Junior Scientist Training Program - Summer Science Camps

The Junior Scientist Training Program for high school students consists of week-long sessions that occur Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (PDT)

The high school program focuses on training students in basic laboratory techniques and the use of equipment to collect data. Students will design and work on a small research project and present their findings to their peers as a poster presentation at the conclusion of the program before receiving their certificate of completion.

The high school program is $300 per student per week. Discounts for employees and siblings of registered participants are available. ($275 per student per week)

The Junior Scientist Training Program for middle school students is a week-long camp that occurs Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (PDT)

The middle school program focuses on training students in the scientific method and how to design sound research experiments. Students will design and work on a small research project, then share their findings with their peers at the conclusion of the program before receiving their certificate of completion.

The middle school program is open to rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders (students who will be entering the 6th, 7th and 8th grade in the upcoming fall term) and costs $300 per student per week. Discounts for employees and siblings of registered students are available. ($275 per student per week.)

The Junior Scientist Training program will allow students to participate in some or all of the following modules: 

• Knowledge Building Activities: Activities that will help students learn about the topic being explored in a fun and interactive way. 
• Wet Lab Experiments: Students will participate in hands-on science experiments from home. 
• Lab Tours: Students will tour Scripps Research laboratories to learn about the research work happening at our institute and see how scientists use advanced tools to work on their research. 
• Meet and Discuss with a Scientist: Students will be able to interact with scientists, learn about their work at Scripps Research, ask questions, discuss important topics in science, and build a mentorship bond. 
• Research Study: Students will design and conduct an experiment throughout the week that they will use to collect data, which they will present at the end of the week. 
• Careers in Science: Students will get to meet different role models in the world of science and discover different STEM career paths.
   

At the end of the week, students will have a new appreciation for how scientists ‘do’ science and how they can pursue a career in science as well. They will also have had the unique experience of designing, conducting and presenting their own research project and will also receive a certificate of completion.

Cost:

• Middle School Program: $300 per student per week.
• High School Program: $300 per student per week.
   

Fees and completed paperwork are required to guarantee your seat in the program. Discounts for siblings and Scripps Research employees are available and reduce the weekly cost to $275 per middle school student or $275 per high school student.

Scholarships: We have limited scholarships and discounts for those students who can demonstrate need. To be considered, please request a scholarship on the Scholarship page of the online application. You will be asked to write and submit a short essay (350 words or less) describing your request.

Location: Both programs will be held at Scripps Research located in the Torrey Pines area of La Jolla. Address details for pick up/drop off or parking will be provided upon confirmation. Students must be signed in and out of the front office each day for safety reasons. Students will be required to bring their own lunch and we will provide snacks throughout the day.

Interested students may register via our online Application Management system by clicking on the appropriate registration button (middle school or high school) above, when the application is online. If you plan to register, please read these important notes:

• Middle School Program: Parents/Guardians will register on behalf of their middle school child(ren). The first step in applying to the Junior Scientist Training Program on behalf of your middle school child or children is to create a login using your information. Once you complete the login process, you will be able to register your child and any additional middle school children.
• High School Program: High school students must complete their own application. As part of the application process, students under the age of 18 must enter a parent/guardian's information.
• Children may be registered for one or more program weeks with a single application, Signing up siblings for a JSTP programs does qualify for a $25 discount per child.
   

If you have any other questions for us, please email outreach@scripps.edu.