When talking about the “new norm”, we’re not referring to life after the COVID pandemic! Instead, we’re referring to high school students participating in online research opportunities for high school students.
That’s because high school students having research experience on resumes is becoming more and more common. So will you follow suit by adding a research project to your resume to use for college applications and work opportunities?
Or do you choose to pursue your interests and focus on hands-on research by taking the most demanding challenge out there? If it is the latter for you, you should explore the kind of online research programs that proves that you are not following a fad.
And along the way, we’ll share more insight into the Pioneer Academics online research program and how you can start your application for research opportunities.
There Are a Plethora of Possibilities
Online research programs for high school students became widely available when the pandemic started in the U.S. Thanks to the advancement of video conferencing, it does not take much for a platform to connect high school students with academic professionals like professors or Ph.D. candidates.
The convenience and easy access made it popular for many high school students to have a research project on their resumes.
If you are looking for individual research projects that challenge you most rigorously, you are not a fad follower.
Online research programs for all interests
As one of these outstanding high school students, you likely already have a specialized area of interest in which you’re looking to build a future career. When you begin learning about this field as junior or senior high school students, you get a better idea of your future college studies and career.
That’s why at Pioneer Academics, we offer a multitude of different research areas for high school students interested in independent research projects. From literature to lab work, we have online summer programs for all, including:
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Architecture
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Astronomy
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Economics
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Social sciences
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Engineering and more
You can specialize in a research project niche
There are several broad fields of scientific research, such as “biology” or “history.” As a high-performing student, you probably have a more specific idea of what you are interested in than these simple, broad subjects. High school students interested in biology may enjoy an online research program focused on mitosis; history enthusiasts may specifically study Jacobean-era British politics.
Helping you to develop your research niche
Pioneer has developed an effective admissions method that allows broad exploration and niche development. This method enables applicants to choose broad areas they are interested in and feel related to and then develop a specific research question of their own.
Pioneer’s admissions officers appoint the research direction based on applicants’ demonstrated interests in their applications.
Delving deeper into research
Researching an original question in a short amount of time for high school students requires studying and exploration before producing a research paper. This is the best approach Pioneer’s academics found in the past ten years of practice. Here are some examples.
For example, a successful past project within the biology area was about Cells and Intracellular Machines. We have had literature enthusiasts specifically focus on African American voices.
Some students even pursue multiple areas of interest- a science and tech enthusiast combined these fields to discuss Great Scientific Controversies in Context in a research paper.
Benefits of hands-on research in college-level research projects
These subjects all resemble niche college classes rather than broader high school AP courses. A college-level research project will give high school students individualized guidance that improves their chances of becoming successful college students.
When you research these topics in-depth at a young age, you won’t just excel in the broader courses you’re taking now.
You’ll be ready for the in-depth nature of university research projects before taking your first step on a college campus.
Problem identifying and solving skills development
The purpose of pursuing research opportunities for high school students is not necessarily to major in that research direction or become one of the world’s leading scientists.
The researcher mentality and research method prepare a talent to be a critical thinker identifying problem patterns and producing intellectual discoveries.
With these skills, regardless if you become a professional researcher or not in any field, you will be a successful contributor.
You Get Early Insight Into A Possible Career
Speaking of passions, investing your time in a rigorous research project can help you become more confident as you build your readiness to take on more research-type projects in colleges. When you work in a high-standard environment, you get a better feel for what your area of interest actually requires in practice.
You likely have some idea of what future career paths are available to you based on your favorite academic subject or other fields of interest.
But experiencing higher-level career preparation will give you a real-life feel for pursuing your future occupation.
Knowing which research program to pursue
It is not uncommon for high school students, even top performers, to choose an undecided major when applying to colleges. Though you may feel dedicated to an area of interest now, it’s still difficult to know what you will want to do for a career in the future.
Because of your youth, you have the opportunity to take the time to discover your passion and feel more confident in your area of study.
Working on real independent research projects and completing hands-on research can help you to bolster this confidence.
Plus, with the individualized guidance you’ll get with a high-quality online research program, you will likely have an even greater head start when you get to college.
Work With Faculty
As you might imagine, conducting the research could mean discussing your project and possibly collaborating with leading scientists and professionals within your field of study.
This could allow you to connect with professionals that you wouldn’t have during your ordinary high school year.
For example, the Pioneer Research Program offers high school students the opportunity to work in an institutional research environment and study directly with university faculty. These mentors guide your research and evaluate your work.
You Could Make Professional Connections
Additionally, you will also have the chance to connect with other driven high school students. Many of your peers will share similar academic and scientific research interests.
The Pioneer alumni network is a rich resource that supports you when you are pushing your independent research projects and throughout your colleges and beyond.
Some of these fellow researchers will be high schoolers or college students from other countries. This is a great way to get multiple unique perspectives on your project and field.
The online research program is ideal because you build connections internationally and may receive more long-distance job opportunities down the line.
It’s never too early to establish your future success
It’s never too early to start establishing mentor-mentee, and peer-to-peer connections and online research programs are an excellent way to start this.
High school students learn more about themselves and their peers by participating in online research. It is an ideal way to step outside of your typical high school environment to find unique professional connections.
Expand Your Extracurricular Activities
Most of us automatically think of sports, student council, or a part-time job when we think of extracurricular activities. But in-depth and challenging research opportunities can be enriching activities.
Extracurriculars for high schoolers are essential because these kinds of activities help you learn skills you may not learn inside the classroom, like analytical thinking and writing a research paper. Additionally, you can gain real-world experience and feel a sense of accomplishment.
If you already enjoy researching and want to focus deeper on a particular academic subject, participating in an online research opportunity, like with Pioneer Academics, can be a win-win for expanding your extracurricular activities.
You Can Receive College Credit
Your pursuit of research opportunities as a high school student won’t just be an extracurricular activity in your college application if you are a Pioneer student. Your research project will be an official college course in the college application.
Working with Pioneer also provides you with college credit. In fact, Pioneer’s research program is the only U.S.-based online research program for high school students to offer college credit for successfully completing the program.
When you pass the Pioneer research program, you will receive two college credits for your work. We can award these credits thanks to our partnership with Oberlin College.
Invaluable to higher learning
Depending on the university or college you attend, these credits may be transferred and be applied toward your bachelor’s degree.
All you need to do is ask us to send your transcript to the universities or colleges where you submitted applications.
And a transcript from Pioneer Academics provides universities and colleges a more in-depth view than simply saying you “passed” with a certain grade. We include both a holistic reflection of your work and your ethic as a student.
You Get an Effective Learning Opportunity
Ultimately, the most significant value in Pioneer’s online research opportunities is discovering more about your interests.
It’s a chance to explore the things you love more in-depth and practice in a high-level research environment.
Through discussions, research, and high-level readings, high school students learn to conquer challenges in learning about research. Only when high-order learning is taking place are you not following a research fad.
Pioneer: The Only Accredited Online Research Program
While online research options for high school students are getting common and popular, you must follow your own excitement and inspiration.
Don’t feel pressured to add a research project or research paper to your resume or to add it to college applications because it only shows you are a follower.
If you genuinely are interested in research, push yourself to take the most significant challenge, and apply to the Pioneer Research Program — the only accredited online research program.
The program offers high school students an excellent way to spend their summer break on individual research projects.
Are You One of the Brightest High School Students?
Our staff is committed to working with the best and brightest high school students both across the U.S. and internationally.
That’s why we’re excited to talk with those passionate about particular fields and driven to produce their knowledge.
We offer online summer programs from June to the end of August; you can take advantage of your high school summer break.
But we also offer spring-through-summer online research programs that run from February to July each year.
Get Started With Pioneer
If you’d like to learn more or want to learn how to start an application for one of the Pioneer online research programs, register to attend an info session.
We’ll make sure you have all the information you need and how you can get individualized guidance and submit your application.
