Opportunities for High School Students

There are a variety of programs available to high school students who are interested in exploring research. Visit the websites below for more information about each program. 

High School Youth Researcher Summer (HYRS) Program

The Alberta Innovates High School Youth Researcher Summer (HYRS) Program offers 4-6 week summer research experiences for Grade 11 students interested in health and medical sciences, including priority areas in digital health, data-enabled health transformation, and health innovation. The HYRS program at the University of Alberta is administered by the Undergraduate Research Initiative, in collaboration with WISEST.

Information for High School Teachers

Are you a high school teacher looking for a guest presentation to your students about potential research opportunities? Please use the following form to request a presentation for your class!

Request a Presentation

Programs administered at the University of Alberta

Experiential Learning in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (ELITE) Program for Black Youth
The ELITE Program for Black Youth is designed to create experiential opportunities for Black Youth aged 15-22 to learn and gain experience in STEM disciplines. This program offers paid 8- or 16-week internships for youth to become involved with scientific research and innovation.
FEM+ Engineering Mentorship Program
Hosted by the Faculty of Engineering, FEM+ is a 7-month mentorship program for women and non-binary high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in engineering. This program facilitates a mentorship program between current U of A Engineering students and interested high school students, as well as various information/social events.
Ross and Verna Tate High School Internship Program
The Computing Science High School Internship Program (HIP) is a 6-week summer research internship for students in grades 10-12. This program provides high school students with the opportunity to learn more about computing sciences.
Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology (WISEST)

WISEST focuses on creating effective programs to empower women (and other underrepresented groups) to pursue, impact, and succeed in the fields of science, engineering, and technology. WISEST offers a 6-week summer research program in STEM for grade 11 students, as well as an annual Science, Engineering & Technology (SET) conference for grade 10-12 girls to explore careers in STEM. 

Other high school programs

ISSYP (Theoretical Physics Program at Perimeter Institute)
ISSYP is a two-week online program in theoretical physics available to Canadian high school students that offers lectures, keynote sessions, career mentorship, and networking opportunities with professionals in theoretical physics and like-minded students.
Quantum Cryptography School for Young Students (QCSYS)
QCSYS is a two-week quantum physics program for grade 11 and 12 students running through July, hosted by the University of Waterloo. This program offers students the opportunity to attend expert lectures, engage in group discussions, and network and engage in mentorship with quantum researchers.
The Sanofi Biogenius Canada Competition
The Sanofi Biogenius Canada Competition pairs high school students with professional mentors in science to develop a research project. With the support of their mentors, students will have the opportunity to submit a manuscript and poster presentation.
Shad Canada
Shad is a month-long STEAM summer program for grade 10 and 11 students, which challenges students to solve a real-world problem in teams by developing a plan and a prototype. Students have the opportunity to engage in STEAM-related activities and seminars, network with other like-minded peers, and live on a Canadian university campus for the duration of the program.
STEM Fellowship
STEM Fellowship offers a variety of mentorship and experiential learning opportunities for high school and university students interested in STEM. There are multiple chapters across Canada.
TeamUP Science

TeamUP Science is an Alberta-based group with chapters in Edmonton and Camrose, which supports mentorship and experiential learning opportunities for inner-city, rural and Indigenous youth in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) fields.  

Youreka Canada
Youreka Canada offers a 10-week research and mentorship opportunity for grade 9-12 students to create and contribute to a citizen science research project under the guidance of an undergraduate student mentor. High school students will have the opportunity to learn various skills regarding data science, manuscript writing, and presentation of academic research.
Verna J. Kirkness Education Foundation (VJKF)
The VJKF program offers Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, and Inuit) high school students in grades 10, 11 and 12 an opportunity to spend one week conducting research in the fields of science and engineering during the month of May. Students will work with university professors and graduate students from a participating Canadian university on a particular area of science, engineering, technology, or math.