BioScholars Institute
BioScholars Institute is a 1-week, premier summer program for rising 10th-, 11th-, 12th-grade students and graduating seniors. Through hands-on experience in the realm of biotechnology, participants will deepen their skills while solving real-world health challenges. Join us for an unforgettable week of discovery, innovation, and career exploration!
Registration is now open! Click below to register.
About BioScholars Institute
BioScholars Institute is an exclusive, immersive summer program designed for rising 10th-grade students through graduating seniors who are eager to deepen their knowledge of biotechnology. This weeklong experience builds on foundational skills, introducing participants to advanced concepts and cutting-edge techniques at the intersection of epidemiology, vaccine development, and cancer research.
Throughout the week, students will engage in hands-on experiments that simulate real-world biotechnological challenges. They’ll tackle a simulated disease outbreak, calculate disease transmissibility and lethality, and explore the science behind vaccines, including precision pipetting and an interactive vaccine activity.
In the latter part of the program, participants will focus on cancer research. From analyzing genetic mutations to using laboratory techniques like gel electrophoresis and ELISA, students will conduct independent case studies to diagnose and recommend treatments for hypothetical cancer patients. They’ll also explore the differences between monogenic and polygenic factors in disease, calculate polygenic risk scores for breast cancer, and discuss how these insights are shaping personalized medicine.
More than just experiments, BioScholars Institute fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation. With mentoring opportunities and the chance to explore potential careers, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of biotechnology’s role in solving today’s most pressing health challenges.
Get ready for an extraordinary week of discovery, exploration, and innovation at BioScholars Institute—where tomorrow’s biotech leaders take their next steps.
Camp Dates
July 20-24
LOCATION
Southern Research STEM Outreach
2000 9th Ave S
Birmingham, AL 35205
ELIGIBILITY
Students must be rising 10th, 11th- or 12th-grade students, or graduating seniors.
REGISTRATION
Registration is now open.
COST
The registration fee for BioScholars Institute is $100. This helps cover the cost of activity materials & supplies, lunch, and camp swag.
DEADLINE
Registration closes on May 15, or until all spaces are filled. Secure your place today! A waitlist will be available once capacity is reached.
QUESTIONS
Please send questions to stem@southernresearch.org.
BioScholars Institute has a $100 registration fee per student. The fee includes all lab supplies, lunch, and camp swag.
Yes. If your student can no longer attend, full refunds are available for cancellations no less than two weeks before the registered week of BioScholars Institute. No refunds will be issued for no-shows or cancellations within 2 weeks of the date of the event.
Please note that Eventbrite service and processing fees are non-refundable and will not be reimbursed.
The active hours of the camp are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Students may be dropped off as early as 8:00 a.m. each day and must be picked up by 3:00 p.m.
Yes. We will provide lunch and each day of the camp.
BioScholars Institute will be held at Southern Research’s STEM Outreach Building, 2000 9th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205.
No, we do not provide transportation. We encourage you to carpool if you are able.
Yes. Each participating student must complete the Eventbrite registration to secure a spot in BioScholars Institute. Please be sure to register for the same week.
Yes. We are accepting current 9th-grade students who will be in 10th grade during the 2026-2027 school year.
Yes. We are accepting students who are graduating from high school in May 2026.
If filled out correctly, you should receive a copy of your registration via email. This email will contain your “ticket” to attend BioScholars Institute. If you did not receive a confirmation email or message, please Shon Essex at email dessex@southernresearch.org.
Yes, there are! Please contact Shon Essex at dessex@southernresearch.org, subject line: “BioScholars Institute Scholarship” for more information.
Scholarship requests must be submitted by April 17. Applicants will be notified of their award within one week of the deadline.