From High School to Researcher: Building College-Ready Innovators

In this poster session, I’ll share how our university is creating a sustainable model to engage high school junior and seniors in research experiences. More K-12 schools are adding research requirements to their gradation especially in honor programs. Our school allows students to fulfill academic requirements and set the stage for success in college. Through the Fellowship for Innovation and Research in STEM (FIRS), high school students are matched with college mentors and faculty to conduct real research in fields like AI, Cybersecurity, and Development. The partnership helps students grow from passive learners into active contributors. The research programs opens doors for publishing, industry exposure, and a head start in college-level research. Participants are encouraged to continue their research as they transition to any university. The research ecosystem provides compelling stories at they seek admission to preferred university pathways to continue their work and apply for scholarships. By engaging the K-12 audience, the hope is to create a multi-year innovation pipeline. The program also fosters a culture of peer mentoring, as college students gain leadership skills while guiding their younger counterparts.