Poly Research Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why would I consider the Poly Research Initiative?

If you want to develop real-world skills to nurture your curiosity for biology and/or other disciplines and, find a   

context to apply them to the society that you are a part of, you should consider the Poly Research Initiative. 

 Specifically, students will:

• Develop research questions that are testable and connected to a national or global challenge

• Examine primary research literature to inform question and experimental design

• Generate reproducible data to test hypotheses, analyze and refine design

• Present their findings to and use feedback from researchers at academic institutions

• Submit their writing and/or data to an academic journal, national database and a university research review program.

2. Do I have to take a series of courses to engage with the Poly Research Initiative?

Students have four options to engage with the Poly Research Initiative:

• Through the year-long PolyEnriched Biological Research course in 11th grade

• Through a one-month Summer Research Intensive after their 11th grade

• Through the year-long Neuroscience & Humanities: Food course in their 11th or 12th grade

• Through the Research Elective during 12th grade.

Note, a student can engage with all four or fewer options progressively based on their interest.