Fall 2025 Research Programs for High School Students

We’ve had a great summer and have spent the past few weeks engaging in riveting discussions and exploring niche topics with some of our most brilliant students yet. However, time’s winding down, and this season of sun, fun, and free time will be wrapping up soon, which means we’re now accepting applications for our fall group research programs. High school students from around the world join our cohorts to learn university-level research methodologies, develop skills in academic writing, and earn letters of recommendation. In addition to these tangible benefits, students who participate in research in the fall have the added opportunity to complete their program just in time for early application deadlines and the spring admissions season.

While we offer virtual research programs year-round, this fall we’re only offering our most popular cohorts and expect the spots to fill up quickly. So, get a head start on extracurricular planning and apply for one of these highly sought-after research opportunities before the next semester starts. 

Fundamentals of Cancer Biology

Faculty Advisor: Associate Professor, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis

This is an introduction to the fundamentals of cancer biology. Through the framework of breast cancer, students will learn about the basics of cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis.

Artificial Intelligence: Machine Learning with Python

Faculty Advisor: Professor, Mathematics, Georgia Institute of Technology

Designed to give students a competitive edge in college and the professional world, this program teaches students the programming language Python, as well as how to utilize machine learning software and create machine learning models.

Neuroscience and Psychology: How the Brain Works in Learning and Memory

Faculty Advisor: Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego

Neuroscience and Psychology is a crash course on the basics of neuroscience. By studying scientific research on human learning, memory, and the biological systems that enable information processing and memory, participants explore levels of processing, interference effects, mass and spacing effects, imagery, chunking, and mnemonic aids to memory.

Mechanical Engineering Applications: Planes, F1 Cars, and Rockets

Faculty Advisor: Research Fellow, Phutung Research Institute; Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Yale University

Planes, Formula 1 cars, and rockets: what do they have in common? They’re all mechanical engineering marvels that represent some of the most exciting technological advances of the modern age. Students of this cohort will learn how planes stay in the air, how Formula 1 enables the fastest road travel, and how we managed to fly to the moon.

Financial Crises: History and Future

Faculty Advisor: Researcher PhD candidate, University of Pennsylvania; Head Teacher in History, Leiden University, 2019

Students will analyze the intricacies of the 2008 market crash to understand the nature of financial markets, the concept of market liquidity, and the role of trust in trade. They’ll also dive into the causes and consequences of economic crises.

The Business of Digital Media: How Do Enterprises Leverage Technology, Media, and Innovations?

Faculty Advisor: Associate Professor, Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Minnesota

This research program provides an in-depth analysis of digital media enterprises and their strategies across various sectors, including news, entertainment, social media, mobile, retail, and others. Program participants will learn how these enterprises influence modern cultural and civic life, as well as how their work affects their internal business models.

Music Production in Film and Television: The Art and Technology of Creating Emotional Impact

Faculty Advisor: Emmy Award Winner; New York-based composer and producer

Students will review a variety of film segments to parse the characteristics of their musical content. Throughout their exploration, they’ll learn how different melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and sound textures can be synchronized with storytelling.

Each cohort listed here is designed to introduce students to advanced subjects and sharpen their research skills ahead of college. If none of these group programs interests you, you can still explore a one-on-one cohort and customize the focus of study to your liking. You can also apply for one of our accelerated programs, which offer the same tangible results in just one month. 

High school research programs ultimately help students enhance their applications with evidence of intellectual creativity, curiosity, and initiative. The study of niche research topics, especially when the pursuit is interdisciplinary or paired with an already thorough passion project, also serves to differentiate Scholar Launch alumni from the hordes of other applicants. There’s plenty of time to get strategic ahead of the next admissions season, but as always, the clock is ticking. Apply for Scholar Launch research today.