Resources for high school students

The Stanford Medical Youth Science Program is a five-week program open to low-income and under-represented minority high school students from northern and central California. Those who are selected receive full tuition for the five-week program on the university campus. During that time, participants are immersed in science and medicine through a broad curriculum that includes anatomy classes in the human cadaver lab; hospital internships; group research projects; lectures by prominent scientists and physicians; college admissions and standardized test preparation; and long-term guidance to aid them on their path to science and health professions. SMYSP received the 2011 recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government for mentoring in these fields.

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program is an eight-week program in which high school students from diverse backgrounds are invited to perform basic research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students and researchers on a medically oriented project. Students learn about basic laboratory techniques and gather, analyze and present scientific data on research in fields like stem cells and neuroscience. In addition, the students make scientific connections with faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows.

Splash! is the program that brings high and middle school students from everywhere to Stanford’s campus for a two-day learning extravaganza. Classes are taught by Stanford undergraduates, graduate students, and other community members. Students attend classes that could vary from completely “non-academic” stuff like cookie baking and origami, to complicated and challenging classes on neuroscience, machine theory or quantum mechanics.

The Junior Volunteer program at Stanford Hospital & Clinics is for high school students age 16 or older who are energetic, compassionate, communicative and committed.