High School Students in the Laboratory

In support of Princeton University's education and research mission, the University has a limited number of opportunities for high school students to participate in supervised educational research experiences with Princeton faculty. This selective program is designed to offer students an opportunity to participate actively in state-of-the-art research projects, under the mentorship and supervision of a Princeton faculty member. Information on participating in this program is available through the website of office of the dean for research.

NJ State Law requires that all high school laboratory research experiences need to be clearly identified as educational programs, not work, and meet the New Jersey Department of Labor standards of an educational program in science.

An "educational program in science" is a program in which high school students may participate in science projects or activities in research facilities with the approval of the student's school and under the supervision of adult sponsors at the facilities. NJ State Law requires that an educational program in science include:

• supervision
• lab safety training
• parental consent
• high school approval for each participant

Princeton University does not permit minors under the age of 16 to participate in educational research experiences. High school students may not be hired to work in laboratories as employees.

1. Faculty Mentorship: The student must be sponsored by a member of the Princeton University faculty. The student and faculty sponsor are responsible for ensuring that the application and all necessary forms are completed and submitted in accordance with the new procedure outlined on the dean for research website. The student, parents, and faculty mentor must ensure that safety training is completed prior to the student beginning in the research laboratory and that all safety procedures are followed throughout the course of the research experience.
   
2. Parental Consent: The student's parent or guardian must complete the Parent Consent Statement and Insurance Documentation form and submit it to the Dean for Research.
3. High School Sponsorship: An official from the student's high school must sign a sponsorship form, assuring that the student is in good standing and should be able to participate in the Laboratory Learning Program.
4. Laboratory Safety Approval: The sponsoring faculty and student completes the High School Student Research Proposal form in a Laboratory/Department form. Once the Department Chair has signed the proposal, the sponsoring faculty sends the completed form to the Dean for Research.
5. Approval Process: The Dean for Research and EHS review and approve submissions. See the Laboratory Learning Program Information for Faculty and Department Managers for more information about this process.
6. Student may commence research only once all required trainings has been completed.
7. The Laboratory Safety Approval must be resubmitted if there are any substantial changes in the activities or scope of research.

Contact Jim Boehlert with any questions.