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Science Internship Program (SIP)

Science
Engineering
Humanities

University of California, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA8 weeks

The Science Internship Program (SIP) is an eight-week summer research experience hosted by the University of California, Santa Cruz, where high school students conduct authentic, open-ended research alongside UCSC faculty and researchers. The program spans disciplines including science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and art, beginning with one week of online preparation before transitioning to seven weeks of in-person work on the UCSC campus. Students work directly with mentors on real research projects, gaining hands-on experience that goes far beyond what a typical classroom can offer. The program culminates in a presentation day where interns share their findings, giving participants a genuine taste of what it means to be a working researcher.

Visit sip.ucsc.edu

Skills You'll Build

Scientific Research

Designing studies, testing hypotheses, and drawing evidence-based conclusions.

Research Methods

Gathering and evaluating information systematically to answer a question.

Critical Thinking

Evaluating information carefully before drawing a conclusion or making a decision.

Problem Solving

Breaking down a challenge and working through it methodically to a solution.

Lab Techniques

Running experiments safely and accurately using real scientific equipment and procedures.

Data Analysis

Making sense of numbers and datasets to find patterns, test ideas, and support decisions.

Related Careers

Medical Researcher

Students conduct authentic, open-ended research projects under mentorship, building foundational skills for medical research careers.

Physicist

Program offers summer research across science and engineering disciplines with UCSC researchers, including physics-focused projects.

Chemist

Eight-week intensive research internship provides hands-on lab experience and mentorship in chemistry research methods.

Environmental Scientist

Program encompasses science, engineering, and social sciences research that directly prepares students for environmental science careers.

Biologist

Students engage in authentic research projects under faculty mentorship, developing core skills in biological research.

Quick Facts

Format
Hybrid
Time Commitment
Full-time, 8 weeks
Best For
Science-minded aspiring researchers

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