This fully-funded program offers one-on-one mentorship with USC PhD students, providing a rare opportunity for high schoolers to conduct university-level scientific research and gain exposure to advanced STEM fields.
The USC Young Researchers Program (YRP) is a six-week, fully-funded summer program designed for rising high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM. Participants engage in hands-on scientific research projects at the University of Southern California, working alongside USC Dornsife faculty and graduate student mentors. The program aims to introduce students to the research process, develop skills in scientific methodologies, data collection, and analysis, and prepare them for future academic endeavors and STEM careers. Students are matched with a PhD student mentor in a field of their interest, such as Earth sciences, neuroscience, marine biology, physics, or computer science.
Beyond laboratory work, the YRP includes weekly seminars on topics like college applications, scholarships, and STEM career options. Students also have the opportunity to attend field trips to research institutions like NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability. The program culminates in a poster symposium where students present their research findings to faculty, mentors, and their families. This immersive experience helps students gain practical research skills, build confidence, and explore advanced scientific topics beyond the high school curriculum.
Students spend the majority of their time working in USC's labs on hands-on research projects with their graduate student mentor and attend weekly seminars on college preparation and STEM careers.
The program is best for motivated rising high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds and underresourced areas who are passionate about science and interested in gaining real-world research experience.
University of Southern California
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