Summer Programs in Biomedical Sciences
For High School Students
UIC Rockford High School Programs – STEM Camp & Summer Science Internship
Programs
Program Mission
The major mission of this one-week research camp is to expose current high school students to the various aspects of biomedical sciences and motivate them to consider careers in science. Understanding what is involved in medical research, how the research can make an impact in new discoveries that help cure diseases, or to understand the impact of bioengineering science where novel innovations and products are developed, can help the young mind to decide if this career is challenging enough for them to want to pursue it.
This all-day, week-long summer camp is offered through the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford and will consist of instruction, hands-on activities and demonstration of cutting-edge technologies used in medical research. Students should expect to be on campus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
This program will run only if minimum numbers are met.
Requirements
- Participants are not allowed to miss any of these days for vacation.
- Participants must be 16 years old by May 1, 2025 for 2025 season.
- A written response about why you are interested in this program.
- Resume including activities, memberships, honors/awards, work experience, and/or previous lab experience.
Online Application
Gather the following for your application:
- Written response
- Resume
Application closed for 2025 season. Check back in 2026 for new season.
Program Mission
The major mission of this program is to motivate area high school students to consider careers in science. Understanding what is involved in medical research, how the research can make an impact in new discoveries that help cure diseases, or to understand the impact of industrial science where novel innovations and products are developed can help the young mind to decide if this career is challenging enough for them and to want to pursue it.
The summer science research mentoring program offered through the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the College of Medicine Rockford is a long standing collaborative undertaking between the Thermo Fisher Scientific (Pierce Biotechnology of Rockford) and the College of Medicine to serve the students in the Rockford School District and nearby communities. The program has been going on for over 35 years and aims at imparting new laboratory skills to the selected students. Research laboratories at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford campus, conduct cutting-edge research to find a cure for cancer, develop vaccines, and design and develop new drugs.
Another major mission of this program is to provide invaluable experiences to the students by working side-by-side with leading scientists in the field at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford. One of the great experiences the students learn is to work as part of a research team. During this process, the students develop a mentor relationship that often goes well beyond the summer internship. Mentors guide them and write letters of reference from their college admissions to career interviews.
Each year the program receives approximately 45 applications from the area high school students for the five (5) internship positions available. The students receive various career building training such as preparation of resume, interviewing skills, oral and poster presentation skills, leadership skills and ability to work as a team all during the two months of internship training. Each student is paid a stipend sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Online Application
Gather the following for your application:
- Essay
- Resume
- Transcript
Three letters of reference to be sent separately. See Requirements below.
Requirements
- You must be 16 years old by May 1, 2025 for 2025 season.
- Double-spaced 500-word essay on what you hope to gain from this program and how it will influence your future.
- Resume including activities, memberships, honors/awards, work experience, and/or previous lab experience.
- High school transcripts. These do not need to be originals.
Three (3) signed letters of reference that include contact information for the references need to be submitted separately by the individual providing the reference. Individuals providing a student reference should each email the signed letter to biomed@uic.edu by Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Reference documents should be submitted as either a Word document (.doc or .docx) or PDF file. All emailed references need to include:
- “Reference submission for [ENTER STUDENT NAME HERE] 2025 Summer Science Internship Program for High School Students applicant” note in subject line of email
- Student’s full name
- School student attends
- Reference’s full name
- Reference’s contact information including a cell phone number and email address
Cost
There is NO cost for this program. You will be paid a stipend sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
- Student Information Night: TBD
This meeting is to learn about the program and the specific research projects offered. It may be held virtually, via Zoom or Webex. This information will come to you in a separate email with the link. - Summer Science Internship Orientation: Monday, June 9, 2025 (Tentative)
Selected students will begin their paid internship with orientation and training. Orientation begins at 9:00 a.m. - Program runs Monday, June 9-Friday, August 1, 2025 (Tentative)
- Summer Science Science Forum: Thursday, July 31, 2025 (Tentative)
Students will present their experience through oral presentations and scientific posters. More information will follow as the program progresses.
Application closed for 2025 season. Check back in 2026 for new season.
Eligible High Schools
Students from the following high schools are eligible for this program. If your school is not on this area list, please contact biomed@uic.edu. Chicago suburb schools are not eligible for these programs.
Column 1
- Auburn High School, Rockford
- Belvidere High School, Belvidere
- Belvidere High School North, Belvidere
- Boylan Catholic High School, Rockford
- Bryon High School, Byron
- Christian Life High School, Rockford
- Durand High School, Durand
- East High School, Rockford
- Emmaus Academy, Rockford
- Guilford High School, Rockford
- Harlem High School, Machesney Park
- Home-school, Winnebago County
- Hononegah Community High School, Rockton
Column 2
- Keith Country Day School, Rockford
- North Boone High School, Poplar Grove
- Pecatonica High School, Pecatonica
- Rockford Christian High School, Rockford
- Rockford Iqra School, Rockford
- Rockford Lutheran High School, Rockford
- Roosevelt Community Education Center, Rockford
- South Beloit High School, South Beloit
- Stillman Valley High School, Stillman Valley
- Thomas Jefferson High School, Rockford
- Williams Bay High School, Williams Bay
- Winnebago High School, Winnebago
For more information, contact:
Department of Biomedical Sciences
1601 Parkview Ave.,
Rockford,
Illinois
61107