Program structured by grades

9th Grade, Year 1: Exploration and Skill Development

• Introduction to Research: Students begin by learning the foundations of scientific research, including the scientific method, ethics in research, and how to identify credible sources.

• Topic Selection: They explore diverse fields of science to identify an area of personal interest, such as environmental science, biology, physics, or data science.

• Literature Review: Students learn to find, read, and annotate peer-reviewed journal articles, building the critical skill of dissecting complex scientific studies.

• Research Question Formation: By the end of the year, students formulate a well-defined research question based on their interests and gaps identified in the literature.

10th Grade, Year 2: Mentorship and Experimental Design

• Finding a Mentor: Students are guided to connect with professionals, such as university professors or industry scientists, who can provide mentorship in their chosen field.

• Experimental Planning: With their mentors, students design a research plan, considering variables, methodologies, and statistical analyses.

• Initial Research: Students may start conducting preliminary experiments, data collection, or computational modeling under their mentor's supervision.

11th & 12th Grade, Year 3 & Year 4: Conducting Research, Analyzing Data, and Presentations

• Execution of Research: This is the most hands-on phase, where students carry out experiments, collect data, and troubleshoot unexpected challenges.

• Data Analysis: Students analyze their results using statistical tools and software, learning to interpret data and draw meaningful conclusions.

• Refinement: With feedback from mentors and peers, students refine their methods and deepen their understanding of their topic.

• Writing the Final Paper: Students compile their research into a formal paper, often modeled after academic journal articles, including abstract, introduction, methods, results, and discussion sections.

• Presenting Findings: Students showcase their work at regional, national, or even international science fairs, symposiums, and conferences, such as the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

• Reflection and Growth: Throughout this year, students reflect on their journey, growth, and the skills they've gained, preparing for college-level research.