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How do I get research or lab experience as a high school student?
#research #labwork
#science
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Cameron’s Answer
Hi Elise! The best place to find research opportunities while in high school is to search for high school summer research opportunities. Many colleges and universities have these formal programs that require an application, essay(s), and letter(s) of recommendation. You can also look at the website of research professors at these universities and directly email them and/or their administrative or research assistants to inquire about volunteer research opportunities.
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Archana’s Answer
Hi!
You can absolutely get involved in research/lab environments as a high schooler. In Georgia, I know we have NSF funded programs for high schoolers to get involved with research conducted in an academic lab setting and even get paid for it. The best course of action would be to contact your high school science teacher(s) about getting involved and your school might have active partnerships with universities. It's easier to get involved with an existing program for high school students because the paperwork for minors can be caught up in a lot of red tape at universities even if you find a professor/lab to work with on your own.
Google research programs for high school students in your state
Contact your high school teacher(s) about existing programs
You can absolutely get involved in research/lab environments as a high schooler. In Georgia, I know we have NSF funded programs for high schoolers to get involved with research conducted in an academic lab setting and even get paid for it. The best course of action would be to contact your high school science teacher(s) about getting involved and your school might have active partnerships with universities. It's easier to get involved with an existing program for high school students because the paperwork for minors can be caught up in a lot of red tape at universities even if you find a professor/lab to work with on your own.
Archana recommends the following next steps:
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Dee’s Answer
Hopefully you know what type of lab research you would like to do! I would recommend that you look up local colleges and universities and see if there are any professors doing research that you're interested in/know something about. If yes, reach out to them, and let them know what you're looking for, what you have to offer, and ask if there's any way you can work in their labs or do research.
You can also explore whether you can do remote research for institutions that are not in your vicinity, that's also a possibility I think you should explore.
Ask your science teachers if they know of any opportunities, they are always a good resource for information.
Make sure you have a good resume that you can send out when requested.
Check out government entities like NASA or NOAA and see if they have internships available for high school students.
Good luck!
I found this site that offers high school an opportunity to work with professors, you have to pay for it: https://www.horizoninspires.com/
You can also explore whether you can do remote research for institutions that are not in your vicinity, that's also a possibility I think you should explore.
Ask your science teachers if they know of any opportunities, they are always a good resource for information.
Make sure you have a good resume that you can send out when requested.
Check out government entities like NASA or NOAA and see if they have internships available for high school students.
Good luck!
Dee recommends the following next steps:
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Greg’s Answer
To get lab experience, you don't need to do actual research Elise. There are lab managers and administrators in high schools, colleges, even professional healthcare practices (like Quest Diagnostics for instance). Those folks work with lab equipment, processes, measurements, all the foundational things you need to apply in any lab. So, you could try the research route, but you don't need to -- just sign up as a lab assistant and get that experience !! You can do it.