High School Research Internships

The High School Research Internship program provides local high school juniors and seniors with an opportunity to earn high school credit for researching in a Notre Dame faculty lab in STEM. Twice a week during the academic year, students research in a lab on campus and work closely with a graduate or postdoctoral student research mentor. Throughout the year, they participate in Friday group classes led by Research Engagement at the South Bend Technology Resource Center to engage in discussions about research topics from the lab and other college preparation topics of interest. In May, students present the research projects they completed at a Poster Presentation.

This program was formerly housed in ND Energy as the Notre Dame-Mishawaka High School Internship Program until 2023.

Participant Goals

• Gain experience conducting research in a university laboratory

• Gain a deeper understanding of STEM topics that are not regularly taught in the classroom or learned from textbooks

• Develop skills that will help students succeed in college and beyond

Participant Outcomes

• Increased confidence in STEM

• Identity as a future STEM professional

• Continued education in STEM fields as undergraduate students
  

Partner Schools and Organizations

This program is in partnership with Mishawaka High School, the Career Academy Network, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Indiana Corridor, and the Portage School of Leaders. Participants are selected for the program by their schools.

Final Poster Presentations

2024-2025 Presentations

Doug Hill, Camden Lab, Mishawaka High School

Kiersten Jolly, Bibby Lab, Career Academy

Ethan Kelly, McClarren Lab, Mishawaka High School

Maddux Kuhnle, Camden Lab, Mishawaka High School

More Information

To learn more about the High School Research Internship program, please email researchengagement@nd.edu.