In order to train the scientists of the future, they should be exposed to cutting edge approaches now. This of course is what a modern research University does; it provides undergraduates with access to key thought leaders and research resources that enable STEM career paths to be built and taken. But why wait until college to start this process? The TIDES program and the Freshman Research Initiative at the University of Texas offers research opportunities to high school students, placing them in labs for a summer experience through the High School Research Academy. This program has been placing students in the Ellington Aptamer FRI research stream for the past eight years, allowing the students to decide what projects and procedures to carry out. Additionally, the students have seen successes in iGEM science competitions, winning gold in 2015, as well as bronze in 2017 and 2018. Now, the Ellington lab has developed a program to bring high school students into research labs for longer internships that last through the entire academic year. As a result, in addition to early training and prolonged exposure to the sciences, the high school students will gain critical presentation skills from exhibiting their work in international competitions such as iGEM and Intel ISEF. By granting them additional time in the lab, these students are able to not only develop thorough research ability, but interact with local and global experts alike, allowing them to develop a network which they can leverage throughout their careers.
