NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL STEP-UP
SUMMER RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
The National High School STEP-UP Summer Research Symposium is held every August at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. STEP-UP interns from across the Pacific as well as the U.S. mainland are given the opportunity to meet one another and share their summer research experiences. The program covers the costs of travel (airfare), lodging, transportation and meals during the STEP-UP Symposium. The Symposium usually spans a 4-day period (not including travel time to and from Washington, DC). You can find a general schedule for the Symposium below. Interns present their summer research projects in both oral and poster format, attend various seminars and career development workshops as well as visit the famous national monuments and museums. It is an excellent opportunity to meet peers that have similar career interests as well as network with like-minded individuals and industry professionals.
GENERAL SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE
Day 1. Arrival in Washington, DC, settle into hotel, Welcome Dinner
Day 2. Student presentations, career development workshops, evening activity
Day 3. Poster session, workshops/seminars, evening activity
Day 4. Tour of Washington, DC, Banquet and Dance
Day 5. Travel Home
2025 Symposium
The 2025 High School Summer Research Symposium will be held from August 3rd through August 7th.
SYMPOSIUM EVENTS
Oral Presentations
On the first two days, students take turns presenting their summer research project findings to their fellow STEP-UP peers as well as to a research professionals. The audience then has the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the research.
Pennely Lakjohn (RMI) oral presentation at the 2017 National Symposium.
Yvonne Johnny (FSM) oral presentation at the 2013 National Symposium.
Poster Presentations
All senior high-school STEP-UP interns create posters that outline their summer research project and share it with STEP-UP peers and research professionals. This more intimate setting allows for more in-depth discussions and Q&A time that may not be possible during the oral presentations.
Kadee-Kalia Tamashiro (Hawaii) poster presentation at the 2013 National Symposium.
Teresa Santos (Guam) with her poster at the 2013 National Symposium.
Workshops
A variety of workshops and seminars are offered which cover topics student success for both high school and college, as well as career development.
Tour of DC & Banquet Dinner
STEP-UP interns get the chance to sightsee the museums, galleries, and monuments of the Smithsonian Institution on the final day of the symposium. That evening, the research symposium culminates into a final celebration highlighting the accomplishments of each STEP-UP intern and their participation in the program.
