Top Research Opportunities for High School Students in Pennsylvania

Research Opportunities for High School Students in Pennsylvania
The top research programs available for high school students, selected based on prestige, location, and affordability
Essentials of Finance
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The Essentials of Finance program is highly sought after and provides an introduction to personal and corporate finance, covering crucial concepts such as the time value of money, risk and return trade-offs, and equities. Drawing inspiration from Wharton's undergraduate finance program, the curriculum includes case studies and real-world applications. Distinguished faculty members, lecturers, and PhD students from Wharton lead lectures and presentations, while students work collaboratively in small teams to complete an analysis project.
Camp Businesss
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Drexel LeBow's Camp Business is a 5-day program during the day that offers rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors an immersive and engaging introduction to collegiate and corporate business education. The program is designed to demonstrate that business education can be enjoyable and fun.
Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
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BOSS is a two-week in-person program held at Penn State's University Park campus, intended for high school students interested in pursuing a business education in college. Penn State faculty teach college preparation and fundamental business courses during the program, allowing students to gain valuable knowledge in these areas.
Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
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This five-week STEM course will provide students with a challenging experience culminating in a symposium. Along the way, students will delve into math, science, participate in seminars, attend writing workshops, receive small group mentoring, engage in collaborative learning, and learn about financial aid, FAFSA, and college admissions.
Summer Internship Program
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This is a four-week virtual internship opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to participate in basic, translational, or clinical scientific investigations at MWRI and Magee Women's Hospital, led by a researcher and their team. Participants will also attend sessions where researchers share their personal experiences and perspectives in biomedical science. Students will present their findings to other program participants as well as MWRI faculty and staff at the end of the program. The internship consists of 160 hours of work.
Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
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Penn's VPSE department's flagship initiative, the Summer Mentorship Program (SMP), aims to provide first-generation students not defined by the college preparatory experience with greater college access. SMP participants commit to attending a four-week immersive summer program organized by faculty and staff at Penn's Perelman School of Medicine and Nursing School.
Neuroscience Camp
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In this program, students will gain an understanding of the foundational concepts of neuroscience as well as basic lab techniques in molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology, and neuroanatomy. The curriculum consists of a series of lectures, followed by laboratory work that covers data analysis, research techniques, and project presentation.
Polygence
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Polygence is an online research program designed to offer high school students accessible research opportunities, making them more inclusive. The program was created by researchers from Harvard, MIT, and Stanford and provides tailored research projects, allowing students to explore their interests, acquire professional skills, and increase their competitiveness for college admissions.
American Civil War Camp
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At Gettysburg College's summer camp, high school students can expect to be fully immersed in a learning environment that is both welcoming and historic. Each program is overseen by subject-matter experts, including Gettysburg College faculty, staff, and students, and topics for the 2023 programs include psychology, creative writing, civic engagement, 3D printing, and Civil War studies.
Human-Computer Interaction Institute REU
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The Human-Computer Informatics Summer Research Program (HCII) invites undergraduates to participate in a 10-week research and practical work program with world-renowned researchers. The program offers a unique opportunity to work on research projects that have significant implications for the field. Projects may include exploring smart classroom sensors, developing educational games, enhancing accessibility, designing online health support groups, creating smartphone encryption devices, and shaping the future of work.
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