The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago partners with After School Matters to host a summer internship opportunity for Chicago Public Schools high school students interested in participating in an authentic research experience.
These summer internships offer insights into how science and engineering professionals work in an innovative, collaborative environment. Student interns also gain valuable experience for competitive college applications. Recent program participants in are enrolled in chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, theoretical physics, and mathematics programs at Northwestern, Brown, Johns Hopkins, Purdue, UIUC, Loyola, and the University of Missouri.
Learn more about past participants' experiences in the program, including Mia, Jabari, Isabella, Brianna, Alexandra, Vivanya/Miley/Ariel, and Tarik/Tony.
Interested in finding out more?
- Review the program details below.
- Stay up to date with program information by signing up for the Summer 2027 information list.
Applications for Summer 2027 will open in March.
Contact
If you have questions, contact us at pme-outreach@uchicago.edu.
The Program
The Program
The program is open to high school students for a 6-week summer research program and features:
- an opportunity to work in a research lab for 20 hours each week during the program
- a 1-week research bootcamp that introduces students to the basics of carrying out authentic research
- support from a mentoring team of UChicago PME researchers and education staff
- resources and support for the college application process
- science communication training and the opportunity to present your work in a variety of settings
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in the After School Matters STEM Lab Internship program, you must:
- attend a Chicago high school
- be at least 16 years old by the first day of the program
Benefits
If you are selected for this program you can expect the following benefits:
- Paid internship work
- An immersive research experience
- Being a part of a cohort of students from across the Chicago area
- Science communication training and college application preparation
Past Participants
Learn about the program experience by exploring the following stories highlighting some of our past participants:
How to Apply
Applications for Summer 2027 will open in March. Please fill out this form to be notified of program announcements and updates.