CU Science Discovery is now accepting mentor applications for the summer 2024 STEM Research Experience! In this 6-week program, CU Boulder and Anschutz Medical Campus faculty and graduate students act as mentors to highly motivated high school students interested in gaining real world laboratory experience. Each mentor works with two students, guiding them through the fundamentals of the scientific research process.

Apply Here* 

*Please do not complete this application if you intend to be gone for a significant portion of the program dates with no substitute mentor to take your place.

Program details: 

  • Dates: June 7 - July 26, 2024
  • Each mentor will be assigned two high school students that will shadow you in the lab, learn proper research techniques and assisting in your research. Student responsibilities could include taking data, analyzing data, taking pictures, doing background research on an area you'd like to get into, setting up a new piece of equipment and more. Students should be involved in projects that help the lab move forward.
  • Students expect to work approximately 15 hours per week while gaining true research experience.
  • All students will have the opportunity to attend a Research Methods Seminar (taught by a PhD-level scientist) where they will learn correct writing techniques, the process for creating a scientific poster, how to do a literature search, and the process for getting your work published.
  • During the course of this program, students will be developing a poster to present at the culminating STEM Research Poster Session on July 26, 2024.

Benefits to Acting as a Mentor: 

  • Provides an opportunity for graduate students and other researchers to gain mentorship experience.
  • Allows faculty to address Broader Impacts requirements tied to grants.
  • Mentors will receive a $1,000 Academic Enrichment Funding grant for every pair of students mentored and may be eligible for additional research funds for their students’ project.

For additional information, contact Kathryn Penzkover or Meredith Tennis via email.