research opportunities for high school students minnesota

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• Summer Research Opportunities

These funded research experiences are open to undergraduate students throughout the United States. Offered by a consortium of institutions, including the U of MN, they provide excellent summer learning opportunities in the U.S. and abroad for students in various fields of study who have a serious interest in research.

+ Amgen Scholars Program

Info: The Amgen Scholars Program provides hundreds of science & engineering undergraduates with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on summer research experience at some of the world's leading institutions. Stipend amount varies by institution. Visit the program website.

Sponsor: Amgen Foundation

Locations: California Institute of Technology, Columbia University (Barnard College), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California–Berkeley, University of California–Los Angeles, University of California–San Diego, University of California–San Francisco, University of Washington, Washington University in St. Louis

Who May Apply: Undergraduates enrolled in accredited four-year colleges or universities in the United States, Puerto Rico or other US territories, with a minimum GPA of 3.2 and an an interest in pursuing a PhD or MD-PhD. Sophomores (with four quarters or three semesters of college experience), juniors, or non-graduating seniors (who are returning in the fall to continue undergraduate studies) are eligible. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents of the US.

Application: Applications are due early February. Apply online.

+ Big Ten Academic Alliance Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)

Info: Provides funding for undergraduates from participating Big Ten institutions to pursue summer research at other participating Big Ten institutions. Stipend amount varies by institution. Visit the program website.

Sponsor: Big Ten Academic Alliance

Locations: Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions: U of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Who May Apply: Undergraduates with GPA of 3.0 or higher who are US citizens or permanent residents; must have completed at least 2 semesters by the time of the summer experience; must have at least one semester remaining after the summer experience; should intend to pursue a PhD in the future. A goal of the program is to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups, including minority students, first-generation college students and students from low-income backgrounds regardless of race or ethnicity, who choose to pursue graduate education or research careers.

Application: Applications are generally accepted from November through February. Apply online.

+ DAAD Summer Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE)

Info: This six to twelve-week program supports interns working on scientific research projects at top research institutions in Germany. Awardees may choose from among 500+ research projects. German language skills are helpful but not required. Participants receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, and assistance arranging housing. Approximately 300 are awarded annually. Visit the program website.

Sponsor: Deutscher Akadimischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) German Academic Exchange Service

Locations: Various sites in Germany

Who May Apply: Sophomores and juniors of any nationality studying biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, or engineering in the US or Canada

Application: Applications are generally accepted from December through January. Apply online.

+ Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Programs (LSSURP)

Info: This ten-week program offers students from groups that are underrepresented in the life sciences the experience and training to enhance their ability to pursue a research career. Participants work on specific research projects under faculty guidance. Participants receive a stipend and housing and travel allowances. Approximately 60 participants per year. Visit the program website.

Sponsor: University of Minnesota

Locations: U of MN–Twin Cities, Itasca Biological Station

Who May Apply: Full-time undergraduates who are US citizens or permanent residents interested in the life sciences

Application: Applications are generally accepted in January or February. Apply online.

+ Department of Energy (DOE) Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)

Info: This program encourages undergraduate students to pursue STEM careers by providing a research experience at one of 15 DOE laboratories. Interns perform research under the guidance of laboratory staff scientists or engineers on projects supporting the DOE mission. Ten-week summer internships as well as 16-week fall and spring internships are offered. Interns receive $500/week stipend and travel reimbursement. Housing information is provided. Visit the program website.

Sponsor: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science and Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists

Locations: Various

Who May Apply: Currently enrolled full-time undergraduate with GPA of 3.0 or higher, 18 years or older when internship begins, U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Application: Applications are generally accepted from August to October. Apply online.

+ Lillehei Heart Institute Summer Research Scholars Program (SRSP)

Info: Named summer research scholarships in cardiovascular medicine offer highly qualified students an exposure to several disciplines within cardiovascular medicine. Each scholar is assigned to a laboratory and faculty mentor to engage in intensive basic or clinical research. Scholars are introduced to clinical, industrial, and academic medicine through a variety of activities 10 weeks full-time. $4000 stipend for college students, $3000 for high school students. Nine scholarships are offered to college students and three to high school students. Visit the program website.

Sponsor: Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota Medical School

Locations: U of MN–Twin Cites

Who May Apply: High school students and undergraduate students studying in a health care related field.

Application: Applications are generally accepted from December to February. Apply online.

+ McNair Scholars Program

Info: This program aims to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low income backgrounds and underrepresented groups entering PhD programs in all fields of study. Participants develop higher-level academic and research skills in preparation for graduate school and get advice on the graduate admissions process. The program includes a paid summer research experience. Visit the program website.

Sponsor: U.S. Department of Education, TRiO, and others

Locations: U of MN–Twin Cities

Who May Apply: US citizens or permanent residents, low income and/or first-generation college students. Applicants must intend to pursue PhD in any field after graduation. Open to students in all fields of study; specific sites may restrict to participants from a limited number of eligible institutions; sophomores and juniors may apply.

Application: Applications are generally accepted until February. Apply online.

+ NanoJapan International Research Experience for Undergraduates

Info: Provides 12-week summer research experience in nanotechnology for freshman or sophomore students in Japan; no prior Japanese language or culture study is required. Participants earn 1 credit through Rice University. Award includes stipend, international airfare, 3-week language and culture orientation. Up to 12 awards per year. Visit the program website.

Sponsor: Rice University

Locations: Various Japanese research laboratories

Who May Apply: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; should have a demonstrated interest in the field of nanotechnology as it relates to THz dynamics of nanostructures; no prior research experience is required. Women and students underrepresented in STEM disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application: Applications are generally due in January. Apply online.

+ National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program (SIP)

Info: Provides a full-time eight week biomedical research experience in an NIH facility. Approximately 1100 interns are selected per summer. Stipend amounts vary. Some interns are invited to volunteer. Visit the program website.

Sponsor: National Institutes of Health

Locations: NIH lab in Bethesda, MD and elsewhere

Who May Apply: High school students, college students, graduate students, professional school students. US citizenship or permanent residency is required.

Application: Applications are generally accepted from November to March. Individual scientists select and fund their own interns. Apply online.

+ Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

Info: At REU sites, groups of approximately 10 undergraduate students work on specific research projects under the direction of faculty and other researchers. Students receive a stipend and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. Research fields include the social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, mathematical sciences, and engineering. Visit the program website.

Sponsor: National Science Foundation

Locations: Numerous, U.S. and abroad

Who May Apply: Undergraduates in good standing who are US citizens and permanent residents. Additional requirements apply to specific REUs.

Application: Applications are made specifically to REU sites and are generally accepted until the fourth Wednesday in August. Apply online.

+ Summer Institute for Training in Biostatistics (SIBS)

Info: SIBS offers a comprehensive 6-7 week training course on biostatistics. Participants gain an intensive introduction to biostatistical approaches and research through exposure to the principles, methodologies, uses, and applications of statistical methods in biomedical and clinical research. Benefits vary by site but generally include travel, housing, food, and tuition & fees to receive college credit. Visit the program website.

Locations: Various locations in the U.S., including the U of MN–Twin Cities.

Who May Apply: Undergraduate and early-career graduate students who are American citizens or permanent residents. Additional requirements may apply to specific SIBS sites.

Application: Applications are made specifically to the various SIBS sites and are generally accepted from December to March.

• Global Seminars and LAC Seminars
• Honors Research in London - Summer 2024

Upcoming Summer 2024 Application Deadline is April 14, 2024.  

Click here to apply.

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12 Summer Programs for High School Students in Minnesota

As a high school student, it is recommended that you make the most of your summer break, especially the one before joining college. And if you’re a student in Minnesota, then you have a lot of great programs to choose from that run during the summer.

Minnesota has a great set of enriching summer programs to pick from . From STEM adventures to humanities explorations and everything in between, Minnesota has programs for almost every stream!

We’ve curated some popular summer programs in Minnesota for you in this blog, that offer a variety of activities across various subjects that you can consider.

Please keep in mind the following information is for 2023 and dates for the following years will likely happen around a similar time period.

1. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science’s Career Immersion Program

Application deadline: March 15, 2023

Eligibility: Juniors and seniors from high school with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply

Program dates: June 25, 2023 – June 30, 2023

Location: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester

This week-long residential program offers a look at the wide range of healthcare careers. You will explore the various career options in the field, including niche roles like radiographers and respiratory therapists . The program consists of hands-on activities and networking with students and staff. You will also learn about professional etiquette and academic pathways to these careers. Do keep in mind that the application process includes an interview and can be fairly competitive.

Another program that could introduce you to health careers is HealthForce Minnesota’s Scrubs Program , which includes a lot more hands-on lab work. The program takes place at several locations within Minnesota and a couple of those are free.

2. Lillehei Heart Institute’s Summer Research Scholars Program

Application deadline: February 1, 2023

Eligibility: Juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old,

Program dates: May 30, 2023 – July 28, 2023, although students can elect to work through the first half of August as well

Location: University of Minnesota

Stipend: $3,000

A great option for those students specifically interested in cardiovascular medicine, this program gives you the chance to do independent research within the field. You will be allotted a lab as well as a faculty mentor who will guide you with your research project . Additionally, field trips and seminars by industry leaders will expand your overall knowledge of the field. However, keep in mind that this is a highly competitive program that receives about 70 applications per year for the two high school spots available (the rest are for undergraduates).

3. BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture (MBV)

Application deadline: May 15, 2023

Eligibility: All high school students can apply

Program dates: Session 1 from July 9, 2023 – July 14, 2023, Session 2 from July 22, 2023 – July 27, 2023

Location: University of St. Thomas

Fee: $300 (an early bird rate is $200)

Financial assistance: Available

A residential program hosted by a non-profit organization, the MBV is ideal for building a foundation in business and entrepreneurship through hands-on experience. As a participant, you will work in ‘companies’ of 10-14 students and create a business plan for a fictitious product, which you will present at the end of the program . You will also attend mock interviews and sessions by professionals on a number of topics like marketing, budgeting, financial aid and more.

4. University of Minnesota’s High-School Neuroscience Summer Program

Application deadline: March 1, 2023

Eligibility: Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors from minority groups attending Twin Cities schools

Program dates: July 10, 2023 – July 14, 2023

Location: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Stipend: $400

Ideal for those who are interested in neuroscience, this program offers a comprehensive introduction to the field. You will not only study the brain and get practical experience in research labs but also learn about college applications, CV writing, and financial aid. The highlight of this program is the mentorship that will provide you support on a long-term basis, even after the program ends . This program has only ten spots so it’s best to apply as early as possible!

5. University of Minnesota’s IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp

Application deadline: June 1, 2023

Eligibility: Any high school student who has completed a year-long course in single variable calculus

Through this summer program, you will explore mathematical models beyond what you learn in high school. The curriculum will look at the practical usage of math in real-world scenarios, such as the effect of traffic on a bridge. Previous projects have included developing a predictive model for air quality and a model to identify the best rail expansion route . Do keep in mind that this is a commuter program and best suited for students within the Twin Cities region.

6. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship

Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship.  These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. 

The   AI Fellowship  program will have students pursue their own independent AI research project. Students work on their own individual research projects over a period of 12-15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the field of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects here . 

Location : Virtual

$1,790 for the 10-week AI Scholars program

$4,900 for the 12-15 week AI Fellowship 

$4,700 for both

Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here . 

Application deadline : On a rolling basis. Applications for fall cohort have closed September 3, 2023. 

Program dates : Various according to the cohort

Program selectivity : Moderately selective

Eligibility : Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit past experience with AI concepts or Python.

Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions pertaining to the students background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest. 

7. Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth’s Expand Your Mind Program

Application deadline: Applications open on January 1 and are then accepted on a rolling basis till the courses fill up

Eligibility: All high school students

Program dates: Session A from June 20, 2023 – June 30, 2023, Session B from July 10, 2023 – July 21, 2023

Location: Macalester College

Fee: $750 (A) and $825 (B) for commuters, $1,800 (A) and $2,075 (B) for residents

MITY is a non-profit organization that hosts several academic enrichment programs for students. The Expand Your Mind program is a two-week intensive course where you will deep dive into a specific subject. Course options range across humanities, fine arts, and STEM. Some examples include studio painting, entrepreneurship, creative writing, chemistry, astrophysics and forensics. With residential and commuter options available, the program also offers a glimpse into college life, something you want to experience before applying and moving to university for your undergraduate degree.

8. ThreeSixty Journalism’s Summer Camps

Application deadline: April 14, 2023

Program dates: Varies with each camp but they are all 4-5 day camps in the months of June and July

Fee: $500, but some camps offer a $590 stipend upon successful completion of the program

Financial assistance: Full scholarships available for free or reduced lunch eligible students

ThreeSixty Journalism is a non-profit program of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas, which provides immersive courses in journalism and is useful for anyone with an interest in media. The summer camps cover a range of multimedia learning from TV to radio to sports journalism, giving students practical experience in the field. You could create an ad campaign in the PR Workshop, produce a radio story in the Radio Broadcast Camp or develop a professional TV package . Do keep in mind that spots are limited for these summer camps.

9. St. Olaf College’s Summer Music Academy

Application deadline: June 12, 2023

Program dates: June 25, 2023 – July 1, 2023

Location: St. Olaf College

This is a well-rounded program for budding musicians, who will attend classes, get one-on-one sessions, and receive the opportunity to play with large and small ensembles like orchestras, choirs, or quartets. Daily classes include courses like music theory, jazz improvisation and musical theater, while the private lessons will be focused on a specific instrument (voice is an option here as well) . The residential program will end with a concert in Boe Chapel.

10. Carleton College Summer Liberal Arts Institute’s Computer Science Program

Application deadline: March 16, 2023

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors

Program dates: July 9, 2023 – July 28, 2023

Location: Carleton College

Fee: $4,300

Financial assistance: Need-based scholarships are available

On completing an SLAI Program, you will not only have gained three weeks of high-level academic learning but also 6 Carleton credits (which generally transfer as 3 semester credits). The computer science track focuses on the need for computers to perceive their surroundings and respond to complex scenarios. You will delve into the individual topics of robotics, computer vision, game theory and game development. At the end of the program, you will have the opportunity to present your research at a symposium.

11. Minnesota Aviation Career Education (MN ACE) Camp

Application deadline: April (date not specified)

Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors and seniors. Freshmen can apply but might not be selected

Program dates: Session 1 from June 11, 2023 – June 16, 2023, Session 2 from June 18, 2023 – June 23, 2023, Session 3 from July 9, 2023 – July 14, 2023

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota (lodging location varies)

Fee: $1,600

The MN ACE Camp is a residential program that allows you to literally step into the world of aviation. You will learn about the many career pathways in aviation while also getting substantial practical experience — touring airline operations, shadowing employees during a flight, receiving flight attendant training, and even piloting an aircraft with a certified instructor! The camp sessions are limited to 30 students though, so it’s best to apply early.

Additionally, several options on this list are eligible for the Minnesota government’s Summer Academic Enrichment Program which offers stipends of up to $1,000 to cover the expenses of such summer programs.

Additionally, here is a bonus program you may want to consider alongside the ones mentioned before -

12. University of Minnesota’s Rooted in STEM Program

Application deadline: December 4, 2022

Eligibility: Sophomores and juniors from underrepresented groups

Program dates: One Saturday per month until December of your senior year

Instead of providing an intensive learning experience in the summer, Rooted in STEM offers a long-term approach to educating students in STEM over the course of two years. The program uses monthly sessions on Saturdays during the fall and spring semesters —featuring lectures, presentations, demonstrations, lab tours and networking opportunities. It is an ideal choice for those looking to enroll at the University of Minnesota as the program offers a $40,000 scholarship for students who complete the program and get admission to the College of Science and Engineering .

Looking for a similar opportunity in the arts? Consider Minnesota College of Art and Design’s Post-Secondary Enrolment Option , a free honors program where you can earn college credit.

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are interested in doing university-level research and would like to do so from the comfort of your home, then you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online high school program for students that I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 2100 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source: Mayo Clinic College logo

Research Opportunities for High School Students

Hands-on laboratory-based research experiences are coveted by just about every STEM-oriented teenager on the planet. Of course, this level of demand renders research apprenticeships a valuable and rare commodity for high school students. Fortunately, there are a number of reputable summer programs run by universities, government agencies, and private research laboratories that afford young scientists this highly sought after experience. Research opportunities during the actual school year are more challenging to locate as colleges are, at that time, catering to their own students, and the rigidity of the high school calendar makes participation a further challenge.

College Transitions’ list of Research Opportunities for High School Students includes a bevy of summer program choices as well as a list of internships and apprenticeships that are indeed offered during the school year. For each entry, we list the geographic location of the program, whether there is a residential component offered, the length of the program, any associated costs or—on the other end—stipends, when the application window opens and closes, and the eligibility criteria for participation. We hope that this collection of research opportunities leads to you/your teen finding the laboratory experience of their dreams.

To view additional data columns, click the + icon to the left of the program’s name

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Lillehei Heart Institute

Medical School

• C. Walton Lillehei
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LHI-AHA Summer Research Scholars Program

With the assistance of a grant from the AHA, the Lillehei Heart Institute offers annual summer research scholarships in basic science research related to cardiovascular disease. These highly competitive, prestigious scholarships are designed to expose highly qualified students to several disciplines within cardiovascular disease research and its clinical applications. Each scholar will be supported by a research scholarship. The major focus will be intensive basic or clinical research as each scholar will be assigned a laboratory and a faculty mentor. In addition, scholars will be introduced to clinical, industrial, and academic medicine through a variety of field trips, seminars and hands on experiences. Weekly seminars by faculty and industry leaders will be given to offer the scholar a window into career opportunities in cardiovascular science and medicine. The goal of these scholarships is to encourage medical and scientific careers in Cardiovascular Medicine.

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North Star STEM Alliance

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Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Why should i participate in undergraduate research.

The Louis Stokes North Star STEM Alliance encourages all undergraduates to consider participating in undergraduate research. Hands-on research puts theory into practice as you work directly with faculty and graduate students on projects at the cutting-edge of science.

How do I get involved in research?

There are a variety of ways to find research opportunities. A place to start is by talking with a faculty member. They can direct you to information on your campus. Many campuses have Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programs (UROP).  Smaller institutions often have faculty engaged in both teaching and research projects. Talk with them about what opportunities exist on campus.

Below you will find a list of many general and summer undergraduate research experience (REU) opportunities along with application deadlines.

LS-NSSA Research Programs

• Epidemiological Research
• Faculty-sponsored research

General Research Opportunities at The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program  UROP provides all University of Minnesota undergraduates, regardless of college, major or discipline, the opportunity to partner with a faculty member on a research, scholarly or creative project. UROP gives students a chance to explore academic and career interests, apply classroom learning to real-time research and prepare for a career or graduate school while working closely with a faculty member. Students may work on a project of their own creation or take part in a faculty member’s existing project.  Application Deadline: February 26, 2024 for Summer or Fall '24 Projects.

The International Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program  The I-UROP Scholarship is designed to promote learning abroad opportunities to UMTC undergraduate students by providing critical funding to students enrolled in select credit-bearing learning abroad programs involving a research project. The learning abroad program must be a semester or academic year in length involving a minimum of 100 hours dedicated to research that occurs onsite.  Application Deadline: March 15, 2024 for Summer 2024 Consideration.

MN Futures Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program The MN Futures UROP provides opportunities for undergraduates to partner with a cross-disciplinary team of faculty members on one of the MN Futures research grants.   Application Deadline: There are no application deadlines for this program. Learn more about the GC UROP presentation dates and deadlines by clicking the link.

Undergraduate Research Scholarships The undergraduate research scholarship (URS) provides first and second-year students scholarship funding for participating in the research and creative work with faculty. Undergraduate Research Scholarships (URS) are awarded by the University Admissions Office to prospective freshman as part of the admissions award package. 

Summer Research Opportunities at The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

The McNair Scholars Program  The goal of McNair Scholars is to give undergraduate students intensive, faculty-driven research experiences and prepare students for entry into and success in graduate school. Students pursuing STEM programs are strongly encouraged to apply.  Application Deadline: November 9, 2023. *Note -- if your institution does not have a McNair Scholars program, you can apply to the one at the University of Minnesota.

For more information, visit: z.umn.edu/mcnair

ATP-BIO Research Experience for Undergraduate Students ATP-Bio is a large NSF funded Engineering Research Center housed at the University of Minnesota. In addition to the scientific focus on the development of cryogenic cooling applications, ATP-Bio is developing STEM pathways to promote diversity in the STEM fields including partnerships with community colleges.

ATP-Bio would like to meet with you to discuss potential programming development for community college students and faculty, for example bridging programs for students transferring to the University of Minnesota and professional development opportunities for faculty. The goal is for this programming to build on the strengths of existing programs and partnerships, as well as being responsive to the specific needs of community colleges. Please contact Seth Thompson ( [email protected] ) to learn more about ATP-Bio and schedule a meeting to help shape the development of ATP-Bio support for community college students and faculty.

In addition, ATP-Bio supports early research experiences for students through an REU program (Research Experience for Undergraduates). The ATP-Bio REU is a 10-week research internship targeting students nationwide, including community college students, who have not participated in prior research. Students will spend their summer doing cutting edge research as they help advance cryopreservation technologies. Housing, lodging, and a stipend are provided and students will conduct research at either the University of Minnesota or Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. Applications will open in January 2024.

Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program  LSSURP has given students that have been underrepresented in the life sciences the experience and training that enhances their ability to pursue a career in research. This represents a long-standing commitment to increasing the impact and quality of life science research at the University of Minnesota, which is strengthened when there is diversity in our faculty and students.  Application Deadline: February 16, 2024.

The Hormel Institute - Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Internship program at The Hormel Institute allows interns to conduct paid full-time work with scientists on biomedical research projects for the duration of 10 weeks. This helps students expand their knowledge of basic research and gain firsthand experience learning about equipment and techniques that are generally not available in undergraduate academic programs. Application Deadline: February 11, 2024. 

Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology Research Experience for Undergraduates  The Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology, through support from the National Science Foundation, hosts a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focused on Sustainable Nanotechnology. Selected participants will spend 10 weeks conducting research in collaboration with one more principal investigators of the Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology.  Application Deadline: February 5, 2024. 

Research Experience for Undergraduates Program in Physics and Astrophysics  Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is a 10-week summer outreach program that provides a working research environment for undergraduate students. Participants engage in research with faculty and staff of the School of Physics and Astronomy.  Application Deadline: January 31, 2024

CFANS - Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiences (REEU) Summer Research Program The REEU program is designed to provide a transformative summer experience for ambitious and curious undergraduates interested in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and plant and soil science. This program is 10 weeks long and will run from June 3 - August 9, 2024 and is a full-time (40+hrs/week) research experience. There will be a $5000 stipend provided, along with room & board at The University of Minnesota's Pioneer Hall. Application Deadline: February 15, 2024.  

Pathways to Graduate School Summer Research Program  Pathways at the University of Minnesota is an intensive 10 week summer program in which undergraduate students work full-time with a faculty mentor on a research project. The cohort-based program includes a series of seminars preparing students for graduate school and developing research skills .  Application Deadline: March 3, 2024.

Cancer Disparities Internship  The University of Minnesota Medical School Program in Health Disparities Research, in collaboration with the Masonic Cancer Center, invites eligible undergraduate students to submit an application for the 11th Annual Health Disparities & Cancer Research Summer Internship. This program is a paid, full-time internship designed to give undergraduate students from Minnesota's racial/ethnic minority and underrepresented communities experience conducting cancer and/or health disparities research. The program also provides students opportunities to shadow clinicians at hospitals and clinics in the Twin Cities.  Application Deadline: February 10, 2024.

CSP Summer Undergraduate Research Program  The CSP will provide full-time research positions to undergraduate students during the summer – hosted at the University of Minnesota. We expect that the 2024 CSP Summer Research program will be conducted in-person. Program structure and any modifications are subject to change. This program is open to undergraduate students in science and engineering majors, preferably chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science. Program participants must be US citizens or permanent residents.  Historically excluded and multicultural students are strongly encouraged to apply (e.g. female, genderqueer, transgender, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native American or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, bisexual, gay, lesbian, queer, disability, or veteran of the US Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard).

Program dates are June 5 - August 11, 2024 but can accommodate students whose semester/quarter end dates overlap with the program start.  Application Deadline: February 1, 2024.

The Pathways to Research Program (PReP)  PReP provides an opportunity for students from populations underrepresented in research to begin or advance their research career. Opportunities for travel funds to participate in national and international scientific meetings are awarded on a competitive basis.  Application Deadline: There are no application deadlines for this program. Learn more about the PReP program dates and deadlines by clicking the link.

Summer Lando/NSF REU  The Summer Lando/NSF REU is for outstanding national and international undergraduate students. It is designed to encourage students in the chemical sciences to learn more about research in chemistry, and provide them with the opportunity to work in a lab under the direction of a faculty member. We offer a variety of professional and social events for participants throughout the summer. Application Deadline: February 2, 2024.

The Lillehei Heart Institute - Summer Research Program  The LHI SRP offers annual summer research scholarships in basic science research related to cardiovascular disease. These highly competitive, prestigious scholarships are designed to expose highly qualified students to several disciplines within cardiovascular disease research and its clinical applications.  Application Deadline: February 1, 2024.

The NCED Research Experience for Undergraduates on Sustainable Land and Water Resources  The program is open to undergraduate students majoring in civil engineering, geosciences, ecology, mathematics, or related fields. We encourage applications from students of all genders who are Native American, tribal college students, community college students, non-traditional students, veterans, students who have been historically under-represented in their discipline and students who are first-generation college students. Application Deadline: February 5, 2024.

Minnesota’s Discovery, Research, and InnoVation Economy   Through a collaboration between the North Star STEM Alliance and MnDRIVE, our students may participate in paid research internships with MnDRIVE researchers. MnDRIVE is Minnesota’s Discovery, Research, and InnoVation Economy, a partnership between the University of Minnesota and the State of Minnesota that aligns areas of research strength with the state’s key and emerging industries to address grand challenges. North Star students may apply for research in one of many research topics within three areas: Global Food Ventures, Environment, and Brain Conditions.  Application Deadline: March 11, 2024.

MRSEC Research Experiences for Undergraduates The University of Minnesota's Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) program provides summer undergraduate research opportunities in science and engineering. Visit their website for more information. Application Deadline: February 15, 2024.

Summer Research Opportunities at Other Institutions

Augsburg University's Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO) The Office of Undergraduate Research and Graduate Opportunity (URGO) connects students with both new and existing research and scholarship on campus, across the U.S., and internationally. Each summer over 30 Augsburg students participate in URGO’s 11-week research program on campus, while others pursue research opportunities off campus at institutions such as Harvard, Mayo Clinic, and the University of Minnesota. Application Deadline: February 12, 2024.

Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry of the Environment Summer The Center for Aerosol Impacts on Chemistry of the Environment (CAICE) focuses on improving our understanding of how aerosol particles influences the environment, air quality, and climate. Students have the chance to choose from CAICE labs located across the U.S. where they can conduct exciting hands-on scientific research, receive graduate school preparation, and attend field trips.  Application Deadline: Now Closed.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURE) @ The University of Wisconsin-Madison  With the College of Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, participants will spend 10 weeks conducting laboratory research in an area of engineering or the physical sciences. Students are exposed to other research available on campus through weekly meetings and faculty seminars, and participate in social activities with current graduate students. At the conclusion of the program, students submit their research paper and present their research in an interdisciplinary poster session.  Application Deadline: February 17, 2024.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURE) @ Georgia Tech  This program is for rising juniors and rising seniors from any U.S. based college of university (who will not have graduated by May 2019) in a computing, engineering, science, or other technology major.  Application Deadline: February 15, 2024.

NSF - Interdisciplinary Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in Nanotechnology and Biomedicine  The University of Georgia focuses on hands-on and interdisciplinary research experience at the interface of nanotechnology and biomedicine. More than 30 faculty participants from the College of Engineering, College of Arts and Science, and Medical School inspire students by creating an atmosphere of collaboration and creativity. Students will participate in interdisciplinary research projects that apply nanotechnology to specific biomedical problems. Each REU student will be co-mentored by paired faculty from the nanotechnology and biomedical disciplines on a collaborative research project.  Application Deadline: February 18, 2024.

The Amgen Scholars Program  National program to increase research opportunities for students committed to pursuing careers in the sciences.  Application Deadline: February 1, 2024.

Interactive Biomaterials REU Program  Collaborative research on the campuses of Syracuse University, Upstate Medical University and SUNY ESF for students majoring in science or engineering.  Application Deadline: March 1, 2024.

Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Program (CSURP) CSURP is a program for undergraduate students with an interest in majoring in chemistry or chemical engineering and would like experience in conducting supervised summer research. The program is supported by the NSF Center for Selective C-H Functionalization (CCHF), which is a network of 22 academic research laboratories at 15 partnering institutions throughout the country. The CCHF is one of eight National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Centers for Chemical Innovation. Application Deadline: February 8, 2024.

Integrated Bioengineering REU - NSF @ Worcester Polytechnic Institute  The WPI REU Site in Bioengineering research offers students an opportunity to join one of many interdisciplinary research teams for a summer research project. Examples of the types of research projects REU participants will purse include tissue engineering, disease modeling, wound healing, and low-cost medical devices. In addition to carrying out cutting-edge research, REU participants will attend weekly professional development seminars and workshops. Application Deadline: TBA

Opportunities at National Laboratories

Explore for internships and research funding opportunities. Some programs are for the summer only, but there are also semester and year-round options.

• Ames National Laboratory Ames, IA
• Brookhaven National Laboratory Long Island, NY
• Fermi National Laboratory Batavia, IL
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge, TN
• Argonne National Laboratory Lemont, IL
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland, WA
• Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Princeton, NJ 
• SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Menlo Park, CA 
• Idaho National Laboratory Idaho Falls, ID 
• National Energy Technology Laboratory  Morgantown, WV & Pittsburgh, PA & Albany, OR
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory Golden, CO
• Savannah River National Laboratory  Aiken, SC 
• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Livermore, CA 
• Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos, NM
• Sandia National Laboratory Albuquerque, NM & Livermore, CA 

Federally Funded REU Opportunities

• NSF has a directory of Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) available Students should go to this link and then apply directly to the REU Site, not to NSF. Application deadlines dependent on specific opportunity. 
• Pathways to Science Over 800 programs (including oceans sciences and engineering) – REU, NASA and other paid summer research opportunities for undergrads available through Pathways to Science. Also, resources on graduate school, webinars for community college students transferring to four year institutions, and more. Application deadlines dependent on specific opportunity. 
• Oak Ridge Institute For Science and Education Are you an undergraduate student currently pursuing a bachelor's degree and looking for an opportunity to enhance your education. in a STEM-related discipline? The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education administers a variety of STEM internship and fellowship programs for undergraduate students at national laboratories and federal research facilities across the United States. Application deadlines dependent on specific opportunity.   
• Nebraska Summer Research Program  Offers research opportunities in Applied Mathematics, Biochemistry, Bioenergy Systems, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Microbiology, Minority Health Disparities, Nanotechnology, Optics and Laser Physics, Redox Biology, and Virology. Application Deadline: March 1, 2024. 

Summer Research at NIH

• NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)  
• NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program  

Regional Opportunities

• Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC):  The consortium of Big Ten member institutions plus the University of Chicago, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Nebraska sponsor undergraduate research experiences for students from around the nation.  Interested students can apply to any of the host institutions with one application.  Application deadlines dependent on specific opportunity.   
• Mayo Clinic - Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) The Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers a 10-week Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) experience for undergraduates wanting to build their skills as young scientists. As a summer fellow, you will be immersed in research opportunities. You'll gain valuable experience in the lab and work closely with your mentor on a research project designed specifically for summer students. Application Deadline: February 1, 2024. 

Internship Opportunities

• Urban Scholars Leadership and Professional Development Program  Urban Scholars is a leadership and professional development internship program providing students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds with distinctive professional experience. Focused on essential leadership skills and creating resume-building career pathways, Urban Scholars is training the next generation of leaders.  Application Deadline: February 23, 2024.
• Long Term Ecological Research Plant Community Ecology Internships The Cedar Creek Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTER) has several opportunities for students to work as plant community ecology interns. As a research intern, you will contribute to ongoing field experiments, may have the opportunity to initiate individual research, attend scientific seminars, and interact with professors, post-docs, and graduate students. Application deadlines dependent on specific opportunity.  

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Extracurriculars.

6 Summer Programs in Minnesota for High Schoolers

​​ what’s covered:, why summer programs are beneficial for high schoolers, how do summer programs impact your college chances.

You probably don’t need to be told that the admissions process is competitive at top schools. Still, there are ways of standing out from the crowd that also double as helpful indicators of the type of college experience you might want. Also known as pre-college programs, summer programs are intensive academic camps where students can expand their skills in a given discipline while adding to their applicant profiles. Enrolling in these camps is a great way to show colleges you’re academically-driven and serious about a career in your chosen major.

At CollegeVine, we’re passionate about finding talented high schoolers the best Minnesota summer programs to help them achieve their goals. Here are six great pre-college programs you may want to consider this summer:

A pre-college program provides you with the chance to find positive role models to support you on your college journeys. Along with meeting peers who share your interest, you have the chance to interact with tenured professors and current college students. Additionally, you could possibly tour workplaces and interact with industry professionals, gaining inspiration from their hard work and achievements. And who knows? You may even find a mentor who could guide you on their academic journey and help with your job search after graduation. 

Of course, summer programs aren’t just for students who have already chosen a career path. On the contrary, these programs can help you identify potential fields of study and explore academic subjects that you maybe haven’t considered yet. After all, just because you don’t enjoy your high school algebra class doesn’t mean you aren’t destined for a career in STEM. Summer programs offer a unique opportunity to see what’s available prior to committing to a major.

1. Summer Speech and Debate Camp

Dates: June 20-July 9

Location: Augsburg University

Application deadline: June 5

Do you love debate and public speaking? Are you interested in going into politics or government? If so, you would enjoy Augsburg University’s Speech and Debate Camp. This camp allows you to develop, practice, and hone your skills for research, argumentation, advocacy, and debate. Over the course of the program you will learn in a variety of settings including seminars, labs, group discussions, and guest lectures. The camp is offered both on campus and online, and there is financial support available for students on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. Summer Mathematics Institute

Dates: June 26-July 1

Application deadline: May 15

Students who are happiest with a graphing calculator in hand — and those who want to learn more about careers in math — should consider Augsburg’s Summer Mathematics Institute. During this week-long residential program, rising sophomores through seniors will explore the Theory of Equations while developing their talent for solving problems likely to appear on the MSHSML, AMC, AIME, and ARML tests. Interested candidates should complete Algebra II prior to applying and be passionate about studying higher-level math.

3. Scrubs Camp

Dates: Various

Location: Various

Application deadline: Various

Cost: $0-$465 (depending on location and specific program)

If you envision a future in a healthcare field, consider enrolling in one of the Scrubs Camps, located at multiple colleges throughout the state of Minnesota. During this summer course, talented high schoolers will have the chance to learn from full-time professors and current college students. Additionally, they’ll be able to tour local healthcare facilities, networking with doctors and dentists. Along with exploring various healthcare careers, the program will offer tips on different educational pathways to success. Program dates, the length of the program, location, and cost all vary depending on which camp you choose, but all offer you a great chance to experience a career in medicine. 

4. Summer Computer Science Institute

Dates: July 10-29

Location: Carleton College

Application deadline: March 7

Cost: $4,300

Aspiring computer scientists, programmers, or engineers may want to consider the Summer Computer Science Institute at Carleton College. During this three-week program, students will develop their skills through a combination of classroom instruction, lab activities, and guided research. Not only will you have the chance to learn from full-time faculty members, but you’ll also be able to interact with current college students in the computer science field. The program concludes with an SCSI Research Symposium in which students share the results of their research with peers. In addition to a rich academic experience, you will live in Carleton dorms and have access to campus facilities to get a true sense of college life.

5. MCAD’s Pre-College Summer Session

Dates: July 7-24

Location: Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Application deadline: April 22

Cost: $3,300

Artistically minded students will be drawn to this program from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Along with developing your skills in studio art, you will hone their understanding of design principles and practice their critical thinking during this two-week course. As a bonus, participants will have the chance to interact with and learn from professional artists working in a variety of mediums. To apply for the Pre-College Summer Session, submit a one-page essay explaining how the program will help you realize your goals, along with five to 10 digital images of your work. The best samples showcase both the student’s technical aptitude and their conceptual talent. 

6. ThreeSixty Journalism

Location: University of St. Thomas

Application deadline: March 31

Cost: $500-$950 (some programs offer $590 equity stipends upon completion)

If you are passionate about communicating via the written word, consider the ThreeSixty Journalism program, available at the University of St. Thomas. Applicants can choose to attend one-week, two-week, or three-week programs focused on the art of writing and reporting. Additionally, the program strives to help Minnesota students from diverse backgrounds tell stories specific to their lives and experiences. To apply, submit a reference, a non-fiction writing sample, and your response to the following essay question: Why do you want to participate in the ThreeSixty Journalism summer camp? 

Some summer programs are more competitive than others, requiring letters of recommendation and standardized test scores, while other programs are open to all students within a particular grade level. Consequently, some summer programs are given more weight in college admissions than others.  

The four tiers of extracurricular activities are a good way to understand how colleges value activities outside of the classroom, like summer programs. The most impressive, prestigious, rare, and influential activities are placed in the top two tiers. A good example of a top-tier Minnesota summer program is the super-selective Summer Computer Science Institute. 

Lower-tier extracurricular activities don’t hold the same sway with admissions offices, however, they are often still valuable. Less-selective and esteemed programs still show off your interests to potential colleges while highlighting your desire to pursue your passions. Many field-specific activities also help build the skills you need to ace everything from the essays to interviews you’ll encounter in the college application process. 

Curious how the summer program you participated in affects your odds of college admission? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors including grades, test scores, and extracurriculars to estimate your odds of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.

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Video: Career Immersion Program

Career Immersion Program (Minnesota)

Program description.

Discover what a career in healthcare looks like and get an exclusive inside look at a wide range of healthcare careers. You are invited to apply to be a part of a talented group of diverse, Minnesota high school incoming juniors and seniors at our Career Immersion Program offered June 23-27, 2024.

During this program, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences will pull back the curtain and share insights and information about several careers most students don’t even know exist.

The program includes:

• Discovery about the most in-demand careers in healthcare
• Connecting with health sciences professionals, including Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences students, staff, and faculty
• Understanding the academic path for enrolling in health sciences programs
• Learning and interactive sessions in college classrooms and labs
• Gaining knowledge on what professionalism is in the healthcare setting
• Networking with other students
• Housing and meals
• Transportation from a central location to and from Mayo Clinic

There are dozens of careers in healthcare. Some you have definitely heard of, like doctors and nurses; but there are many careers you may not know of, like radiographers who help patients and take X-rays, and respiratory therapists who work with patients who have trouble breathing.

While Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences does not train physicians and nurses, the school offers training in over 50 health sciences professions.

Who should apply

Each year, we seek to enroll a diverse group of rising high school juniors and seniors in Minnesota who are ready to explore important careers in healthcare apart from a doctor, nurse, or scientist. Applications are therefore taken from current sophomores and juniors (2023-2024 academic year) in public, private, charter, or home-based high schools, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

In order to establish a group of Career Immersion Program students that reflects both the organization Mayo Clinic seeks to be and the patients we serve, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences especially encourages applications from students who belong to any of the following groups:

• Future first-generation college students or students enrolled in TRIO, Upward Bound, and College Possible
• Black or African-American
• Hispanic or Latino
• American Indian or Alaska Native
• Native Hawaiian or U.S. Pacific Islander

Program expectations

Admitted students are expected to:

• Submit all required paperwork by the deadline as noted in the admission letter
• Be available to participate in the program the entire week
• Make the program aware of any accommodations needed
• Abide by the code of conduct established by the program

How to apply

Applications are accepted each year from Jan. 1 through March 15 . Your application and all supporting documentation must be submitted and received by Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences by 11:59 p.m. CT on March 15.

We highly encourage you to print these instructions or have them on another screen as you complete your application. The application works best completed on a PC.

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply:

• Create an account to begin the online  Application for Admission
• Select - Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
• Select - Career Immersion Program
• Complete each section of the application and submit
• After submission, view the required Supplemental Items and Documents
• Upload each required item in the Supplemental Items section
• Complete the Recommendation Request section

Additional required items

• Describe your interest in and what you know of allied health careers (careers that do not include doctors, surgeons, nurses, or researchers), and why you would be a good candidate to learn more about these careers in the program.
• Transcripts. Upload your most current transcript (unofficial transcripts will be accepted). Applicants should request an unofficial copy of their transcript from a counselor or school official. We cannot accept uploads from online grade books.
• Educational reference. Choose a person familiar with your educational qualifications and your potential for success in the Career Immersion Program. This may include a current teacher, counselor, coach, or principal.

Note: If you don't complete these at the time of submission, visit your "My Account" page and navigate to your application for a link to complete.

The selection committee carefully reviews each application. Individuals considered for admission into the program will be contacted for a short interview in early spring.

2021-2023 average representation percentage of Career Immersion Program students

American Indian students

Asian students

Black students

Hispanic students

White students

Students with two or more races

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Phone: 507-284-3745 Email: [email protected]

2024 program

Program dates: June 23-27, 2024 Applications accepted: Jan. 1-March 15

High School Students Thrive as Researchers

Authentic exploratory research hones students’ investigation and analysis skills..

Posted April 1, 2024 | Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer

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This post is Part I in a series.

I got to speak with students at Laguna Beach High School (LBHS) recently when giving a career talk there. They kept asking me advanced questions about conducting studies, writing, and science, and they spoke with passion about their own research projects. I was taken aback by how much these high school teens sounded like my adult college students and peers. They kept mentioning “AER”, and I had to learn more.

LBHS’s Authentic Exploratory Research (AER) Program is an independent research course inspired by Palo Alto Unified School District’s Advanced Authentic Research Program. In AER, students are paired with adult mentors (such as LBUSD staff, industry experts, and academics) who assist the teens in researching their own big questions in fields of their choice. Students spend about 60 hours per semester on coursework that includes both instruction and working on each project itself.

No such courses were offered at LBHS when I graduated there back in 1990, and I wonder how much sooner I could have enjoyed my career as a researcher if I had gotten to participate in AER as a youth. Though the program was introduced in 2019 by Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) Superintendent Jason Viloria, Ed.D., Jun Shen is the passionate teacher and edtech coordinator who runs it. I had the pleasure of partnering with Shen for an interview series where we’ll first explore how AER works before hearing from students about their experiences with AER honing skills for future success. Students’ feedback (in interviews to follow) and Shen’s answers (which follow each question below) can help others implement such a program.

Jenny Grant Rankin: What were the biggest challenges to implementing a successful AER program, and how did you tackle them?

Jun Shen: The biggest ongoing challenge is to find the balance between respecting the students’ individual freedom in their projects on one hand, and on the other, closely managing the students so they’d make adequate progress. Tackling this is an iterative process. Through the last four years, I have tried many different methods like online journaling, different grading rubrics and requirements, different communication protocols, and it seems to be steadily getting better.

JGR: When pairing students with adult mentors, how do you find and secure mentors who are appropriate for students' different interests?

JS: We have a dedicated Mentor Coordinator for AER, at first the ASB Director Jennifer Lundblad, then our District’s Career Education Coordinator Kellee Shearer. After students register for AER in March, we interview them in April and May to get a good feel for their field of interest, and Kellee spends the summer finding them mentors.

JGR: When speaking to your students about AER, I was impressed by the sophistication with which they discussed their studies. What was the most powerful strategy you used to help high schoolers understand research concepts that are hard for even college students to grasp?

JS: Most AER students are definitely wise beyond their years but I can’t claim credit for this one. It’s definitely a team effort, with a splash of selection bias thrown in. Most (though not all) students who take on the challenge of AER are already high-performing and highly-motivated students; thus, they’ve already learned a lot of the research and analysis skills in some of their other upper-level classes. In addition to that, we have a full-time Library Media Specialist, first Stephanie Gamache then Glen Warren, who works with the students to help them find what they need. Their mentor is another obviously valuable asset. As for me, I do very little whole-group, one-size-fits-all instruction about research and data analysis. Most of the students’ research methodologies are created individually with my advice.

JGR: What can you tell educators who are nervous about giving students so much independence and freedom in a course?

JS: First, be curious. If you love learning new things, then you’ll have a great time with your students as you explore some obscure topics together. The more you communicate that you’re personally invested in their study, the harder they will work with you. Second, it won’t be perfect your first year and that’s OK. Looking back, my first year running AER was rather lackluster, with a sizable portion of students dropping out or barely finishing their projects. Every year we learn our lessons and improve the course for the following year. Third, don’t reinvent the wheel. We based our program on Palo Alto USD’s program and, year after year, have modified it to suit our culture and needs. Start with their or our curriculum and see where it leads you.

JGR: What else should readers know about AER?

JS: It’s one of the highlights of my career. I’ve always been that kid who watched as many Discovery Channel Documentaries as I could because I loved learning about everything. I never thought that I’d get to geek out with kids about Aerospace Engineering and Fashion Design in a high school teaching job!

I’ve always been that kid, too. It’s heartwarming to learn how AER can be as rewarding for staff as it is for students, who we’ll hear from next. To continue reading, look for Part II.

Jenny Grant Rankin, Ph.D., is a Fulbright Specialist for the U.S. Department of State.

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Findings from the Field: Students and Professionals Connect at Research Symposium

On March 18, 2024, 65 middle and high school scientists gathered at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) in Portland, Maine to share their science research projects with one another and with professional scientists from GMRI, Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS), and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. GMRI is the anchor institution for the NASA Science Activation Program's Learning Ecosystems Northeast (LENE) project, which supports Findings from the Field , a journal of student scientific research. Annually, youth submitting research to the journal have the opportunity to come together to share their work during the Student Research Symposium.

This year, student and professional scientists alike prepared and delivered lightning talks and discussed their research during poster sessions. This year’s symposium featured student research on invasive green crabs, smelt population estimates using eDNA technology, climate impacts on bees and blueberries, ocean plastics, and more. Presentations by five early career scientists from GMRI and MWOBS provided an opportunity for youth to talk with near-peer role models. The program featured a scientific talk by Brandon Rodriguez from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory that inspired youth to think about the breadth of possibilities for working in planetary science. It was an exciting day for all, topped off with evening news coverage on three local television channels! Volume 7 of Findings from the Field will be released later this spring after students complete the journal’s peer review process and polish up their pieces for publication.

Odin Bravo from Baxter Academy in Portland, Maine, said, "I plan on going into science for my career, so being able to do something outside of school like this is very helpful to get me ready and to get feedback to make me better."

The Learning Ecosystems Northeast project is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AB94A and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. To learn more, visit: https://science.nasa.gov/sciact-team/gmri/

Related Terms

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• Science Activation

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All Minnesota public school students can access free mental health care

Here’s how to do it, and how it’s saving lives.

By Sheila Mulrooney Eldred | Sahan Journal

This story comes to you from  Sahan Journal   through a partnership with MPR News.

In 2000, few of Minnesota’s public school students had access to mental health therapy within the school building. Today, over half of students do. 

A  new study , published in the Journal of Human Resources, quantifies how many lives these embedded therapists may have saved. Researchers calculated that suicide attempts decreased by 15 percent across 263 Hennepin County schools that implemented school-based mental health. 

Health officials want families to know that students can access mental health services at school, whether or not they can pay. In-school mental health looks different from district to district, and even from school to school. And high demand can lead to long waiting times. But state grants ensure that over 1,000 Minnesota public schools provide therapy in their buildings.

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Farah Hussein, a mental health therapist, says that her team at South High School, in Minneapolis, tries to make sure that students get equitable access to therapy. We asked Hussein for more details on exactly how students and families can access the services; her answers are below.

Earlier evaluations of school-based mental health had shown promise, but the Minnesota researchers believe this new study is one of the first to employ rigorous statistical methods.

The results are “incredibly encouraging,” said the study’s lead author,  Ezra Golberstein , who studies the economics of mental health, and mental health care policy as an associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. 

“There are countless examples of promising programs that, when rigorously evaluated, don’t seem to be doing as much as we hoped,” Golberstein said. “In this case, we have very meaningful results, particularly for suicidality and increased rates of mental health services use.”

The researchers made their calculations using data from Medicaid and the Minnesota Student Survey, which includes self-reports of suicidality. Researchers were able to examine that data  during the time period that Hennepin County launched school-based mental health programs. 

“We realized we could look at what the effects are when schools implement this model,” Golberstein said. 

Still, the results were more of a relief than a surprise. 

Mark Sander  has been working with Hennepin County and Minneapolis Public Schools since the beginning of the mental health program in 2005. (In Hennepin County, therapists usually share space with a school-based medical clinic — but the location of therapists’ offices varies by school, district and county.)

Sander and other program coordinators had already estimated that about half the students seeking therapy at school were getting mental health treatment for the first time. And of those, about 40 percent were severely emotionally disturbed, Sander said.

“These were kids who were potentially at risk for out-of-home placement in the next year,” Sander said: kids could be referred to foster care or in-patient hospital care. “It wasn’t just the worried well”–that is,  people who may be unnecessarily anxious. “It was students who couldn’t get into community-based care.”

Black and brown youth benefit most from school-based mental health care

The new study confirms that Black and brown youth showed the greatest increase in using school-based mental health services. And the researchers found some evidence that increased access to therapy is linked to fewer suspensions and juvenile justice involvement.

“We work hard to prioritize families who have been historically marginalized,” said Farah Hussein, from South High School. “We try to reach those students and families who typically would not have access to these services. We work with school counselors and social workers; they are teasing out families who are extra-resourced vs. families who are not able to access services.”

Often, that’s because of socio-economic status or cultural stigma, Farah said. 

Despite some positive findings in the study, increased access to mental health care didn’t show benefits in every area of schooling. For example, kids with access to in-school mental health did not seem to fare better on test scores or attend school more often. 

But Sander hopes that the study will help more cities, counties and schools get funding for services — especially since these new school-based services often can’t keep up with the demand. 

“There’s a lot of need in all the schools,” Farah said. Minneapolis Public Schools has two therapists at each of its  School-Based Clinic sites , up from one. But kids often have to be waitlisted before receiving treatment, Farah said.

How school-based mental health works

Students can see therapists for everything from major mental health conditions (such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and trauma) to less urgent issues (such as poor concentration in school, conflict with peers, or transitions in life), Farah said. Therapists work collaboratively with school counselors and social workers. Teachers are often the first to identify a student who would benefit from therapy. 

Want to know more? We posed common questions that students and families may have to Farah at South High School.  Her answers, below, have been lightly edited 

The programs work similarly at all public schools in Hennepin County. If you’re outside of Hennepin County, see if your school offers services  here . School principals, social workers or counselors should be able to answer any school-specific questions.

FAQ for students

Question: i haven’t been feeling like getting out of bed. when can i come and talk to a therapist do i need an appointment .

Farah:  You can walk in and ask about mental health services. It’s called self-referral. The assistant at the front desk will see if we’re available immediately. And then we’ll explain our services, go over our informed mental health consent form and talk about next steps.

Or, you can meet with your school counselor if you already have a relationship with that person. Then they will assess and refer you to us if needed.

I’m a high school junior stressed out about college. Whom should I talk to? 

If you’re not already seeing a therapist at school, you would want to connect with your school counselor. School counselors are doing a lot of the academic planning and college planning, so when a question like that comes up, you would want to talk to that counselor. 

Do I need to tell my parents about asking to see a therapist in school?

As of this year there’s a minor mental health consent form. So, if you’re 16 or older, you can consent to your own mental health treatment. If you feel really uncomfortable with your parents knowing–-if there is significant cultural stigma around therapy or you wouldn’t be safe at home with your parents knowing—you can consent to your own treatment and we don’t need to talk to your parents. [Editor’s note: If you’re under 16, parents need to consent to treatment.]

The student is the primary client, but oftentimes young people are OK with their parents knowing. And we can do family therapy if the students and parents are open to it.

If you’re in serious danger of harming yourself or someone else, or if you are being abused or have been abused (verbally, emotionally, physically or sexually) within the past three years, we are legally and ethically bound to break confidentiality. 

I don’t have health insurance. How much will an appointment cost?

Our services are no cost, although if your family has private insurance and is able to pay something, we will bill insurance. If it’s a high copay you can’t pay, we pay it — we don’t put that burden on families. And not having insurance is not a barrier for seeking our services.

Our services are no cost, although if your family has private insurance and is able to pay something, we will bill insurance. If it’s a high copay you can’t pay, we pay it. - Farah Hussein, mental health therapist at South High School, in Minneapolis

How long will I have to wait for an appointment? What if I need to see someone today?

If we are not full, we follow up within 1-2 weeks. If we are full, we are communicating with the support team, and it becomes the responsibility of the school’s social workers and counselors in connecting you to community services.

FAQ for parents

I’m worried about my student. can i make an appointment for them .

Parents can refer their children. That is absolutely an option. 

If my student talks to you, can you tell me about it?

We are not sharing details about what we talk about unless we have a safety concern. 

We do like to involve parents to the extent that it is possible and necessary, but we are not sharing details about everything we talk about in therapy. In order to respect the privacy of our students to trust us, we’re not calling parents and divulging details of what happened in therapy. 

We won’t share things about a student’s identity or whether or not they’re in a relationship without their consent. 

But we often do encourage our students to share things with their parents. 

How long can my student keep seeing you? Do they have to transfer somewhere else eventually?

We work year round, we’re not off for winter break, spring break. Even when school is done in mid-June we continue seeing students as needed: either at school, if the building is open;  or telehealth; or in-home; or at a park near their home. Students can be on our caseload for as long as feels appropriate. 

Seniors can see us until the end of August after their senior year. And if they still want to do therapy we connect them with someone in the community or their college. 

How much class will my student miss?

We schedule appointments so they don’t always have to miss the same class, although teachers are very supportive and they are excused from class. We do offer before and after school appointments, too. 

What if I don’t speak English?

I speak Somali, so I am able to explain the process in Somali. We also have a Spanish-speaking family liaison I have worked with. 

And schools can use the language line to communicate with parents who don’t speak the same language as school staff.

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hUMNs of Chemistry #13

Gwen Bailey 

Sher/her Assistant Professor

Tell us about your journey to the University of Minnesota.

I became fascinated with synthetic chemistry as an intern at Tekmira Pharmaceuticals (now Arbutus Biopharm) in Burnaby, BC. It struck me as so powerful that humans could manipulate matter in order to make and break bonds and create compounds with new chemical compositions and properties. Later in third-year inorganic chemistry class, I became fascinated with the chemistry of metals, and the rest of my career has been devoted to pursuing this passion. Like many others in my discipline, I was motivated by the desire to learn and develop new knowledge by carrying out experimental research. I was also passionate about sustainability and soon realized that I could use my knowledge of inorganic chemistry to contribute to more sustainable synthesis and energy solutions. My excitement for this topic is what drove me to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Ottawa (fun fact: Canada's only officially bilingual institution!) and then a postdoc at Caltech. 

We would love to hear more about your research! What do you hope to accomplish with this work? What is the real-world impact for the average person?

Our research is focused on development of atomically precise nanocluster systems that mimic the structure and reactivity of heterogeneous electrocatalysts. By preparing these discrete compounds and evaluating them in solution environments, we can precisely pinpoint important mechanistic information including the site of substrate binding, delocalization of charge, and the dynamic reconfiguration of bonds that leads to substrate turnover. Our cluster systems not only capture the capabilities of heterogeneous electrocatalysts in a discrete model but they go one step beyond these capabilities in that they have a high density of active sites and are precisely tunable in their steric environment and electronic structure according to well-defined structure-property relationships. Overall, we hope to develop new approaches to catalysis using our atomically precise nanocluster systems and ultimately contribute solutions to solve climate change, for example by developing methods for synthesizing commodity chemicals on large scale using abundant feedstocks (like CO2) and renewable electricity. 

What courses do you teach? What can students expect to get out of your course?

I teach advanced inorganic chemistry classes (CHEM 4745/8745 and 4715/8715) and introductory general chemistry (CHEM 1061). I love talking to students and drawing them into deep conversations about the properties and study of matter! I believe that education is accessible to anyone with a good work ethic and growth mindset, and my teaching style reflects this philosophy. Activities in my classes are split between short, interactive lectures and small-group activities where students go deep with the material through problem-solving and discussion. Students in my classes can expect to be challenged intellectually and ultimately rewarded with new ways of thinking about challenging scientific concepts. 

What do you hope to contribute to the chemistry community at the University?

Beyond the science, I hope to reflect that chemistry is something that is accessible and practicable for all, and that teamwork and mentorship are integral to the practice. Also, I hope to provide opportunities for students to grow their personal, interpersonal, and scientific abilities through the practice of science and through participation in conferences and other programming. 

What do you do outside of the classroom/lab/office for fun?

I am pretty much obsessed with training my body for better health and longevity. I have enjoyed reading books such as "Outlive" by Peter Attia that have focused my efforts in these areas. My current exercise program includes regular zone 2 training (cycling/walking), interval training, strength training, and (mostly for fun) bouldering. 

John Beumer

Senior Designer, Center for Sustainable Polymers

Please give a brief description of your role within the UMN Chemistry department.

I am the Senior Designer for the Center For Sustainable Polymers. My day-to-day tasks include creating artwork for publication, managing the website, and leading our monthly research meetings. 

Before coming to the University of Minnesota I was a design consultant for Pentair and Bright Health in the Twin Cities. In addition, I spent a fair amount of time in the nonprofit world leading marketing and communications efforts. 

What’s your favorite piece of chemistry/science pop culture media? Why do you love it?

I remember visiting the Bell Museum for a CSP Annual Meeting years ago and we got to see closeup images of the Mars surface in their Planetarium. It is so special to live in a time when we get to see images from another planet. And I am equally excited to see what the Mars Perseverance rover returns to us in 2033.

Where is your favorite spot in the Twin Cities?

The Prospect Park Water Tower is a favorite spot. It is currently in the process of renovation but my guess is that they will have limited access to the tower again in a couple of years. It is a great place to get a birds eye view of Minneapolis. 

Emily Robinson

She/her Graduate Student, Buhlmann Group

I am a Minnesotan, born and raised! I went to college and got my chemistry degree at the University of Minnesota Morris, which is part of the U system but out in the middle of western Minnesota, in 2020. I also studied for a semester at the University of Limerick in Ireland for a semester studying chemical nanotechnology. I applied for graduate school all over the US but UMN was one of the few schools felt I could thrive in. I loved the atmosphere and people I met.

We would love to hear more about your research interests! What do you hope to accomplish with this work? What is the real-world impact for the average person?

I work on the development of ion-selective electrodes. Ion detection is vital for medical analysis, environmental monitoring, and industrial applications. think of ions such as chloride and potassium, for medical purposes such as to assess kidney function, and nitrate and arsenate, common environmental pollutants. While there is equipment that can detect there ions, many of them are costly, require complex instrumentation with trained professionals, and are not time-efficient. Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) are my are an great alternative, they have high selectivity, sensitivity, and versatility. They also overcome the limits that many other instruments have, being relatively small, easy to handle, and give fast response times. These factors are critical for point of care, for rapid test results, and for deployable, wearable, and implantable devices. For these applications, sensors not only need to be dependable for short periods but for days or even years. That is why I have pushed the boundaries of ISE systems to develop exceedingly stable sensing and reference electrodes that can be used to meet the needs of the medical, environmental, and industrial fields today.

Are you involved in any student groups? What inspired you to get involved?

I am currently the co-president for the Joint Safety Team! I have always been a big proponent of lab safety culture and when the opportunity came up, I thought why not? I have been able to work with other lab safety teams throughout the US and we recently submitted a paper on LSO programs as well as were accepted to host a symposium at ACS fall on lab safety culture. Lab safety is something that affects everyone, whether it be on big or small scales, and I am very happy to have been able to be a part of that here.

We keep a garden on our patio that I (try to) help take care of and I am always down for an easy hike in the fall.

Black Coffee & Waffle Bar

Tell us about who makes up your household (including pets).

Our household is myself, my partner Zach who does cancer research at UMN, and our adorable grey tuxedo cat Beatrice

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