STAR Lab
Students Taking Advantage of Research
STAR Lab is a collaboration between SARSEF and the University of Arizona Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology that provides mentorship, consultation, research supplies, and lab space for high school students to complete their own authentic research projects.
Are you committed to in-depth long-term research?
Do you have 5-10 hours a week to dedicate to a research investigation with a mentor?
Are you 16 years of age?
If you answered yes to all these questions, please consider applying to the STAR Lab Program!
For the 2022-2023 academic year, the STAR Lab Program will be available in-person and remotely. Accepted student researchers interested in participating in-person will work at the STAR Lab in Biosciences West on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson. Alternatively, accepted student researchers may participate in a remote STAR Lab mentorship via Zoom. This means you can live anywhere in the state of Arizona and participate in STAR Lab!
All STAR Lab student researchers, whether in-person or remote, will participate in a weekly online lab meeting.
Please email Margaret Wilch, Director of Research, at margaret@sarsef.org with any questions or mentorship opportunities.
2023-2024 STAR Lab
Applications for the 2023-24 STAR Lab is OPEN!
Important Dates
Important Dates
- September 4, 2023 – STAR Lab application closes
- September 19, 2023 – applicants will be notified of their status and accepted students will register for MCB103B at the University of Arizona
- September 25, 2023– early March, 2024 – STAR Lab Program runs
- February 2024 – March 2024 – All STAR Lab participants will enter their research in the SARSEF Science and Engineering Fair or local fair
Application Requirements
- A recommendation from a nominating teacher who will support your participation in STAR Lab
- A completed STAR Lab application
- A 300-word written response to one of the application prompts
- An Unofficial Transcript
Accepted STAR Lab research students will work with their assigned mentors for the duration of the program, meeting at least once a week to collaborate on the research process. This fabulous program will support you as you nourish and grow your inner scientist/engineer!
Mentorship
The 2023-2024 STAR Lab mentoring commitment will be from mid September 2023, to early March 2024. The STAR Lab Program offers two options for students and mentors:
1. In person mentoring in the STAR Lab (Biosciences West 145 & 149, University of Arizona) for students residing in Pima County.
2. Online, remote mentoring for students and mentors from across the state: students may conduct research at their school site or engage in bioinformatics, data science, data analysis, computational or computer science projects that do not require a lab bench.