Start Thinking Like a Researcher Before College
For rising 11th and 12th graders. No prior research experience required — just high school biology and curiosity. Build real data, coding, and network-science skills, then apply them to a mentored research project of your own.
No prior coding
required to start
2 formats
summer or year-long
6 areas
to choose from
Choose Your Pace
Both paths end the same way — a real mentored mini-project and a symposium presentation. They differ in how the preparation is paced.
10 Weeks, One Summer
Best if you have one open summer and want a fast, complete experience
A single, immersive summer program. You'll move from core biology and data literacy through basic network science and straight into a mentored mini-project — building and analyzing a real biological network by the end of the program.
15–20 hrs
Day program
- Foundations → network science → mentored project, back to back
- Great for testing your interest quickly
- Fits before college applications
2 Semesters + Summer
Best if you'd rather build gradually and specialize before summer
Foundations and network thinking are spread across the school year in short, asynchronous weekly modules that fit around a normal course load. You'll pick a research area and meet your summer mentor before summer even starts.
2–3 hrs
Fully async
- Fall: biology, data literacy, intro programming
- Spring: network medicine + your chosen research area
- Summer: live mentored mini-project, area already chosen
Not sure which fits? Most students choosing between college application seasons pick Summer Intensive. Students who want to explore all six research areas before committing tend to pick Year-Long.
How the Year Flows
One shared foundation course, then a research-area course, then live summer research.
Foundations
Biology · data · coding
Your Research Area
One of six pathways
Live Research
Mentored, online
What You'll Take
HS-F: Foundations of Systems Biology & Data
Cell biology, feedback loops, data literacy, and your first steps in Python — no experience required.
HS-S: Intro to Network Medicine & Research Design
Graph thinking, the disease module concept, research ethics, and choosing your research area.
Questions about which format fits your schedule? Talk to a program advisor.