Polygence Pods: 6-Week Group Research Programs for High Schoolers

What are Polygence Pods?

6 Sessions

A condensed timeframe allows students to fit a Pod into their busy schedules while still building their foundational knowledge in a topic they're curious about.

Group Learning

Learn in a small group with other students who share your interest, guided by an expert who helps you understand the material and think through it.

Apply Your Knowledge

Each Pod ends with a final deliverable, where students apply what they’ve learned and work through the material in their own way.

Test Your Interests

Pods are a way to explore new subjects, understand how they work, and decide what you want to learn more about.

See upcoming Pods!

Are Pods Right For You?

Polygence Pods are great for students who need more experience or topic exploration before embarking on a 1-on-1 research project. This might be a starting point for research if you:

Want to learn foundational concepts in cutting-edge subjects

Are curious about a field and need to explore more to find a specific topic of interest

Need a lower commitment option but want to get started as soon as possible

Are looking to do a course, rather than a unique project.

Choose Your Pod

Browse the available topics before and click “Learn more & Apply” to see all the available summer start dates. Our fall schedule will be released in the coming weeks — signup for the waitlist for the topic you're interested in, and you’ll be the first to know when new dates are released!

Select a category

Understanding Dementia: Exploring neurodegenerative disease through real world case studies

Next cohort January 10, 2027

1 cohort has open seats

Backboards & Dashboards: Using analytics to understand sports performance

Next cohort January 11, 2027

1 cohort has open seats

Writing Fundamentals for College Preparedness: Crafting Argumentative Essays for 13-14 year olds [Lunar New Year Condensed Pod]

Next cohort January 26, 2027

1 cohort has open seats

Neuroscience and Emotions: how are internal states generated and shaped? [Lunar New Year Condensed Pod]

Next cohort January 29, 2027

1 cohort has open seats

Cells Gone Rogue: Understanding the Biology of Cancer and potential treatments [Lunar New Year Condensed Pod]

Next cohort February 2, 2027

1 cohort has open seats

AI in STEM: How Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing Science and Engineering [Lunar New Year Condensed Pod]

Next cohort February 2, 2027

1 cohort has open seats

From Idea to Investment: Exploring Venture Capital and Startup Success [Lunar New Year Condensed Pod]

Next cohort February 3, 2027

1 cohort has open seats

Coming soon

Environmental Sustainability: Using nature-based technologies to help sequester carbon and fight climate change

Coming soon

Neuroscience and emotions: how are internal states generated and shaped?

Coming soon

Navigating Neurodiversity: A deep dive into diagnoses, treatments, and emerging solutions

Coming soon

Treating Cancer: Learn about cancer immunotherapy and explore where the field is headed

Coming soon

Explore gene editing: Learn about genetics and its uses in healthcare

Coming soon

Research and Statistics: An Introduction to using statistics and data analysis in research projects

Coming soon

Exploring the Stock Market: Understanding the fundamentals of investing and stock portfolios

Coming soon

From Idea to Investment: Exploring Venture Capital and Startup Success

Coming soon

Writing Fundamentals for College Preparedness: Crafting Argumentative Essays for 13-14 year olds

Coming soon

Decoding the Deep Sea: Learning Genomics Tools for Marine Conservation

Coming soon

The Psychology of Social Connection: From Strangers to Deep Friendships

Coming soon

Precision Medicine: Achieving the Right Treatment for the Right Patient at the Right Time

Coming soon

Lab-Grown Organs: An introduction to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Coming soon

The Evolution of Modern Physics: How We Understand the Physical World

Coming soon

Cells Gone Rogue: Understanding the Biology of Cancer and potential treatments

Coming soon

Writing Fundamentals for College Preparedness: Crafting Argumentative Essays

Coming soon

AI in STEM: How Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing Science and Engineering

Coming soon

Outbreak Origins: How Animal Diseases Shape Our World

Coming soon

Science and Religion: Climate, Ecological, and Social Crises

Coming soon

The Science of Political Polarization: How the U.S. became so divided (and what we can do about it)

Coming soon

Exploring Autonomous Systems: Understanding how autonomous systems think, perceive, plan and act

Coming soon

Introduction to Constitutional Law

Join the waitlist and be the first to hear about our new Pods!

Submit your interest for an existing Pod topic, and we’ll reach out as soon as it launches.

Why Polygence?

Prepare for your future

In addition to learning the research process, gain confidence, improve your communication and writing, and practice independence.

Student success through group learning and collaboration

A learning experience that’s designed for you

Polygence allows you to explore for the sake of exploring. There are no grades; success is what you define it.

Collaboration of mentor and a group of students

Dive into what excites you

Choose a topic that ignites a spark in you and see the amazing things you can create. You’ll be guided by a mentor that is perfect for your interests.

Polygence Pods FAQs

1. What are Polygence Pods?
Polygence Pods are small-group courses where students learn the basics of a subject over 6 sessions. Each Pod focuses on a specific topic and is led by an expert who guides students through key concepts and discussions.

2. Who are Pods designed for?
Pods are a good fit for students who are curious about a subject but are not ready to commit to a full project. They work well for students who want to explore new areas, build foundational knowledge, or figure out what they’re interested in.

3. What do students actually do in a Pod?
Students attend live sessions, learn core ideas in the subject, and take part in discussions and activities. By the end, they complete a final deliverable that reflects what they’ve learned.

4. What kinds of skills do students build in a Pod?
Students practice understanding new concepts, asking questions, and explaining their thinking. They also build communication skills by participating in discussions and sharing their ideas with others.

5. How are Pods different from traditional classes?
Pods are smaller, more focused, and centered on discussion and exploration. Instead of working toward grades or tests, students focus on understanding the material and engaging with the topic.