- Introduction to Research for Essay Writing by the University of California, Irvine. This course teaches students how to conduct research for academic writing. It covers choosing a topic, citing sources, reviewing the literature, and using the right language and tone.
Should You Do an Internship in High School?
Yes, you should absolutely do an internship in high school. An internship program can help you earn college credits and gain real-world experience for your future career. It is also an impressive extracurricular to have on your college application.
However, remember that high school internships are very competitive. Therefore, participating in research-oriented education programs like data analytics bootcamps can improve your admission chances.
Research Internships for High School Students FAQ
Your primary job as a research intern is to assist your employer. What that will look like depends on where you work. In STEM fields, it may mean working on a research team, conducting independent research, and writing lab reports. In other areas, it may include conducting interviews, gathering data, and managing clients.
The Generation Google Scholarship and the CURIE Academy offered by Coriell University are some of the most popular research internships for women. The United States Census Bureau reports that only 27 percent of female employees work in STEM fields. These research internships aim to improve women’s participation in STEM.
To write an effective internship resume, you’ll need to include your name, all education and relevant experience, and contact information, such as email address or any applicable social media handles. Also, make sure your resume is applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly by ensuring you generously use keywords.
Start with a direct yet intriguing subject line, then establish who you are and what you want. Include any accomplishments or connections that will pique their interest without being overly talkative. There’s a middle ground between the two, and that’s where your email should sit. End with a courteous call to action, which may be responding to your email or scheduling a meeting.
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