Top Research Opportunities for High School Students in Texas

Top Research Opportunities for High School Students in Texas
The top research programs available for high school students, selected based on prestige, location, and affordability
Conrad Challenge
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This competition provides a platform for students aged 13-18 to address global issues by utilizing science, technology, and innovation, all while cultivating entrepreneurial skills and forming new connections. With guidance from industry professionals and a structured framework, participants can strengthen their collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication abilities. One of the best aspects of this challenge is that students can choose to work with a small team of their choosing, allowing them to collaborate with friends and enjoy the project together.
Regeneron ISEF
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The Regeneron ISEF isn't just your typical high school science fair. It's the most renowned science competition for high school students in the nation, attracting 1,800 finalists who compete for $8 million in awards and scholarships. Its reputation is highly respected by colleges and the scientific community. To participate in ISEF, 9th-12th grade students must first compete in a Society-affiliated fair and earn the opportunity to attend. Each fair has the opportunity to sponsor a certain number of projects, either team or individual, for the chance to compete at ISEF.
UT Austin’s McCombs Business School Summer Programs
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Participating in summer programs can be costly, which is why this free 6-day program is a fantastic opportunity. Students can gain valuable skills in business and engage with industry representatives, McCombs faculty, and students. The program offers three options to choose from, including the McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA), Academy for Rising Leaders, and Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers.
Texas A&M’s Camp ARCH
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The Texas A&M School of Architecture sponsors a week-long program designed for high-achieving high school students. The program combines academic courses with social activities to create a research-focused pre-college experience on the ARCH campus.
Summer Research Internship in Infectious Diseases
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This program spans over 8 years and offers students direct, hands-on experience in generating, analyzing, validating, and reproducing research data under the guidance of the program director. Students will receive practical research training that encompasses laboratory analysis skills, literature review, handling of biological samples, performing PCR tests, and plating bacteria through laboratory testing and basic microbiological techniques.
Houston Methodist’s Summer Internship program for High Schoolers
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High school students can participate in this 9-week program, which provides training in translational research laboratories and a professional development curriculum covering college options, academic materials, and scientific writing. The program pairs students with distinguished faculty members at Houston Methodist, who guide them through laboratory procedures and assign them an area of study or concentration as well as an active research project.
Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
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Participants of the program have a unique chance to engage in a research project in one of the biomedical fields, supervised by a full-time MD Anderson faculty member. The program emphasizes the significance of fundamental principles that serve as the foundation of scientific research. In addition to laboratory experience, seminars are also provided.
Texas Tech’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
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This rigorous seven-week program offers outstanding students the chance to collaborate with exceptional professors at the University's General Health Sciences Center. While the program has a research focus, it also features weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips.
UT Austin’s High School Research Academy (HSRA)
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The 5-week program offers high school students a range of immersive and hands-on research opportunities. Participants engage in research projects and active laboratory work in the College of Natural Sciences (CNS), exploring various exciting fields such as biochemistry, biology, environmental science, genetics, neuroscience, genome engineering, data analysis, and ecology.
ELITE Tech Camp
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This summer program is designed for high school students interested in engineering and college readiness. It offers a rigorous STEM curriculum that emphasizes hands-on learning, problem-solving, and the practical application of engineering principles. Through intensive coursework and support from experienced instructors, students will gain valuable technical skills and an understanding of how to apply engineering to real-world challenges.
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