Education & Outreach
High School Research Experience
Summer internship program for high school students.
High School Summer Research Internship Experiences
These research experience opportunities, hosted at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI), Cornell University, and the USDA, provide an excellent chance to gain research experience and explore if a scientific career or a biological major is right for you. Currently, we offer positions to students interested in plant science research and computational biology, and require no prior lab experience. Accepted students will join an international community of scientists in the pursuit of scientific discovery, learn valuable research skills, and attend seminars and workshops to learn from mentors in these fields.
International Community
Hands-On Experience
Professional Development
Selected students will have at least one research mentor, typically consisting of a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher, and one faculty mentor. These individuals will train students as they work alongside their mentors to complete a predetermined project appropriate for the six-week program. Every Wednesday, students will join the Undergraduate Researchers for professional development lectures and discussions. They will also participate in local field trips or training. The program will culminate in a scientific symposium in August, where students will present their accomplishments from the summer via a scientific poster.
Frequently Asked Questions
To be eligible for the High School Research Experience students must meet all eligibility requirements:
- A current high school student, who is regional to Ithaca, NY year-round. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept students who are not within a reasonable commute of Ithaca, or are not year-round residents of the area. We consider a reasonable commute to be within ~1-hour away from Ithaca, NY.
- 16 years of age before the first day of the program
- Not graduated by the first day of the program, June 25th (graduating seniors not eligible)
Our programming provides a variety of opportunities for you to learn more about the Cornell Undergraduate and Graduate School application process, as well as the experience of current Cornell graduate students. You will be invited to attend a half-day Graduate School Panel discussion lead by the Directors of Graduate Study for a dozen fields across Cornell. You will also have the opportunity to network with faculty following weekly seminars and connect with the Undergraduate and Graduate School admissions officers. Lastly, each student will be in a lab and work directly with current graduate students and postdocs who will be able to share their own experiences and perspectives, as well as opportunities to connect with undergraduate interns.
High school students will have the opportunity to be involved with a variety of programming throughout the summer, including field trips to Cornell labs. Other social opportunities for students may be available for you to connect with your peers, and to create an unforgettable summer.
The selection committee and faculty will do their best to match students with a project that is of interest and is aligned with individual’s background and experience.
On the application form, applicants will be asked to share which type of research interests them the best, and aligns with their current skills. Please reference the “Projects & Faculty” tab above for more information.
Scientists work in different settings depending on their research. Some spend their days out in the field or planting in greenhouses, while others spend their days working in the lab or on the computer. Consider what interests you the most, and what aligns with your interests.
The program offers a variety of projects spanning plant science, plant molecular biology, plant biotic interactions, bioinformatics, and biological engineering of plant systems.
- Attend weekly seminar(s) with scientists from BTI, Cornell, and the USDA
- Attend lab meetings, read, and discuss recent literature related to your project
- Learn about undergraduate and graduate school, scientific careers and work in an international environment
- Write a research proposal, practice peer reviews, and learn the art of scientific communication
- Present your research to the other students, scientists, and mentors at the annual George and Helen Kohut Symposium
We are excited to be able to offer new opportunities for the summer of 2027 in addition to our hands-on research experiences. We are developing those new programs. As a result, we will share more information about our 2027 programming starting in Spring 2027. We will share all new programs, including application details, here at that time. Keep an eye out for updates starting in the Spring.