ABOUT SCIENCE RESEARCH
Science Research is a three year college course run through the University of Albany. Students in this course pursue their scientific interests through professional level research. This can be anything from studying psychology to carbon nanotubes. Students also find a well-established mentor in their field to guide them through the research they decide to pursue.
A student’s sophomore year typically consists of them finding their topic of research. Students read scholarly journal articles to narrow their topic into a testable idea, and then begin their research plan or search for a mentor who is an expert in the field that they have chosen.
Following the sophomore year, a student creates a research plan and subsequently conducts their experiment. The research is completed by the fall of the senior year, at which time, the student writes a detailed research paper, then the student submits to a variety of competitions, including the Intel Talent Search and the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. In addition, the student presents the research at a variety of venues and science fairs. At the end of the year, seniors are in charge of running the high school's annual science symposium.
Introductory information
Freshman interested in joining the Science Research Program complete an application. The application process generally begins in January and is completed by mid-February. Students are notified by the end of March. It is mandatory that students begin the program their sophomore year.
Below are the previous years' documents. These will be updated by mid-December of each year .
Science Research Syllabus 2016
RESOURCES-Online Periodicals; Websites; Search Engines
National Public Radio Science Friday
Science News (expanded version)- user name and password available through Science Research Google Classroom
Science Times from the New York Times
The Scientist-Register for a free on-line subscription.
RESOURCES-Library Databases
RCC Rockland Community College Library- See High School Librarian for user name and password. Includes Science Direct and ProQuest Central and many more.
Nyack Library- Requires Library card barcode from either Nyack or Valley Cottage Public library . See High School Librarian for high school library barcode. Includes among others, PubMed Central and Gale's Science in Context.
Nyack High School Library -Databases can be used within the building without passwords. See Science Research google classroom for remote access passwords to use from home or elsewhere.
RESOURCES-Citation and Bibliography Tools
Noodletools-You will need an individual User name and Password. If you do not have one, please see the High School Librarian.
RESOURCES-Astronomy
American Association of Variable Star Observers-A lot of basic astronomy information as well as research.
Astrometrica Asteroid Search Project-The Asteroid Search Campaign was from March 31 - May 5, 2016. For unlimited access to the astrometrica program: License: IASC Password: TLD-171. To access the image files, go to the astrometrica website. Select "Campaigns", and under Pan-STARRs select "School Folders". The User ID is iasc and the Password is iascsearch. Use only the manual search option.
Daily Astronomy News-Complex studies broken down into simpler descriptions.
Faulkes Telescope-The Faulkes Telescope is a 2-meter research telescope available for use by high school students across the world.
Highlights of Astronomy Research-Astronomy research in not-so-complicated terms.
LCOGT Spacebook-Information on general astronomy and telescopes. This is the place to start, if you're just beginning to explore astronomy.
RESOURCES-Statistics
Introduction to Statistics- Intro powerpoint on statistics
Basic Statistics Tutorial -Intro packet on statistics
SOFA Statistics - A free, user-friendly statistics program
Vassarstats - Website for statistical computations
Graphpad QuickCalcs - Online statistics
RESOURCES-Interships/Summer Programs
Mount Sinai Hospital - Application Deadline January 13
Basic science volunteers at The Mount Sinai Hospital assist laboratory staff with carrying out research techniques. Clinical research volunteers assist the research staff with a variety of tasks, including data entry and collection and compiling study documents. Both are exceptional year-round opportunities for students interested in a career in medicine.
For 30 years, Liberty Science Center’s Partners in Science program has provided an intensive, eight-week summer experience for high school juniors and seniors. The program pairs students with mentors in science, health and technical fields and challenges them to participate in ongoing research and independent projects. Partners in Science gives students the opportunity to investigate questions driving scientific discovery in professional laboratory settings. Additionally, they develop a network of advisers and lifelong connections that may help them identify and focus their career goals.
Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell – Application Deadline first Friday in February
Undergraduate and high school summer internships at BTI, Cornell University and the USDA provide an excellent opportunity to gain research experience and explore if a scientific career is right for you. Currently we offer positions to outstanding students interested in Plant Genome Research and Bioinformatics . Applications are accepted annually from November until the first Friday of February. Accepted students join an international community of scientists and students in the pursuit of scientific discovery, learn valuable research skills, and attend seminars and workshops to learn from leaders in these fields.
STIPEND NIH: Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research (SIP) - Application Deadline March 1st
Summer programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide an opportunity to spend a summer working at the NIH side-by-side with some of the leading scientists in the world, in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research. The NIH consists of the 240-bed Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center and more than 1200 laboratories/research projects located on the main campus in Bethesda, MD and the surrounding area as well
FREE Columbia University Science Honors Program – Application Deadline March 1st
The Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP) is a highly selective program for high school students who have a strong interest in the sciences and mathematics. The SHP holds classes at Columbia from 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. on Saturdays throughout the academic year. Courses are primarily in the physical, chemical, biological, behavioral, and computing sciences; and instructors are scientists and mathematicians who are actively engaged in research at the University. For more information, and to apply, please visit
FREE Memorial Sloan Kettering: Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program –Application Deadline March 2nd
The Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP) Summer Student Program is designed for high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in biomedical-related sciences. Each student works directly with a postdoc, graduate student, or research technician under the direction of a Principal Investigator (PI) to complete a research project. The hands-on experience in cutting-edge laboratories provides students with rich knowledge about translational research in oncology. During their eight weeks in the program, students will learn techniques for conducting research experiments and at the end of the summer prepare a poster to display his or her research project. For more information, and to apply, please visit
Cooper Union Summer Engineering Program – Application Deadline March 18th
The School of Engineering's Research Internship Program provides a great opportunity for high school students to tackle research problems in a college setting. Interns work in teams comprising of both high school sophomores and juniors on applied research projects under the constant guidance of Cooper Union undergraduate teaching assistants. Each project is supervised and mentored by Cooper Union faculty and covers fields such as civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical, biomedical and environmental engineering; mathematics, chemistry, and astronomy. Tuition assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information, and to apply, please visit
PAID Wave Hill: Forest Project Summer Collaborative – Application Deadline March 20th
The Forest Project enables high school students to earn money while working to restore Wave Hill’s natural woodlands. The Forest Project gives students an unparalleled opportunity to learn about ecology in an urban setting, gain hands-on field experience and enroll in a tuition-free, college-level course at Lehman College. Throughout the summer, guest speakers, field trips and special projects contribute to an immersive and profoundly rewarding experience. For more information, and to apply, please visit
FREE Engineering Program and RPI College – Application Deadline March 25th
The Rensselaer PREFACE Program is a two-week residential summer experience for talented high school sophomores and juniors, who will enter 11th or 12th grade in the fall of the coming year and who have expressed a strong, early interest in pursuing a career in the engineering and technological professions. It is for serious high school students from groups that have been historically and traditionally underrepresented or underserved in science, engineering, and technological fields. For more information, and to apply, please visit
Simons Summer Internship at SUNY Stony Brook (for current Juniors only)