Genspace's Biorocket Internship for High Schoolers
Hosted by Genspace, the Biorocket Research program supports New York City public high school students passionate about subjects related to biomedical science. It is a six-month intensive program in which a cohort of a dozen high school students participate in weekly in-person programs. They also complete and present a summer research project under the supervision of scientific mentors.
The program aims to offer opportunities and pathways for their students to learn science communication skills and how to work in the lab using biology and genetic engineering techniques. It also seeks to mold students into more effective leaders and solidify a foundation for future success in a myriad of ways. This program has a specific focus on students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences. After the program, students will be part of a city-wide network of other teen research internships.
Who is eligible to apply?
Students aged 16 and up from New York City public and charter high schools. There are no strict academic requirements that students are expected to meet in order to apply to the program. However, you must be able to commit to the program for the whole six month duration.
Furthermore, students who identify as historically excluded in the sciences are strongly encouraged to apply. This category includes, but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, gender, identity, sexual orientation, people with disabilities, first-generation college students, and people from low income families.
You should absolutely consider applying if you are eligible! The requirements are relatively flexible, as long as you are based near Genspace. In any case, make sure to read through the eligibility and application guidelines here!
Is the Biorocket internship prestigious?
Genspace is well-regarded in the NYC scientific community as a pioneer in biotechnology. While it is not a formal academic institution or company, the non-profit offers access to some of the best resources and mentorship in biological sciences.
The acceptance rate for the Biorocket internship is approximately 15-20%. Given that only one in approximately five students who apply gets accepted, we would say it is a fairly prestigious program that adds significant value to your college applications.
How can you apply for the Biorocket internship?
In order to apply for the internship research program, students must apply using an online form. Applicants submit academic information, including grade level and GPA (though there are no minimum GPA or transcript requirements). They also are asked to submit short essays or a video response to the following questions:
Tell us the top three things that you want us to know about you, and what you hope to gain by participating in this program.
Tell us about a scientific discovery you heard about recently that surprised you or sparked your curiosity. What was it? Why was it interesting to you? What does it make you wonder about?
Please describe a favorite science project you have done.
Lastly, applicants need to submit the contact information for one teacher or mentor reference. There is no recommendation letter requirement! It is just the submission of contact information. The application deadline is typically early January, with the exact date for the 2025 cohort to be announced.
Pros and Cons of the Biorocket Research Internship
Pros:
1. The program offers an opportunity to explore careers through field trips.
As part of the program, students get to participate in lab tours and field trips. During these experiences, participants can get to know real scientists and people working in science, technology, and design. You will also get career guidance and tour other research labs and biotech companies.
2. Participating students will complete and present a research project.
All participants will complete a summer project in an engineering research field based on their interests. Students will work alongside twelve other teens and scientist mentors on the project. It is a collaborative project, offering a great opportunity to work with (and learn from) fellow interns. This project is something that you could add to your college applications as well!
3. There is no cost to program participation.
Participation in the Biorocket internship is free!. In fact, students will earn a stipend of $2,000 over the course of the six-month program. This is to help compensate students for their time, as well as supplement any transportation they may need to utilize in order to attend sessions. This aspect of the program makes it more accessible for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds to participate.
Cons:
1. The program is long in duration and requires a significant time commitment.
While the intensive, biweekly structure may be appealing for students interested in a rigorous experience, the long duration of the program could also be considered a downside for some. The time commitment from February-May is 2 days/week after school and for seven weeks from July-August, the program is 20-25 hours/week. While definitely a meaningful experience, the time commitment would mean that students have less time to focus on other extracurricular activities or coursework.
Our Review:
In conclusion, if you are a student based in NYC and are interested in getting a thorough introduction in STEM-M fields, this internship program is a great one to consider. The Genspace Biorocket Internship is an opportunity to explore biomedical fields in an interactive environment, particularly for underrepresented students in science. You will have a unique opportunity to learn from faculty at a respected nonprofit, who will take part in mentoring and providing feedback on a research project.
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
Image Source - Genspace’s Biorocket Internship Logo