Beginning Research in High School

We offer an exciting 10-session research program for high school students, focusing on open-ended team research projects derived from recent NSF-funded research in applied math, computational biology, and data science. The program typically includes one session per week during the school year or one session per day in the summer, with each session lasting 2 hours of expert instruction. Teams will consist of 3-4 students, fostering collaborative learning and problem-solving. This structure encourages teamwork while allowing for individual contributions.

This program is inspired by Dr. Xue’s NSF Career Award and her experience as a research project mentor for gifted high school students through the Summer Institute hosted by the Ohio Supercomputer Center.

Program Structure:

  • Session 1: Project Introduction

  • Sessions 2-8: Project Training and Team Research

  • Sessions 9-10: Summary, Writing, and Presentation

  • Final Day: Student Presentations in front of parents and friends

Expectations:

  • Students are expected to dedicate at least 6 hours between sessions to the project, collaborating with their teammates.

  • Throughout the program, students will:

  • Learn new math and science concepts

  • Develop critical thinking skills

  • Cultivate proper research attitudes and habits

  • Learn rigorous research methods

After the program:

  • Students will have the opportunity to present their research at local science fairs.

  • Based on performance, we will recommend students to continue research with an external mentor through our Research Connect Program.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Completion of Precalculus

  • Proficiency in Python, Java, or C++

  • Genuine curiosity and interest in research

Upcoming Sessions: June 23–27, June 29 (Sun)–July 3 (Thu), Full Day Commitment. Daily Group Meeting: 11–1 pm CST. $1200/week.

How to Apply:

  1. Send your resume and statement of interest to apply@xuemath.org with the subject line “Beginning Research in High School – [Your Full Name].”

  2. Pay the non-refundable $60 application fee and schedule a 30-minute interview with Dr. Xue. Payments can be made via Zelle to Dr. Xue's Math School LLC at 612-806-2116. Alternative payment methods are available here.

  3. You will receive a decision within one week of submitting your application.