Versed Editors's blog

Although most students pursue internships during the summer, there are many great opportunities for students to intern during the school year. Internships are an opportunity for motivated students to explore their interests and career opportunities prior to college. These opportunities give students a leg up on determining what college majors to apply to, help students get a better sense for the types of careers they should focus on, and help in the college admissions process by demonstrating true interest in the major, field and program that they are applying for.

Several well-renowned institutions within the United States offer internship programs to high school students in various disciplines ranging from nonprofit to politics to science, to name a few. Listed here are internships for fall 2021 with deadlines right around the corner. Rising seniors looking to enhance their upcoming college applications, in particular, can make the most of these opportunities. Also, due to COVID, many internships are still run virtually, thus making it possible for students to apply to programs outside of their state. Hurry and apply to them before they fill up!

 

Internships with Cultural Institutions

 

Smithsonian Internships

About the Institution: The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. Originally founded in 1846, it houses 19 museums and the National Zoo. The prestigious Smithsonian museums help educate and share resources with the general public while preserving certain heritages and histories.

About the Internship: The Smithsonian offers a variety of internships ranging from interning with the Natural History Museum to the Smithsonian Libraries to the American Art Museum and so forth. Each application is managed and processed separately by its own unit. We have provided examples of some Smithsonian internships with approaching deadlines below. To look at their complete list of offerings, visit the official Smithsonian page on Smithsonian Internships: Mentor-Based Learning Opportunities. However, while browsing these options, keep in mind that they are not opportunities limited to highschool students, but offered to undergraduate and graduate students as well. Make sure to check the eligibility requirements.

 

Richard Louie Memorial Internship for High School Students

https://asia.si.edu/research/fellowships-internships/richardlouie/

Dates: Fall Semester

Application Deadline: 15 August 2021

The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery is the Smithsonian’s museum of Asian art. High schoolers who intern here are introduced to Asian art. Interns undertake independent projects within a departmental area of interest. In addition, interns will be included in other museum activities.

 

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Internship

https://smithsonianapa.org/internships/

Dates: Fall 2021 (September to December)

Application Deadline: 18 June 2021

This internship will run virtually for the fall of 2021. The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center is a migratory museum bringing Asian Pacific American history, art and culture to you through innovative museum experiences online and throughout the United States. The internship program will allow students to learn through direct exchanges with  artists, scholars, and cultural practitioners.  

 

National Museum of the American Indian Internship 

https://americanindian.si.edu/connect/internships

Dates: Fall; Starting September

Application Deadline: 6 July 2021

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) Internship provides educational opportunities for students interested in the museum profession and related fields. Students learn about the museum's collections, exhibitions, programs, and methodologies, and to meet professionals in the museum field. There may be limited virtual internships available in the fall of 2020. 

 

 

Washington Performing Arts Institution Internship 

About the Institution: Washington Performing Arts provides a platform to connect artists, audiences, students, and civic life. The institution’s achievements have been recognized with a National Medal of Arts and with three Mayor’s Arts Awards from the DC Government.

About the Internship: Washington Performing Arts offers motivated and creative highschool students hands-on exposure to all aspects of art management. The internship is personally tailored around each intern, allowing them to each explore art management, artists, and portfolio work in different ways.

Dates: Fall; August/ September to December: specific start and end dates determined individually 

Application Deadline: 27 June 2021

 

Internships in Science

 

NASA High School Internship Program

About the Institution: NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)  is the United States’

 independent agency for space exploration. Established in 1958, succeeding the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. NASA studies Earth, the climate, the sun, our solar system, and beyond. We conduct research, testing, and development to advance aeronautics, including electric propulsion and supersonic flight. We develop and fund space technologies that will enable future exploration and benefit life on Earth.

About the Internship: NASA provides internship opportunities to students from high school to the graduate level.The programs provide students’ with research and experiential learning under a mentor in NASA, enhancing their learnings in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students are made a part of authentic projects, and are not required to have prior knowledge before applying to the internship (though it is always a bonus). 

Dates: Fall; Late August/early September, mid-December, 16 weeks

Application Deadline: 9 July 2021 

 

For more information on STEM related opportunities for your high schooler, make use of our STEM Research for High School Students Guide which lists over 1,000 internships, summer and school year programs, and research opportunities. 

 

Internships with the Government 

 

U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program

About the Institution: The United States Department of State, or State Department, is an executive departpartment of the U.S. federal government that takes care of the country’s foreign policy and international relations

About the Internship: The U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Programs include the  Internship Experience Program (IEP)  and the  Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). Both programs provide students with opportunities to explore Federal careers. The IEP is a non temporary program wherein the internship lasts the length of the academic program for which the intern is enrolled. The ITEP is a temporary program wherein interns work during seasonal and holiday breaks in academic programs as well as year-round. Interns in this program are appointed to temporary appointments, not to exceed one year or their projected graduation date (whichever is shorter) and extensions may be made in one year increments. The positions to which the interns are appointed have no promotion potential, therefore, students must apply through USAJOBS to be considered for higher-graded positions. ITEP participants are not eligible for any other benefits until after conversion into the competitive service. To find out more about whether you met eligibility requirements and to see different dates to apply for, please contact Pathways@state.gov and visit https://careers.state.gov/work/pathways/internship-programs/. Dates and deadlines are flexible. 

 

 

Student Volunteer Trainee Program at Department of Education 

About the Institution: The United States Department of Education is responsible for providing educational resources and equal opportunities within the country to help promote student achievement. 

About the Internship: The volunteer program provides students with an opportunity to work with and contribute to education policy and administration. The opportunity allows students to strengthen skills in Human Resources Management, Training and Development, Data Analytics, Project Management, Education Policies, Grants Management, Communications, and Information Technology. 

Dates: Fall 2021

Application Deadline: 3 cut-off dates of June 11th, July 12th, and August 11th.

 

 

Internships with Nonprofit Organizations

 

United Planet Virtual Internship and VolunteerQuests

About the Institution: United Planet is a nonprofit organization located in Boston, Massachusetts that aims to create a global community. It connects volunteers with communities across the world to make a difference and engage with different cultures.  

About the Internship: The virtual internship program allows students to help connect with global communities through assisting the daily operations of the communities that they are working with. The tasks are tailored to the current needs of the organization and the skills of the volunteers. Tasks can surround areas related to health services, environmental sustainability, children and education, or community development. Application dates and deadlines are flexible. 

 

For additional insights, read:

Do High School Students Need a Focus?

Most Prestigious Summer Programs

Why Summer Jobs and Work Experience Matter When High School Students Apply to College

Meaningful Summer Activities that Enhance College Application

 

 

Subscribe to our Newsletter 

Receive inside track information on college admissions process, high school and middle school planning, general pre-college guidance, and be the first to know about our events and announcements.

 

By: Sohini Surapaneni

Summer doesn’t mean your child has to stop learning. Even during these upcoming months of  social-distancing, our digital world provides a platform for students all over the world to continue their education online. We compiled a short list of online resources your child may use to learn or expand their skills in:

Reading and Writing
Math
Science
Coding
Languages
Public Speaking
Visual Arts
Performing Arts

You may also scroll to the end for a section on virtual museums and tours.

This blog post. will specifically be geared towards middle school students, with websites and content that are easy to navigate for those in this age group. It is a continuation of our blog post 12 Things Middle Schoolers Can Do This Summer, and will delve into the details of the best online resources for middle school students.

 

Reading and Writing

Middle school is usually the first exposure students have to classics such as Romeo and Juliet or Beowulf, that can sometimes be difficult to comprehend in class. Your middle schooler can get a head start by reading free classics through The Harvard Classics. If your family has an Apple device, the built-in Apple Books app also has hundreds of free e-books, especially for famous classic novels. If your child isn’t as into classics, they can check out the recommended book lists from their school. John Hopkins, Goodreads and K-12 Reading Lists are also good lists to browse. Most local libraries will also have recommended readings for every age group and  e-books make it convenient to borrow and try out many of the books.

IXL is a popular resource used both in and out of schools. It allows students K-12 to do practice exercises and master various skills in the language arts, earning awards along the way. While there is a free version, you may purchase unlimited access with a membership. Double check to make sure your student doesn’t already have a school account!

Newsela offers up-to-date and interesting articles that match students’ reading levels based on their grade level or Lexile scores (which students often test for in school). This is best for middle schoolers that would like to get exposed to nonfiction works. Each article even ends with a multiple-choice quiz and a writing prompt to assess their comprehension. Newsela is free, but a paid version with additional learning tools is also available at $18 per student.

Zinc Learning Labs has tools, games, and quizzes to help middle and high school students improve their vocabulary. This is a paid program, but you can sign up for a free demo here.

Libivrox has over 5,000 audiobooks read by volunteers, free for those in the United States. Another audiobook website is Audible, which is offering hundreds of free audiobooks to children during Covid-19. Students can listen along as they actually read the books, or they can simply listen in their free time to get a better understanding of the fluency and vocabulary that goes into writing.

Write the World is an online community of writers ages 13-18. This resource allows students to compete in monthly writing competitions, have access to several writing prompts, and even participate in peer review.

Top Score Writing allows students between grades 2 - 8 to sign up for free weekly video lessons with an accompanying writing curriculum. Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab is an incredible resource that will teach students the fundamentals of writing including  how to write a thesis, to develop an outline for essays, and how to provide proper citations. These skills will provide a solid foundation -- for not only writing in high school, but college as well.

 

Math

IXL is a popular resource not only for the language arts, but for math as well. The math topic stretches from kindergarten up until introductory calculus. IXL allows students to do practice exercises to master various math skills and earn awards. If the free version is insufficient, you may purchase a membership here and view the pricing for it here. As many schools use IXL, make sure your student doesn’t already have a school account before paying for one.

Khan Academy offers online tutorial for every core subject, yet their math program is exceptional in covering every topic, from counting to calculus. Your child can go through lessons by grade, or can skip around by math topics, such as algebra or geometry, to improve areas where they might be struggling. Khan Academy is entirely free.

Prodigy is a free math platform that covers over 1,500 math skills for students between grades 1 - 8. It tests skills through games, making this a popular and fun opportunity to practice math. Parents may also subscribe to a membership at a very low price.

Helping With Math has a large number of games, quizzes and printable worksheets for students up until eighth grade. Math Games has games, quizzes, and worksheets that covers math concepts up until eighth grade.

Freckle gives each student an online pretest to assess what level of math each student is at, and suggests practice based on their results. Although most popular for math, Freckle also has useful resources in the Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Parents can read more about Freckle and create a free parent account here. Math Antics is another free website with video lessons on topics up until algebra basics. Subscription options are also available, which give access to additional materials.

With a 30-day free trial and a $10/month subscription, Flocabulary uniquely uses hip-hop music to teach concepts in math, language arts, science, vocabulary and life skills by providing fun activities and assessment tools to help students gain mastery.

Be sure to check out our blog Definitive Guide to Math Enrichment for additional information.

 

Science

CK-12 is essentially a free online textbook, with the additions of videos and interactive simulations, to help students learn key terms and concepts in physics, chemistry, biology, physical science, and earth science. This website also has resources for math, social studies, and english.

National Geographic has geography-based articles, encyclopedic entries, videos, maps and

photographs in topics that many middle schoolers coover in their science classes, including the water cycle, human impacts on the environment, and evolution. Although this website was meant to be used as a resource for teachers, the articles within can be searched for by topics (including physics, anthropology, engineering, and ecology) or grade level.

The National Science Digital Library is a large and free database with online lectures, assessments, courses, labs and interactives for grade levels K - 12. Once again, this resource is meant to be used by teachers, although the material that is found can be used by anyone for any student. Topics of potential study include air pollution, cells, and energy.

Khan Academy includes a series of videos and practice that allows students to delve into the basics or advanced topics of subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, health sciences, and engineering. They often partner with organizations such as NASA, Stanford School of Medicine, NOVA labs, MIT, and the American Museum of Natural History to provide self-paced video courses for students.

The Utah Education Network has a series of free labs and interactives for students in grades 7 -12. Students can learn the structure of neurons, how to balance chemical equations, or even do a virtual lab on gravity.

Science NetLinks has a science reading suggestion list and several free interactives that students can use to learn about topics such as the use of antibiotics, gravity, and planets.

Game On is a website dedicated to online learning for kids through the use of fun and free online games. Their attached links include the National Institute of Health Sciences and Physics Games.

 

Coding

Code.org is a nonprofit website geared towards teaching school aged children (K-12) how to code online for free. A full course list can be found here, with search filters to find the one that fits your child the best. They also have courses that teach students how to code for apps, games, and websites using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, where students can save their work with a free account. Their most popular course is a 30-hour online Computer Science Fundamentals Express course which is a great starting point for beginners. Code.org also has a 46-page Computer Science Discoveries curriculum designed for you or an educator to work with your child. This curriculum covers Problem Solving, Web Development, Animations and Games, The Design Process, Data and Society, and Physical Computing.

Code.org has an alternate program and website called Hour of Code, which has hundreds of projects that can each be completed in approximately an hour. You or your child may search for projects created for students between grades 6 to 8 here.

Another resource is Khan Academy, a recurrent staple for online learning. Their page on computer programming includes introductions to several coding languages, such as Javascript, HTML, CSS, and SQL. There are videos that will teach students how to manage data, animate, create games and code for websites. There is also a page where students can obtain project evaluations, ask questions, or request feedback. Khan Academy even has a partnership with Pixar, which specifically gives an insight on Pixar animation, useful for students looking to combine coding with their artistic interests.

Created by MIT students, Scratch is “a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation with people from all over the world.” It was designed for children between the ages of 8 - 16. Rather than teaching kids to type out difficult code, it relies on pre-written blocks of code that students can stack to create projects. Children will ultimately outgrow Scratch, which is not a practical coding language like HTML or Javascript. Either way, it is an excellent introduction to the concept of coding, especially for younger middle schoolers.

Codecademy is a free online platform that offers programming classes in Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, C++, HTML, and CSS. It provides interactive lessons, using real-world skills, for daily practice. This website may not specifically be directed towards students in middle school, but has digestible courses that most middle school students would not struggle with.  Free, but a premium version with additional features, including tailored lessons, is $19/month. 

 

Languages

Perhaps one of the more popular language websites, Duolingo offers free, interactive and bite sized lessons in 35 different languages. Each lesson is personalized, allows each student to learn at one’s own pace, and the short 5-10 minute lessons allow for incremental breaks for those with shorter attention spans. You can see a full list here. Duolingo is available as an iOS and Android app, allowing your child to learn on the go. This platform is known for its green owl logo, which will take your child through their lessons and send daily reminders. Some of the most enrolled languages on Duolingo include French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. Duolingo is free, although it costs $9.99 a month to go ad-free.

On the other hand, Rosetta Stone is an award winning language program that requires a paid subscription, and is available as an app and online. It offers instruction in 25 languages, listed here. One unique aspect of Rosetta Stone is that it helps people improve accent-specific pronunciations through an advanced speech-recognition engine. It is especially recommended for beginning language learners, as its software drills students until they have the vocabulary down. This repetitive format makes it an excellent choice for middle schoolers and younger students, it may not be the most useful for students close to achieving proficiency. Currently, there is a three month free trial for students available here. Usually, the cost is $179 for the first “level” of language, in which all five levels cost $479.

While online software is effective, middle school students may lack the motivation to stick to a steady self-learning schedule. For this reason, online tutors are perhaps the best way for middle schoolers to learn a language online. Not only will tutors help instill a sense of responsibility in your child, but they can also personalize a study plan based on how advanced your child is in a language. Tutors are more likely to catch onto pronunciation errors and help your child work on conversational skills they may not be able to practice otherwise. Popular online tutor websites include Verbal Planet, italki, and livelingua, where you can match your child to a tutor. Websites like lingoda and Take Lessons offer group lessons too, which are a cheaper alternative and might even introduce your child to other middle schoolers learning the same language. The cost is approximately $20 - $40 for a 45 Minute Private Lesson, and can drop as low as $10 for a 60 Minute Group Lesson.

 

Public Speaking

This course on Udemy, called Public Speaking for kids, is taught by instructors with decades of experience, all for $115. If the price is a little steep, don’t worry! Udemy often offers discounts, and you may be able to access this course for as low as $15. Just keep an eye out for any coupons, or keep checking the website to see when there is a sale. This course requires students to record themselves and is actually targeted towards elementary students, so younger middle schoolers are more likely to benefit from this course.

Elder students may actually benefit more by taking online adult courses for public speaking, such as this one on Coursera by the University of Washington. This course can be made free with an audit, which means the student will not receive an official certificate of completion. It teaches students how to understand speech, make their ideas compelling to others, delivery, and overcoming fear. It can be paired with a series of other similar courses to get a comprehensive understanding of public speaking. Other adult courses include this one by Harvard, and this one by Rochester Institute of Technology.  

The Academy for Public Speaking is another option, currently with online camps, courses and private lessons. The start dates and registration for a lot of these courses at the moment have passed, but the academy hosts programs regularly. They even have occasional free classes that you may request a notification for here. Their private lessons can get expensive, costing hundreds of dollars, but can really tailor to your child’s needs. 

 

Visual Arts

The Art Studio NY, one of the best art studios in New York, is offering online art classes through the online chat platform Zoom. Their classes for kids work with cartooning, drawing, painting, fashion design, and even step-by-step drawing. Current pre-teen and teen classes can be found here. They usually cost a couple hundred dollars, but each purchase includes several sessions and topics.

Another art studio to look into is Private Picassos. Their lessons each follow a specific lesson plan, with topics including bookmaking, clay modeling, acrylic on canvas, watercolors, and drawing technique. Private lessons can be booked for several siblings at a time for a discounted price, which you can read about here. If your child is more skilled, you may even inquire about adult lessons for them.

Video School Online has a database of several art courses, including drawing/painting and photography classes for kids, which both cost under $15 dollars. Video school also offers a one-month free trial, which you may then choose to turn into a $12/month subscription.

Kitchen Table Classroom  is a free art website that also offers several free online classes, in painting and drawing. New materials are regularly posted online. Parents must subscribe by filling out a free form available at the end of this page, to get the password to access the free resources. 

As the visual arts have a large range of categories, we also suggest you take a look at this link for compilation of best traditional online art classes. For beginner and advanced photography courses, we suggest you accordingly take a look at this and this for a complete list. Some of the best online film courses can be found here. These are not specifically designed for middle school children, yet most of these courses are self-paced, allowing them to go at a pace that suits them.

 

Performing Arts

Playbill has put together a list of  25 Theatre-Related Online Resources, including  free online musical theatre classes and free weekly theatre workshops for teens.

Additional resources include Sparketh, which teaches art, dance, music, singing, and acting to kids and teens through high quality video courses. Mentors, or experienced creative professionals, create these video lessons that have unlimited access for a subscription of $25/month.

Certain acting studios offer online classes. LA-based Michelle Danner is a reputable example. Online lessons are offered in five different European languages, including Spanish, and last between 4 to 8 weeks, costing hundreds of dollars. The structures and topics of each course are available here. Beyond acting techniques, courses teach students how to manage their anxiety, reduce accents, and develop creative writing skills. Private coaching is also available; Michelle Danner herself teaches classes with a maximum of 12 students. Keep in mind that you may also research your local acting studios and inquire about online coaching. The biggest barrier to online classes at studios tends to be prices.

Take Lessons connects students to online instructors in music, languages and academics, including acting teachers. You can scroll through this list of currently available online acting instructors, and adjust the search filters by ratings, languages, and specialities. The best part about private teachers is the flexibility, and they will plan out coursework that matches their students’ strengths and weaknesses. Private lessons usually cost about $25/half an hour, and even less for group lessons. Live online classes are most recommended for students looking to master an instrument or vocals.

 

Virtual Museums

The New York Met is one of the largest art museums. This website has a “Big Ideas” search tool that allows kids to look into topics like inventions, fashion, battles, and view artifacts related to the topic. There is also an interactive map, complete with various exhibitions on art around the world. Art museums like The Met may be especially interesting for students interested in art, history, politics, culture, or global matters.

Most famous for the Mona Lisa, the Louvre is an art museum located in France that also offers online tours on exhibitions ranging from ancient Egypt, to medieval architecture, to the connections between art and politics.

Additional art museums with online tours include the British Museum, where the real Rosetta Stone is located, Washington DC’s National Gallery of Art, Paris’s Musée d’Orsay, Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, and  National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea.

For students interested in natural science, The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History includes online and even narrated tours of  their permanent exhibits, current exhibits, past exhibits, and research centers. These exhibitions include an insight on dinosaur skeletons and ancient civilizations. Not only that, the virtual tours also have several follow up activities or readings to do after completion.

Space science is also a popular museum topic. NASA's Glenn Research Center lets students view wind tunnels, laboratories, and even the famous Hubble Telescope. If your child is especially curious, they may even search through the official NASA website to listen to their podcasts, read their ebooks, or look through their official images of space.

Other science-lovers may prefer the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, which includes online tours on exhibitions for every age group on subjects ranging from math, to biology, to engineering.

Virtual tours are available for countless museums that cover all sorts of historical events, aquariums, sciences and art forms. Some museums may even have specific online interactive readings or games for kids. A good place to start touring, however, may actually be Google's Arts and Cultures database, which includes online tours and walkthroughs of over 1,200 international museums. 

 

Need help digesting all of this?

The amount of resources out there can be overwhelming. We are here to help. If you would like help planning enrichment activities for your student, please get in touch with us so learn how we can help your family through this unusual time.

 

Be sure to download The Versed Middle School Guide below for insights into how to help your child get the most out of middle school years.

 

Here are some additional insights on the middle school years:

12 Things Middle Schoolers Can Do This Summer

Guide to Gifted and Talented Programs and Are They Worth It?

7 Things Every Middle School Parents Should Know 

Parenting Advice: How to Help Guide Your Child to Find an Interest

2019 Splash Is Back and Filling Up Quickly - Classes at MIT, Yale, Northwestern, Stanford and Other Top Schools for Middle and High Schools Students

 

Subscribe to our Newsletter 

Receive inside track information on college admissions process, high school and middle school planning, general pre-college guidance, and be the first to know about our events and announcements.

 

 

About Sohini Surapaneni:

Sohini is currently a student at New York University focusing on Economics major and a double minor in philosophy and business studies. She is passionate about helping Versed’s mission to make educational resources accessible to everyone, and regularly contributes to the blog. Her articles are researched and supplemented by her and her peers experience going through the college application process (and of course with her immigrant parents by her side!).

 

 

 

By: Sohini Surapaneni

Even if your teen isn’t looking into business as a potential major, business skills are incredibly useful in nearly every field and every job. In light of recent social distancing measures, this summer is an excellent time to use the internet and learn the basic skills and fundamental concepts of business.

Gaining business skills is an excellent head start for future business majors and for students looking for internships, where listing concrete skills could make a difference on their resume. Business skills are even useful for students with leadership positions in school clubs or organizations. Your teen may use marketing skills when fundraising for Habitat for Humanity, or make accounting spreadsheets as a treasurer for student government. Motivated students may even decide to start their own business or non-profit, and an understanding of entrepreneurship, finance, marketing and management will improve their probability of success.

Pre-college summer programs in business specifically for high school students are available at top undergraduate business schools such as NYU Stern, UPenn Wharton, and UMichign Ross. These are usually in-person and on campus, but due to Covid-19, programs are either cancelled or conducted remotely for Summer 2020. While acceptance to these pre-college programs does not guarantee admission to the university later on, it is a valuable way to spend a summer. That being said, the greatest barrier to doing these pre-college programs is cost, which can amount to thousands of dollars. The application deadlines for most of these programs have passed, but they may be worth considering for future summers.

The good news is that there are plenty of free or inexpensive classes online for students interested in taking classes in practically every field within business. For the sake of simplicity, this blog will cover the recommended courses and benefits of taking online courses in the following four categories:

- Finance
- Marketing
- Management
- Entrepreneurship

The courses we recommend are simply suggestions. Your teen can search for specific courses through online learning platforms such as EdX and Coursera, who partner with companies and universities to offer free and paid-for courses in various subjects. Most courses on these websites are free to take, but require payment or a subscription to get an official certificate of completion that can be listed on a resume. If payment is an issue, EdX and Coursera also offer need-based financial aid. Class Central is a database that you can use to search and sift through free online classes. Youtube videos are another resource for free online lectures. If your student is not sure if they would like to take business classes in the future, a great way to start is with a basic economics course. If their high school does not offer economics, they can try University of Illinois’s Microeconomics Principles course or University of California Irvine’s Principle of Macroeconomics. If your student would like to delve into specific business categories, that’s when they might want to start taking courses or teaching themselves about finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship.

 

Finance

Finance is all things related to managing company funds including accounting. A great place to start is through MIT’s class on EdX called Financial Accounting. Financial Accounting is a required introductory course for most business majors that covers basic accounting - reading balance sheets, managing debt and ethics. Most high school students take a course in Consumer Education in order to graduate. Financial Accounting is a continuation of this course --- just far more detailed, related to finance and specific to accounting. Financial Accounting is an excellent starting point for the students that would like an initial exposure to finance, even if they do not want to pursue it as a major.

If your teen would like to continue learning about finance, the next step would be to take an introductory foundational course. Great choices would be Columbia University’s Introduction to Corporate Finance or MIT’s Foundations of Modern Finance I and II, which will cover theories and topics regarding investments, bonds and risk.

If your teen is interested in investing and wants to get involved in an Investment Club at school, there are many great books, articles and youtube videos on this subject. This Bill Ackman video is a great place to start. Udemy’s Stock Market from Scratch gives a great overview and Morningsta’s Investing Basics class provides one of the best free in-depth lessons. Khan Academy also has a good unit on personal finance that covers investment, retirement and stocks.

 

Marketing

To get introduced to marketing itself, UPenn Wharton has a course called Introduction to Marketing that will teach students the three key concepts of marketing: “branding, customer centricity, and practical, go-to-market strategies.” For students that would like a foundation of digital marketing in order to find virtual internships for the summer, this Seven-Course Specialization in Digital Marketing from the University of Illinois goes in depth. Some digital marketing internships require the ability to code in languages such as HTML. Your teen can take a look at Best of Online Learning: Coding for resources on how to get started.

For young people interested in marketing, a significant premium is placed on online marketing skills, including website development, social media, videos and blogs. Social media marketing is actually one of the fastest growing business opportunities, where even students can find work opportunities. Virtual Internship Opportunities for High School Students addresses some of the steps involved in securing an internship this summer.

Because marketing is incredibly data driven, it is also important to gain an understanding of statistics. If not an option at their high school, students can even take an introductory statistics course through University of Amsterdam’s Basic Statistics, or IIMB’s Statistics for Business I and II. Statistics is also applicable in other fields, including finance, making it an essential math course for any student looking to get into business.

 

Management  

Management is the planning and organization of internal operations within a company. Compared to the other categories in business, management relies on soft skills such as communication, emotional and social intelligence, and people skills. No matter what industry students are interested in, an understanding of these soft skills is incredibly useful to land a job or internship.

University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign has a course called Operations Management: Analysis and Improvement Methods, which focuses on the technique and analytical aspects of sales, operations and management. On the other hand, the University of California - Irvine has a course called Project Management: The Basics for Success, which focuses more on the communication, planning, and leadership skills behind management.

IESE, a reputable European business school, has a Five-Course Specialization on management, which covers accounting, finance, marketing, and organizational behavior. Part of the course puts the student in real-life situations where they need to apply what they learn in a management setting. A big part of management is not what is learnt in the books, but how much a student can apply it in real life.

UPenn Wharton also has a course called Global Business Strategy. Beyond decision-making and economics, this course covers social impact and the ethics of business. It teaches students how to “apply effective business strategies to real-world problems through a deep understanding of the global practices and trends shaping the world today.” This course could serve as inspiration to your teen if they have any goals of entrepreneurship, leadership, global business or social-impact.

University of California Irvine has a course called Communication in the Workplace, which covers topics such as communications styles, obstacles to communication, and proven techniques for effective conference calls and webinars. Not only is this effective for students that would like to learn management skills, but it is also essential as your teen goes on to land internships and job offers. Effective communication, both in-person and online, verbal and nonverbal, reveals a level of professionalism and real-world skills that are useful during interviews and in various careers.

Other useful courses include UPenn’s Improving Communication Skills, which covers concepts such as trust, deception and cooperation. University of Illinois - Urbana has a course called Foundations of Everyday Leadership and a follow-up course called Applications of Everyday Leadership, which start off their Strategic Leadership and Management course series.    

 

Entrepreneurship  

An entrepreneur is someone who designs, launches and runs a new business. Entrepreneurship is unlike other business fields in that it requires  creativity, initiative, and ability to manage a fledgling business to a variable state and beyond. Below are some courses from reputable universities that take students through the process of creating a start-up. Even if your teen would like to start a non-profit, nearly all of these skills overlap and are worth checking out.

The University of Pennsylvania - Wharton has a Series of Entrepreneurship Courses, which collectively take about 43 hours. Each course tackles one of the four major stages in creating a start-up -- beginning with developing the opportunity, and ending with an Entrepreneurship Capstone Project, in which students create a pitch deck for the idea. According to UPenn, “the top-scoring projects will be introduced to the most appropriate venture capital firms in Wharton Entrepreneurship’s network, according to region and sector.” These venture capital firms will essentially invest real money into the best pitch decks to help make these start-up ideas a successful reality.

The University of Maryland has a similar Series of Entrepreneurship Courses, which is made of four sections. It starts with the development of ideas, and ends with a capstone project. Unlike UPenn’s entrepreneurship course series, the University of Maryland does not score capstone projects or introduce students to potential investors. That being said, this is still a highly rated entrepreneurship series that takes about 35 hours to complete.

This last option is from University of Leeds, which is located in England. This is the shortest of the three programs, taking about 24 hours in total to complete. It has six courses, the first of which is called Starting a Business 1: Vision and Opportunity. In addition to essential topics such as generating ideas, funding, and progress, this series also uniquely covers networking and teamwork, which are incredibly valuable even outside of entrepreneurship.

 

For additional information and insights, check out our other blogs:

Best of Online Learning - University Classes

Best of Online Learning - Music and Art 

Best of Online Learning - Coding

Best of Online Learning - Languages

 

About Sohini Surapaneni:

Sohini is currently a student at New York University focusing on Economics major and a double minor in philosophy and business studies. She is passionate about helping Versed’s mission to make educational resources accessible to everyone, and regularly contributes to the blog. Her articles are researched and supplemented by her and her peers experience going through the college application process (and of course with her immigrant parents by her side!).

 

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Technology is an essential tool in today’s society. As a result, it has become a valuable resume building asset for students interested in STEM, business and many other fields. Whether your teen intends on majoring in STEM or not, coding can be an important skill that demonstrates critical thinking, problem solving abilities, and even persistence.  Fortunately, with all of the online sources available today, learning to code can be a relatively simple process. We have compiled below a list of the most popular and effective websites that teach coding to students with varying levels of experience, and allow them to work at their own pace. All of these offer Python, which is a common introductory coding language that is notable for being easy to learn. More experienced coders can learn languages such as Java and C++. 

 

Code.org

Code.org is a nonprofit website geared towards teaching school aged children (K-12) how to code online for free. They offer several courses in basic programming languages that are easy to digest for younger students, but also have a section of their website dedicated to recent high school graduates. A full course list can be found here, with search filters to find the one that fits your teen the best. They also have courses that teach students how to code for apps, games, and websites using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

 

Cost: Free

Pros: Free

Cons: More useful for younger teens

Skillcrush

Skillcrush is a beginner friendly coding resource that delivers emails with bite-sized, 5 minute courses. Purchasing “blueprints” allow students to combine these classes into comprehensive courses. Each blueprint costs either $399 up front, or three monthly payments of $149. Here is a list of available blueprints. Upon completion of a blueprint, Skillcrush provides a letter of recommendation, a portfolio of code, and an official Certificate of Completion. Students can also purchase individual skill courses, which cost $175 each. They have a frequently updated blog that provides useful information on topics such as how programming can be incorporated into careers and the types of coding languages. 

 

Cost: Free email service, but courses cost a one time payment $399, or three monthly payments of $149 -- additional skills can be purchased for $175

Pros: Low time commitment for email service, in-depth courses may be purchased

Cons: Cost, may not be the best option for experienced coders

 

Codecademy

Codecademy is a free online platform that offers programming classes in Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, C++, HTML, and CSS. It provides interactive lessons for daily practice. Codecademy is notable for teaching real world programming skills through different learning modules called “career paths” such as web development and data science. These paths offer a comprehensive learning experience, where the students are taught how to apply real world programming skills. The estimated time it would take to complete each career path, as well as additional information, is listed here. 

 

Cost: Free, but a premium version with additional features is $19/month (free trial is available)

Pros: Cost, “career paths” options
Cons: Does not give official Certificate of Completion that may be useful to list on a resume

 

Udemy

Udemy is an online learning platform that has over 2,000 user-created courses dedicated to coding. While most online instructors are not legally and fully qualified, the ratings for each class are good indicators of how effective it is. There is a fee for most classes but many of the short beginner coding lessons are offered for free. Paid classes typically offer Certificate of Completion. Udemy regularly offers discounts, so be sure to check their website or search for discount codes prior to signing up. While prices range from $9 - $300 per month, about 90% of Udemy’s users find discounts that will lower the price. 

 

Cost: Free options available, paid options range from $9 - $300/month

Pros: Large variety of coding classes, frequent discounts make it budget friendly

Cons: User-created - online instructors may not be fully qualified, hence certificate of completion is not recognized by employers, requires a subscription -- meaning you must pay until the course is finished (based on time to complete)

 

MIT

MIT Open Courseware is part of MIT’s goal to make all of their education materials from their courses free, which happens to include several courses on coding. Students can learn Java, C++, and even MATLAB through video lectures and assignments. A complete list of introductory programming courses can be found here.

 

Cost: Free

Pros: Free, accredited institution

Cons: No professional Certificate of Completion

 

Coursera

Coursera has online courses in a huge range of subjects from accredited universities and programs and offers over a 100 courses in coding alone. Completion includes an official certificate, and there is a great diversity of choices in course difficulties. While students can work at their own pace, it usually takes about 12 hours to complete each course. Interactive courses are supplemented by videos. Students may also pursue a specialization or professional certificate, like this one from IBM, that consists of a series of courses that teach coding and other analytical skills. They can take a month or more to complete.

 

Cost: Free to audit, fee for graded assignments and to earn a Certificate. Monthly subscription of $39-79/month available to access a collection of courses - “Specialization” -- a free week trial offered

Pros: Offered by accredited universities with official Certificates of Completion, offers need-based financial aid

Cons: Requires a subscription -- meaning you must pay until the course is finished (based on time to complete)

 

EdX

EdX  is another online platform with courses often backed by accredited institutions, including companies such as Microsoft and elite universities such as Harvard and MIT. There are many free classes, although just as many require a subscription. This search engine can be used to narrow down classes and view prices. Courses are once again conducted interactively, with videos to supplement. Similar to Coursera, professional certificates are available.

 

Cost: Many free courses, $50 - $300 to obtain a verified certificate

Pros: Offered by accredited universities with official Certificates of Completion, EdX offers need-based financial aid

Cost: Some courses can be more expensive

 

 

 

For additional information and insights, check out our blog:

Best of Online Learning - Languages

Most Prestigious Summer Programs

Do High School Students Need a Focus?

Intro to Science Research

 

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One of the benefits of high school is that classes are offered in more than just the four core subjects. Students are exposed to a wider array of fields, specialties, and opportunities to explore their passions. There are advanced-level courses, clubs, and out-of-school activities built to encourage your child to grow both academically and personally. Students with a budding interest in science may find their curiosity is peaked by a chemistry class or a robotics workshop. Those with a love for writing may discover a whole new role on the school newspaper. There are countless paths upon which your student can find themselves. 

 

During this period, your child may develop a special interest or knack for a specific subject. Not every student will experience this draw to a particular class, but it is important to encourage high schoolers to pursue what interests them. High school is a great opportunity for students to develop a focus. This does not need to be a future major or a career path, just something that gives them direction for the years to come. This focus may guide their choice in extracurriculars, clubs, summer opportunities, internships, and other involvements. Overall, it should be something that gives them pride and helps motivate them in the classroom. 

 

An added bonus to developing a focus is that it can ease the college admissions process by providing students an academic interest, an identifier, a way to see themselves as an applicant. It gives them something to talk, explain, even brag about. It can also provide them with direction when it comes to picking out college classes. Students that don’t enter college with an interest, academic or otherwise, in mind may risk spending valuable years pursuing the wrong major or not settling on one in time. This can cause them to take longer to graduate, costing additional time and money. 

 

While a focus can help with college apps, this fact shouldn’t pressure students into forcing one to materialize. Odds are, one won’t appear overnight. It’s more likely that they develop a focus over time. It doesn’t have to be hyper-specific either. Students may generally gravitate towards the humanities or creative projects. Others may do best working with their hands or leading a group. Some high schoolers have multiple interests and there’s no clear frontrunner. 

 

Students without a focus should spend time trying to identify one. Even the beginnings of one. They’re not always obvious. Potential areas of interest include mathematics, foreign language, history, science, English, or even fine art. A student’s focus should speak to who they are, what their strengths are, and what they like to do. Have your student ask themselves: 

 

What classes do they enjoy? What extracurriculars? Why? 

 

What type of work are they most enthusiastic about? (Papers, labs, art projects)

 

Who are their role models? Professionally or otherwise? 

 

What jobs or professions are they curious about?

 

What do they want to do (besides earn money)? 

 

Most high school students don’t view the few classes they’ve taken as gateways to entire fields of study. The pressures and monotony of the school day may not have encouraged them to feel particularly passionate about any subject, even those that they perform well in. 

 

The average high schooler doesn’t necessarily have an obvious subject that they’re passionate about or one that they would single out in this way. Some do, but most don’t. The problem isn’t that they’re actually uninterested. It’s more that they aren’t seeing their interests in the context of the larger picture. Most may not think of their minor interests as a stepping stone to something else. They don’t consider a position on a club board or volunteer involvement as indicative of anything beyond that month or that year.

 

Help your child to expand their thought process and think critically about where the things they like (online videos, fashion, cars, sports teams, even social media) come from, how they get there, and what roles are involved in its creation. 

If your student likes watching medical dramas… 

If they enjoy listening to mystery podcasts… 

If your child has read every graphic novel… 

If they help organize student protests… 

It’s not always obvious, but with some brainstorming and research, all students will realize that they do in fact have interests. Not just hobbies and favorite musical artists. 

 

Encourage your student to figure out what they actually enjoy doing and then brainstorm about how to translate that into a focus. Students don't need to evolve into geniuses in their chosen field. They merely need to feel curious and motivated to continue their studies. Their focus should be something they want to spend time exploring. It may even be something your student can see themselves transforming it into a career (but it doesn’t have to be!).

 

Have them consider their life outside of school. What do they do in their free time? Think about what your student is drawn to. What do they do outside of homework and academic commitments? How might their interests (even the small ones) translate into an area of focus? 

 

For example:

If your student enjoys baking and experimenting in the kitchen, they may like chemistry. 

If your child spends time building a gaming computer, they might enjoy exploring engineering. Even high schoolers that watch too much Netflix may find themselves interested in screenwriting or filmmaking once they realize the two aren’t all that different. 

 

In brainstorming, think about how your student can explore their focus further while in high school. Are there opportunities for them to take classes or workshops during the summer? Can they intern with someone in that field? Does their school offer courses or clubs in that area? It may help to talk to other students, particularly older ones, about their discovery process and how they grew their interest into a proven focus.  

 

If you are interested in speaking with one of our Advisors about helping your student find a focus, you can schedule an introductory free consultation here.

 

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For additional information and insights, check out our blog: 

Most Prestigious Summer Programs

Meaningful Summer Activities that Enhance College Applications

High School Extracurriculars Simplified

How to Help Your Teens Manage Their Time

When Students Should Quit Activities

How to choose colleges to apply to

 

 

 

Most universities offer high schoolers the opportunity to study on campus over the summer. Typically via weeks or months-long residential programs, younger students are given the opportunity to play at being college students, walking across the quad to their advanced level courses as any other student would do during the school year.

This is debatably their intended purpose. Publically, most colleges maintain that their prestigious-sounding summer programs are meant to give high schoolers a taste of the college experience. They eat in the dining halls, sleep in the dorms, and most importantly take the kind of challenging academic courses that they’d encounter as a matriculated student. It’s a learning experience. 

This opportunity may seem like a dream for most students, particularly those that may feel understimulated or underwhelmed by the standard high school course load. There are definite advantages to exposing high schoolers to other subjects, greater challenges, and areas of study that break the boundaries of their current learning environment. Most high schools don’t offer classes in global health, film studies, journalism, modern art, or public policy and a summer program is a perfect opportunity for your student to explore those subjects. 

Moreover, accepted students are treated like Scholars and not merely Campers. A summer spent at a big-name university with like-minded peers may be what a student needs to really spark their interest in something and propel them into their college career. 

However, although this may seem like a great investment for high schoolers that are eager for that next chapter of their academic career, there are some misperceptions and setbacks to these programs that parents need to be aware of.

 

Pay-To-Play

First, the majority of these programs are outright expensive. Even for those with the means, there is an undeniable cost. With a price tag anywhere between $3,000 and 7,000 (more if you include travel, board, food, and other expenses), families are basically paying college tuition. 

While some may be willing to see this as a chunk of change well spent, the amount of money most summer programs charge changes the dynamic and diversity of the programs themselves. The high cost of admission creates a “pay-to-play” scenario, meaning only those with means can participate and are basically paying for the privilege to do so. Everyone else regardless of talent is left out. 

 

No Guarantees

Families should also be aware that most of these programs, while educational in nature, are still for profit. They exist to make money. Moreover, not every program is organized by the host institution. Some are run by companies that are simply renting classroom/dorm space while relying on the sway of a big name to attract participants. 

Those programs that are run by the universities in question maintain that no preference is given to summer program attendees. Participation in a summer course on their campus only shows an admissions committee that the applicant had an early interest in a subject. They do not guarantee entry or preference. 

The way most colleges see it, the main advantage of these programs is social experience and academic growth. Your child will graduate from their summer program with some new friends and a rudimentary understanding of advanced chemistry. They may be a stronger student and a more confident person, but they will not have earned themselves a spot at that institution.

 

 

So what’s the point of attending a summer program if it won’t help with admissions? With competition steeper than ever and students having to compete tooth and nail to appeal to admissions committees, why spend a whole summer (and a whole lot of money) on something that won’t set your child apart? 

There are still definitely advantages. While a summer program at a top tier university may be expensive and not guarantee your child’s admittance to their top choice school, there is still a chance that that summer is otherwise impactful for them. Your student may attend that astronomy lecture or group debate on ethics that changes the course of their academic career. They may discover their passion for a new subject or meet a similarly inspired peer that becomes a lifelong friend. 

A summer course may prepare them to be more competitive in school or give them the leg up they need to apply to more rigorous programs down the line. Keep in mind, there are programs that will turn an admissions officer’s heads. They are incredibly competitive and spaces are limited. But outside of those truly competitive programs, spending a summer studying debate or college-level physics may be the stepping stone your child needs to get to that level. 

 

The important thing to remember is that there are both advantages and disadvantages. And again: no guarantees. Whether or not that’s “worth it” is ultimately up to the student and their family. 

 

If you are interested in speaking with one of our Advisors about summer opportunities, you can schedule a free consultation here.

 

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Most Prestigious Summer Programs

Meaningful summer activities that enhance college application

High School Extracurriculars Simplified

Intro to Science Research

 

 

Driven students in the math and science fields may want to pursue research opportunities as early as high school. Experience in a lab or in the field is a learning experience unlike what your child has with textbooks and teachers. These opportunities are excellent ways for students to further explore their academic interests and even develop a specialty in a certain field. A research position is also a great way for talented students to prove their passions and set themselves apart during college admissions. Securing a competitive position as a research assistant shows real dedication, ambition, and skill in a high schooler. 

While your child may have a chosen profession or have an area of study in mind, finding the right individual or institution to pair with can be difficult at that age. Who do they approach? How do students apply? What kind of experience is necessary? Where can they find openings?

 

Before applying

Consider whether your child has the time to allot to a new position. If it is during the school year, will the commitments (tryouts, practice, competitions) later in the school year or semester interfere with their ability to fulfill their commitment. Half-heartedly completing the job is not a positive experience for your student nor does it look good for them professionally. 

Be sure your student is aware of the commitment their making. This isn’t the same as trying out for the soccer team. They don’t want to burn out two weeks in or suffer a slip in grades because they’re overcommitted.

 

Know what to expect

Students should expect low-level and unpaid or minimally paid work. It will be more rigorous than their coursework, but it won't necessarily be glamorous. They should still take this work seriously and treat their position as a responsibility even if it’s just data entry. Some research positions may allow for high school workers to participate in experimentation or contribute in a more meaningful way, but not all of them do. 

Ask your child about the kinds of work they want to do. How hard do they want to work and what sacrifices are they willing to make? Be sure to inquire as to the nature of the work when researching where to apply. 

 

Researching existing programs

The highly competitive programs are often structured research positions that take place over the summer and have to be applied to in advance. This includes RSI at MIT and UCSC SIP. These programs skip the step of finding a mentor for students are often paired with an affiliated professor. This is a great way for high schoolers to have a top-tier, thorough experience and build a network of professors as well as peers.

Talk to other students that have participated in similar programs to get a better idea of what your child will experience. Include their teachers in this conversations. They may be able to provide insights in addition to just recommendation letters. 

 

Use your connections

Outside of these networks, students have to find a willing participant on their own. Often times networking is the best way to establish contact or get your foot in the door. It can help to see which organizations or institutions have worked with your child’s school before. Check if their school has a career office, an opportunities database, alumni database, or a record of where students have applied in the past.

Parents and other family members are also a good source of information. Sometimes it’s as simple as someone’s mother works as a researcher and is willing to mentor your child if not make the right introductions.

 

Think big, look local

If your student wants to pursue a position during the school year, they will obviously need to apply to the institutions nearby. This may restrict some students depending on their geographic area. Colleges and universities are good sources of opportunity for high schoolers. If you live near one, like Stanford, Princeton, or the University of Washington, with an established program, applying will be a little easier. However, not every researcher has a landing page advertising their availability. A good rule is to ask first, never assume.

See what else is headquartered near by. Research what laboratories, societies, foundations, organizations, or companies are near you and willing to hire high schoolers. Even national organizations, like the NIH, have opportunities for high schoolers. 

 

Draw up a list

Stemming from what’s in driving distance, identify a few researchers that your child would like to work with. Look specifically at what type of research or experiments they're doing and be sure that is what your child wants to engage with. 

Keep track of titles, recent accomplishments, publications, and other identifiers or news items. This information will make your student’s message more personal when it comes to contacting people on their list. 

 

Contact individuals, not departments

Email each researcher and inquire about a possible mentorship. A written message is better than a phone call for it gives the recipient an opportunity to answer in their own time. Speak formally and be specific. State what your student’s interests are, how those interests relate to the research being done, and what your child hopes to get out of the experience. 

Outline your availability, but remain flexible. It may be helpful for your child to provide an idea of structure or length for their position. It may help a researcher to know that your child is looking to commit to a 10 week window verses a 1 month one. Or that they hope to work part-time, after school, or during a long break.  

 

Introduce yourself

Be sure the recipient has a good idea of who your child is besides a potential hire. It’s important to be personable in addition to skilled. Have a resume prepared that outlines your any prior work experience, internships, or positions your child has held. Include their GPA and any school-related positions that speak to their ability as a research assistant. Repeat your contact information in your email as well as in your resume. 

A follow-up email is appropriate after an appropriate window, but it is possible that your child does not hear back. Finding the right mentor takes time and can be discouraging, but the process of contacting and applying is good practice.

 

Find the right fit

A willing superior or mentor is often the key to having a productive experience. Even if they don't let research assistants do the "fun stuff", the right person should be investing in teaching. They should encourage your child and create a positive learning environment for them. A renowned researcher that takes on a high schooler, but can’t be bothered to include them in their work isn’t a good fit even if it sounds prestigious. The wrong person or wrong program can also discourage your child from pursuing that field further. The right person may be helpful in finding your child’s next role or next mentor. Or they may offer your student the opportunity to continue working in the future. 

Talk to your student about what they envision themselves doing and what they want out of the experience. What will they need from a mentor in order to succeed in their position? Their answers and expectations should help shape your search. 

 

Whatever shape your child’s research position takes, ensure that they have a positive experience. Hours staring into a microscope or analyzing data may be the thing that makes or breaks their enthusiasm for a particular field. While bad experiences can be learned from, it’s equally important to make sure your student pursues opportunities that will not only look good, but also make them feel valued. 

 

If you are interested in speaking with one of our Advisors about finding a research position, you can schedule a free consultation here.

 

STEM Research Guide for High School Students

This is the Bible of STEM research for High School students. In one comprehensive document, we provide students with detailed guidance on why, when, and how to conduct research. Includes over 800 listings of Research, Internship, Pre-College, Summer, School Year, Enrichment, and Volunteer Programs. Designed for High School and Middle School students looking ahead, this guide includes top programs in every category including Biology & Health Science, Computer Science, Engineering & Robotics, Physics & Astronomy, Math and more.

 

Learn More and Purchase this Guide

 

 

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Meaningful summer activities that enhance college application

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Definitive Guide to Math Enrichment

 

 

 

 

Splash is back, and the number of participating Universities have increased to over 30 from 20 when we first introduced this phenomenal program to the Versed Community a year ago.  Splash, run by Learning Unlimited, is “a weekend extravaganza of classes at a local college or university, where pre-college students are invited to learn about everything and anything from passionate university students.” For a nominal fee of $0-50, middle and high school students can sign up for 1 or 2 full days of weekend classes on college campuses. Splash currently runs at MIT, Stanford University, University of Chicago, Duke University, Yale University, Boston College, and many more!

Register now as many of the top programs fill up quickly.

Read more about the Program here or check out Learning Unlimited’s website here.

 

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Enrichment courses are an excellent way to assure that your child has the math skills necessary to continue to succeed in school. However with a variety of tutorial programs and online classes available, it can be hard to choose the right option for your student. 

Before enrolling anywhere, it is important for you and your child to understand what their strengths and weaknesses are. This will give you a better idea of the type of enrichment they may benefit from. Keep in mind that not every student masters concepts at the same rate. If your child needs to refresh, review, or relearn a subject, they may benefit from remedial help, which is offered by most enrichment programs. 

Once you determine where your child needs assistance, the next step is to figure out which approach to math enrichment they would best respond to. Students can enroll in tutorial sessions at designated learning centers, attend online classes, or simply download an app. Here are some of the top ranked programs in each of those categories:

 

Learning Centers: The following are in-person services that give your child a formal setting in which to learn. They also provide access to dedicated instructors that work closely with each student to achieve their goals. These are ideal for students that respond well to a screen-free, classroom settings.

Kumon

The Kumon Math Program focuses on self-learning through a series of worksheets meant to be completed at the Kumon Center as well as at home. Each is designed to take only about 30 minutes, giving your child a small, but impactful daily goal. The Program starts as early as age 3 and continues through high school. 

Mathnasium

During meetings at local Learning Centers, Mathnasium tutors develop a customized learning plan for students grades 2–12. They use the Mathnasium Method™, a combination of assessments and custom learning plans, to structure lessons. Their Method also emphasises in-class learning, which means no homework!

C2 Education

An in-person tutorial service, C2 holds sessions in small groups with a 3:1 student to teacher ratio. Students in any grade level may enroll for help in Statistics, Calculus, Trigonometry, Geometry, and Algebra. Additionally, C2 also holds special summer boot camps for additional enrichment. 

The Russian School of Mathematics 

An after-school program for K-12 students, the Russian School is a good supplemental program for advanced students. Lessons focus on teaching students to think critically instead of simply memorizing concepts. The Russian School also has math competition prep and summer school for additional support. 

 

Online Programs: The following are websites designed to bring math to your child’s fingertips and allow them to learn anywhere there’s signal. These options are meant to go beyond programs like Khan Academy and IXL, which are popular teacher suggestions and often already implemented in schools. 

Multiplication

A precursor to IXL, Multiplication ensures your student has mastered the basics. With detailed reporting tools, this site allows students to track and understand their progress. It self-adjust lessons to fit each user's skill level, allowing for seamless learning. 

MangaHigh

This site is a strong supporter of "gamifying" education and using the power of narrative and visual storytelling to enrich the learning process. While it may look like your child is fending off space invaders or exploring lost ruins, they’re actually strengthening their understanding of core concepts. 

Thinkwell

This website produces high quality video seminars on a variety of topics, such as pre-algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. Although the prices are somewhat high, Thinkwell is a great alternative for students that don't respond as well to reading textbooks and need a more visual approach in order to master a new concept. 

Greg Tang Math

Tang's method utilizes graphics and vivid visuals to instill an understanding of mathematical concepts. His site offers a variety of free games, puzzle packs, board games, and other enrichment tools meant to find alternative methods to teaching traditional concepts. A beloved public figure, Tang also travels the country presenting to groups of parents and educators. As a result, his methods have been recognized and embraced by countless school districts.

Art of Problem Solving & Beast Academy

For more advanced students, AoPS and Beast Academy use a combination of online schooling, written resources, and motivated community members to both educate and motivate their students. These two programs were built for students that already have a passion for math and need an outlet for their talent. AoPS Online offers classes beginning at Prealgebra 1. Beast Academy was built for students in grades 2-5.

 

Apps: For a similarly gamified, but less formal form of math enrichment, download any of these apps and have math enrichment right in your child’s pocket. Games also give your child the opportunity to form a new relationship with math and may teach them to associate the subject with fun rather than frustration. 

Prodigy

Prodigy is a free fantasy roleplaying game. In it, students battle in-game characters by answering set questions. The app includes a reporting tool that allows parents/teachers to track a child's progress. Questions can also be customized for more targeted learning. Prodigy is designed for students ages 6-14/grades 1st-8th. 

CK12

Another free app, CK12 provides students with interactive activities meant to help sharpen their understanding of algebra, geometry, probability, and other subjects. With lessons for K-12 students, it is a comprehensive tool that includes a common core as well as content aligned to state standards. 

Brainscape

A series of digital flashcards, Brainscape uses confidence-based repetition to focus on problem areas. Decks are easily synced between devices or shared with friends for test prep or study groups. Students can also work collaboratively with their teachers/tutors to create flashcards focused on their particular learning needs. 

 

If you are interested in speaking with one of our Advisors about math enrichment programs, you can schedule a free consultation here.

 

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For additional information and insights, check out our blog: 

Guide to gifted and talented programs and are they worth it?

Khan Academy, Online Learning and How Everyone Can Become a Great STEM Student

Does My Child Need a Tutor? 6 Signs It May Be Time for Academic Help

 

 

 

By Zoe Marquedant

Gifted and Talented programs are opportunities for your child to explore their potential beyond the classroom. Participation may have been suggested by a perceptive teacher, a trusted academic advisor, or perhaps by yourself after careful research. 

What are gifted/talented programs and how can your child benefit from participating in one? 

These programs are often a mix of testing opportunities, online courses, weekend enrichment programs, academic-year programs, service-based trips, summer residential programs, and other events geared towards distinguishing and celebrating scholarly success. Enrollment in one may mean a three-week residential program at a top university or a civil education project meant to promote both academic and emotional growth. Your child’s particular involvement depends on which program they select and what their needs/goals are academically as well as personally. 

Some of the most prestigious and popular programs include:

• Center for Talented Youth (CTY) program at Johns Hopkins University
• Talent Identification Program (TIP) at Duke University
• Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University
• Programs for Talented Youth (PTY) at Vanderbilt University
• Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG)

Most universities have pre-college courses available to high school students, but these programs are specifically crafted to recognize and inspire younger students with proven talent. 

Who is eligible? 

Gifted and talented programs accept only top tier students, both domestic and abroad. Admittance is highly competitive. Most require above-grade-level test scores or other forms of proven academic excellence. Students from 2nd to 12th grade are able to apply. Up-to-date information on the individual requirements can be found on each program’s website. 

What are the benefits of such a program? 

A talented or gifted program is a unique investment in your child’s future that carries both seen and unseen benefits: 

1. Celebrate Achievements 

Admittance into a program like CTY or TIP is more than a top letter grade. Unlike a first place medal at field day or a smiley face on a test, it is an acknowledgement from a renowned academic establishment. An acceptance letter may be the self-esteem boost that your child needs to be able to really own their abilities. 

2. Exposure to New Fields 

Whether it’s game theory or advanced chemistry, talent programs include classes in fields that your child might not encounter until high school or college. Enrollment in these courses will help them discover and explore new academic strengths far beyond the standard trajectories of English, Biology, or History.

3. Introduction to Academic Risks 

Exposure to broader academia will encourage your child to take risks in the classroom. They will learn to push themselves and try new things. Hurdles like standardized tests, advanced placement classes, and other programs will not seem as daunting or challenging once your child is used to striving to be the best they can be. 

4. A New Social Experience 

These programs are an opportunity for your child to be enrolled with other intellectually curious youths, which may make them feel more included. Moreover, these are often more than just study buddies. They’re lifelong friends. Your child will also have the chance to study with professors and college students, which may motivate them further.

5. Resources 

In addition to exposure to a talented staff of teachers and advisors, participants in gifted programs are also given access to a plethora of opportunities, events, newsletters and publications, as well as networking opportunities that provide access to valuable information not only for your child, but for families as well. 

 

What are the other considerations? 

Before sending in a deposit, it is important to do throughout research to ensure that this is the right path for your child. Consider the following: 

1. Cost 

Programs carry an application fee as well as the cost of tuition. Once your child is admitted, there can also be additional fees for meal plans, shuttle services, certain courses, and other miscellaneous components. There is only some financial aid and scholarships available.

2. Time 

Depending on your child’s other time commitments (sports games, theatre rehearsal, orchestra practice), a month-long class may become taxing. Classes are rigorous, some are out-of-state, and participation could be an added stressor to an already packed schedule.

3. Ill-fit 

Though it is somewhat rare, it is possible that weekend courses or an academic retreat isn’t the right setting your child needs. There are other ways of gaining insight into your child’s development as a student that might be better suited to your child’s individual needs. 

4. No Guarantees

These programs do not guarantee acceptance to affiliated universities or others of their caliber down the road. While participation in one of these programs is impressive, they aren’t meant to pad resumes; they’re for celebrating your child’s achievement at that stage of development.

 

How do I decide? 

Now that you’re more aware of the potential benefits a gifted or talented program may have for your child, it’s time to decide if this is the right next step. If you or your child still has questions, it may be helpful to speak with our Advisors about your child’s experience.

 

You can also read more about summer programs and the high school experience on our blog:

Meaningful summer activities that enhance college application

Most Prestigious Summer Programs

Why work experience matters for high school students

The inside scoop on gap year: Stories from parents whose children took time off before college

 

Additionally, our Opportunity Guide is an excellent resource for parents and students looking for enrichment programs, summer courses, competitions, or other opportunities.

 

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