About Midwood Science Research

The Midwood Science Research program prepares students to conduct college-level research across all scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, psychology, engineering, environmental science, and more. Students work alongside PhDs and MDs in university, hospital, government, and industrial labs across New York City and beyond.

Candidates are selected from the top 12% of the freshman class and take an enrichment course in sophomore year. They learn statistics, lab techniques, scientific reading and writing, and the scientific method. Each student designs and carries out an independent research project and presents their findings at the Midwood Science Fair, judged by older students, teachers, and alumni.

Students who continue in junior year seek unpaid internships at research labs citywide. They find placements independently and work alongside principal investigators, postdocs, and college students. Projects span 5 to 15 months, requiring hundreds of hours of lab work and data analysis.

In senior year, students write formal research papers and create posters and slide presentations. They compete in local and national science competitions such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search and the Terra NYC STEM Fair. Many present their work at professional conferences and some are listed as co-authors on published scientific papers.