In his 2009 “Back to School” speech in Arlington, VA, President Barack Obama said, “Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor […] but you might not know it until you do a project for your science class.” While he is right, the best litmus test of one’s capabilities in a certain field is independent research. From studies in anthropology to pure mathematics to zoology, research and writing papers can yield dramatic results.

While in-school classes act as excellent introductions to general subjects, research, whether it be in science, mathematics, or the humanities, can act as a launch pad to the future.  While high level research is demanding and time-consuming in nature, its benefits outweigh its downsides. For one, researching at an affiliated institution (such as a university, hospital, or private research company) allows one to gain valuable research experience without having to buy or construct complicated instruments.  Many students in high school envision themselves as engineers. However, they may find that after a month researching in chemical engineering they would rather work in the humanities.

Furthermore, research stands out on college applications and scholarship bids. Finally, researching with other like-minded high school students can build friendships and contacts that could be invaluable in the future. Junior David Claypool said students should actively engage in research because “we are the next generation.”

Honestly, the opportunities are boundless for high school students seeking to research in their fields of interest. Professors maintain slots for high school and undergraduate interns in their laboratories and research groups; a simple email in the summer could easily go a long way and lead to weekly research throughout the school year.

Furthermore, summer programs in research are bountiful. In Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh’s Gene Team and Phagehunters Program and Magee-Womens Research Institute Summer Internship Program for High School Students are excellent research opportunities. Namita Matharu, who attended the Magee-Womens program said, “It was a great experience because I got to solve a real problem by studying genetics.”