Science Research Methods and Ethics

Science Research Methods and Ethics runs Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for two weeks.

Week 1 builds a shared foundation:

• Monday: Scientific research methods and different forms of research
• Tuesday: Research ethics and lab safety
• Wednesday: Methods and data collection
• Thursday: Analysis and visualizations
• Friday: Communicating your work

Week 2 is devoted to each student’s track project:

• Monday – Wednesday: Working on the track project under the supervision of a faculty mentor
• Thursday: Individual reflections and consultations with faculty, and preparing/practicing presentations with undergraduate teaching assistants
• Friday: Oral presentations of track projects, open to family, faculty, and staff

Over two weeks, students develop skills in:

• Scientific research methods and research design
• Research ethics and lab safety
• Research methods and data collection
• Data analysis and visualization
• Science communication
• Discipline-specific research skills within their chosen track

• Biological Sciences: This track will provide hands-on experimental laboratory skills necessary to conduct research in many areas of the natural sciences, under the mentorship of biology faculty with broad expertise ranging from genetics and molecular biology to microbiology and ecology. 

• Physical and Earth Sciences: This track will provide the technical and practical experimental skills necessary to conduct research in the physical sciences under the mentorship of physics or environmental science faculty. Physics faculty have expertise in quantum physics and its applications in chemistry, medicine, and quantum information science. The environmental science faculty member specializes in urban hydrology and studying climate change resilience in the NYC region. 

• Psychological Sciences: This track will focus on developing research protocols and conducting ethical research ​with human participants under the mentorship of psychology faculty with expertise in clinical, cognitive, community, cultural, developmental, educational, experimental, health, personality, and social psychology.

Yes. This is a rigorous, college-level science course. 

Base curriculum prerequisites (all tracks): Algebra I and a HS science course with lab 

Additional track-specific prerequisites:

• Biological sciences: (Required) HS Life Science: Biology (or equivalent)
• Physical and earth sciences: (Recommended, but not required) HS Chemistry
• Psychological sciences: No additional prerequisites

General coursework in the first week is led by ​Sarah Lawrence faculty coordinators. In the second week, students work with faculty mentors — a subset of Sarah Lawrence faculty active in the sciences, math, and psychology — and undergraduate student research mentors​​​ who are themselves active researchers.

Students will produce a completed research project in their chosen discipline, an individual development plan, and a final presentation of their project. Students may also choose to develop an optional poster to present at the Sarah Lawrence College Science Poster Symposium the following fall.

The program has a maximum of 45 students, organized into 3–6 disciplinary tracks of 5–10 students each, spanning the biological sciences, physical & earth sciences, and psychological sciences, depending on faculty mentor availability. Each track is supported by up to two undergraduate student research mentors.

Yes. On the final day, students give oral presentations of their track projects, open to family, faculty, and staff. Students may also choose to present a poster at the Sarah Lawrence College Science Poster Symposium the following fall.

By the end of the course, students will have:

• Crafted an individualized development plan
• Conducted and presented a project related to current research in a particular scientific discipline
• Built foundational skills in the scientific method, research ethics, methodology, data analysis, and communication
• Gained a genuine sense of what authentic scientific research involves
• The option to present a poster at the Sarah Lawrence Science Poster Symposium in the fall

Yes. Completion of this course, or a similar course, may serve as a prerequisite for pursuing science research with a faculty mentor at the college, during the academic year or summer.

Tuition is $4,100.00 for the two-week program. $500 is required upon acceptance into the program to hold your spot. The balance is payable by May 24, 2027.

Tuition includes:

• Seven hours per day of programming, Monday – Friday, with faculty and undergraduate ​​researchers
• Placement in a disciplinary track based on interest and prior coursework
• Individualized faculty mentorship and project guidance
• Use of the Science Center’s facilities
• Two college credits upon successful completion
• A faculty evaluation that can support a future letter of recommendation, upon request

Yes. Upon successful completion, students receive an official transcript with two college credits. These credits can be used at Sarah Lawrence College or transferred to most other colleges and universities, at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Rising high school sophomores and above, including students who will graduate high school in 2027, who are curious about scientific research and ready for an intensive, college-level experience. Some tracks may carry additional prerequisites set by the faculty mentor.

The program is tailored to the students in it. Knowing your interests and coursework helps faculty finalize disciplinary tracks and match students to the right mentor and project.

We seek curious, motivated students. Admission is also limited by class size (a maximum of 45 students across all tracks). We encourage any student interested in scientific research to apply, though prior coursework in a track’s subject area may be required by that track’s faculty mentor.

There are residential and commuter options available.

You can choose to commute to our campus daily or you can choose to stay on campus and truly experience what college life is like. Students who stay on campus must be 16 years of age at the start of the program. 

Learn more about residential options on our student life page. 

Yes, lunch is provided in the on-campus dining hall, with vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-friendly options available.