LAB Jumpstart
LAB Jumpstart 2024
Applications for LAB Jumpstart 2024 are OPEN. Please click here to access our Online Application System. Applications are due on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time. Letters of recommendation are due by Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time.
Program at a Glance:
- Combined after-school and summer research program to take place on campus at The Rockefeller University
- After-school portion meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30pm – 7pm; February 29 – June 13, 2024
- Summer portion (SSRP) requires up to 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday, June 24 – August 8, 2024
- Must be a high school junior or senior (aged 16+ at program start) enrolled in a NYC High School, and must commit to participate in the entire program
- Students who have had limited access to, or have been excluded from adequate STEM opportunities are strongly encouraged to apply
Program Overview:
RockEDU’s LAB Jumpstart program supports 16 high school students attending NYC schools in a combined after-school and summer research experience. The LAB Jumpstart program takes place across two phases, spanning March- August. In the first phase students will work after school and in the second phase students will work full-time on campus. The 2024 LAB Jumpstart session will take place in person, and is designed to promote the development of scientific thinking and research skills through a variety of talks, workshops, and individual mentorship. LAB Jumpstart is a member of the Science Research Mentoring Consortium where they are supported by the Pinkerton Foundation.
Student without prior research experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
Additional Program Details:
Phase One (Spring Session): Our Spring after-school sessions meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30pm — 7pm, February 29 through June 13, 2024. Students will be encouraged to develop and ask questions pertaining to scientific research, gain exposure to research skills and primary literature, and connect with dedicated scientist-mentors at The Rockefeller University.
LAB Jumpstart is facilitated by Rockefeller trainees, with support from RockEDU staff. Furthermore, each student is paired with a LAB Jumpstart Advocate — a practicing scientist who can provide educational and professional support beyond academic courses and discussions.
Phase Two (Summer Session): During the summer session, LAB Jumpstart students will participate in the SSRP, spending up to 35 hours per week, June 24 through August 8, 2024. Students will be assigned to an SSRP research team and will learn the foundations and experimental techniques necessary to carry out a research project.
You can learn more about the summer component of this program (SSRP) here.
Application Process:
Step 1: Complete the online application. Applications are due on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Time. No exceptions will be made to accommodate late applications. We encourage you to complete the application well in advance of the deadline.
Step 2: Selected LAB Jumpstart applicants will be invited for an interview, to take place over Zoom. Students will be notified in February if they are accepted to LAB Jumpstart.
Eligibility and Expectations:
To be eligible for LAB Jumpstart participation, students must be enrolled as a junior or senior in an NYC high school and be at least 16 years old at the start of the program. All participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and be willing to adhere to any related university guidelines. We cannot make exceptions.
Students accepted into the LAB Jumpstart program must commit to participating for the entirety of the program — this includes both the spring after-school and summer portions. We cannot accommodate part time participation. Please be aware: students are prohibited from using any aspect of work performed during LAB Jumpstart or SSRP for science competition submissions.