This 11-month program offers an immersive research experience culminating in three undergraduate credit hours and ongoing mentorship and leadership opportunities throughout the academic year.
The UIC SHARP! (Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program) is an 11-month, research-intensive program designed for high school students interested in contemporary biomedical investigation. The program includes a six-week summer laboratory research experience where students engage in daily lab work under the guidance of a scientist mentor. Activities include scientific lectures, career mentorship, collaborative biomedical engineering projects, and instruction in bench laboratory methods. Students gain hands-on experience in various biomedical engineering solutions, including exploring AI, robotics, and medicine, and may have the opportunity to shadow professionals and work with advanced equipment like the robotic da Vinci Surgical System. The summer experience culminates in student research presentations at the SHARP! Symposium.
Beyond the summer, participants continue with a mentored academic-year research and professional development component, serving as team leads for multidisciplinary high school groups in the annual Biomed Breakthrough Challenge. They also engage in a structured community service component, creating lesson plans and delivering science sessions at elementary schools to inspire younger students in STEM. Successful completion of the program, including embedded accredited academic components, awards three undergraduate credit hours through the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Students engage in daily laboratory research under the guidance of a scientist mentor, participate in scientific lectures and career mentorship, and work on collaborative biomedical engineering projects.
The ideal student is a rising high school junior from the Chicago area with a demonstrated interest in biomedical science and engineering, looking for a comprehensive, immersive research experience.
University of Illinois Chicago
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