Blog

Hello, this is GIRE.

Today, we would like to share helpful information with students or parents who wish to apply to America's top-tier Summer Research Program.

Many students and parents are often interested in and preparing for Summer Camp to have a more meaningful summer vacation. In the case of Top-tier Summer Camp, it is essential to prepare in advance because it is a competitive summer camp supported all over the world.

Today, we will introduce in detail the Spark Summer Research Program summer camp, one of the top-tier summer camps.

The Spark Summer Internship Program aims to provide practical, in-depth learning opportunities for high school students in the Greater Seattle area by motivating them and connecting them with industry experts, educators, and mentors from a variety of organizations. The program specifically provides relevant opportunities for high school students who are interested in the Greater Seattle area to connect and interact with industry experts, professors from prestigious institutions, and community leaders to gain experience working in a professional environment and to educate students intellectually and professionally.

[2024 Timeline]

Spark SIP is a program for students interested in computer science and related fields that allows them to conduct research during the summer while providing an opportunity to learn from and connect with experts through a program of classes. To participate in this program, students must be able to perform full-time work equivalent to 30-40 hours per week for 8-12 weeks during the summer. 

[2023 Internship Example]

The next examples we will introduce are internship topics for 2023.

The first is the Detection Tool for Tick-Borne Infections or Breast Cancer.
To improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, the genetic characteristics of cells under disease conditions must be measured and quantified by distinguishing them from normal cells. Red drift (Dep) has the potential to detect changes in cells due to disease or infection. Therefore, we studied cell culture for measuring and experimenting with the electrical profile of cells. Must be able to operate computers and research equipment, possess excellent communication skills, be punctual, ethical, focused on work, and able to follow BSL-2 guidelines. You must also be available in person at Morgantown, West Virginia, where the internship will be held.

▶Working hours per week: 25 hours

▶Internship period: 6 weeks

▶Location: Morgantown, West Virginia

▶Only high school students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in the United States can apply.

(International students cannot apply, only permanent residents or citizens)

​
The second topic is DNA Sequence Classification based on Electrical Signatures.
This project will apply machine learning and statistical learning methods to classify conduction data and predict the conduction of designer DNA stems. How conduction patterns change when several short stems are placed together in a DNA soup and the ability to design sequences with a certain degree of specificity and how certain conduction patterns change are within the scope of this project. Students must be familiar with Python and have access to a good computer to develop and run Python code. This project involves extensive reading, calculations, and weekly presentations. This project is suitable for students interested in scientific computing and machine learning, with preference given to students with exposure to statistics/machine learning, and who must be able to attend weekly in-person meetings at UW-Seattle.

▶Working hours per week: 30 hours +

▶Internship period: 8 to 10 weeks

▶Location: Seattle, WA + remote

▶Only high school students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in the United States can apply.

(International students cannot apply, only permanent residents or citizens)

​
The third topic is 2D Materials - A new class of conductors and semiconductors for future computing and sensing.
In this project, students will learn about 2D materials and gain an understanding of the fundamental materials science that determines their electronic and mechanical properties. You must produce a professional PPT and submit written summaries every week. Students will also learn how to conduct literature searches and basic chemistry, physics, and engineering principles. This opportunity is suitable for students with a strong background in physics and chemistry or with an interest in engineering.

▶Working hours per week: 30 hours + Internship period: 8 to 10 weeks

▶Location: Seattle, WA + remote

▶Only high school students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in the United States can apply.

(International students cannot apply, only permanent residents or citizens)

In addition to this, there are about 10 different types of projects. As the project topic changes every year, it is important to find and apply for a project topic in a field that you are interested in or good at.