Program Specifics
- RISE is an online, non-credit-bearing research experience for students in grades 9-12, with successful students earning a certificate of completion. NOTE: Space is limited.
- Regular access to a computer with the internet is required and necessary.
- The program starts on August 21, 2023, and runs through early June.
- Successful students will be self-motivated and independent learners. The program is largely asynchronous but not self-paced (students must adhere to firm due dates).
- Students will be expected to secure a research mentor and a lab space (if needed) to conduct their research; they will be guided through these processes early in the program.
- Students who fail to meet three program assignment deadlines will be removed from the program without a refund. All research and writing must be completed on time to prepare for the spring symposia.
- The program includes a significant writing component with participation in various science symposia in the 2nd semester.
- Tuition: $1280; some financial/need-based scholarships are available (see below)
Program Expectations and Additional Information
This program should be approached similarly to any other rigorous, advanced high school/college-level academic course with daily time spent working towards project goals.
Students will conduct their research experiments at home, school, a local lab, or another industry place. RISE is completely online, with the majority of work asynchronously, and is hosted on IMSA’s Learning Management System, Canvas. It is important to note that this program is not self-paced. Participants must adhere to firm due dates for all work, and after three missed due dates, students will be removed from the program without a refund. Students are expected to attend one of the weekly office hours times synchronously & in small groups (via Zoom) unless the instructor excuses the student in advance. Weekly office hours are provided at several different times to accommodate various schedules.
Throughout the program, students will write a formal research paper, create a research poster, and prepare an oral presentation, which will be entered into the various science symposia in the spring semester. Due to the advanced nature of writing and research skills developed during this program, there will be extensive feedback from the instructor, librarian, and professional mentors with opportunities for revisions. If revisions are needed on student work, it is expected that students submit their revisions within 48 hours of being returned by the instructor, the student’s mentor, or other program staff. Participants must meet the expectations on all work and adhere to firm due dates and a 48-hour revision schedule to remain in the program.
All experiments must follow the IJAS guidelines. Upon completing this program, eligible participants will receive a certificate of completion from IMSA. The general timeline for the program includes beginning on August 21, with all experiments completed by December. Students must complete an asynchronous intersession assignment over the winter holidays, and the research paper must be finished by January in preparation for the spring symposia. January and February are spent preparing for science competitions.
Scholarship Availability
Scholarships* for the RISE program were made available thanks to the generous support of the IMSA Fund for Advancement of Education. Scholarships are based on financial need and not academic performance. Eligibility is based on the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program guidelines. A school administrator verification or other governmental documentation must be considered for a scholarship.
Scholarship awardees will be responsible for a $150 scholarship administrative fee. Those who complete the RISE course will receive a refund of $100 of that fee. They must also provide IMSA with a W-9 form.
Refund Policy
Requests for refunds (less a $100 administrative fee) will be honored through August 1, 2023. Requests for refunds between August 2 and 14, 2023, may receive a 50% refund (less the $100 administrative fee) and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. After August 14th, no requests for cancellations/ refunds will be accommodated to ensure all participants have enough lead time to successfully begin the program on August 21. Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing via email to studentenrichment@imsa.edu. Please include the program name and your student’s full name in any refund request.
Registration Link
Please read the above information carefully and discuss all program expectations with your student before registering. Registration closes on August 17, 2023, and the Scholarship Application closes on August 13, 2023.
| School Year 2023-2024 | Session | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Grades 9-12 | RISE: Research, Inquiry Skills & Experimentation | 8/21/23 - 6/7/24 |
From a previous RISE student:
“Particularly in the past few years, I have nurtured a growing love for science and technology. As a result, I was extremely interested in the RISE program hosted by one of Illinois’ top high schools, the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA). As I went through this program, I learned more about the scientific approaches to a design or experiment, and I learned to conduct my research independently and efficiently. I had encouraging and hard-working classmates and a very experienced instructor who was approachable and helpful. I learned more about my topic and had the opportunity to pursue advanced topics I am interested in that are normally not offered at a high school level.
*Applying and qualifying for a scholarship does not guarantee an award or registration into the program. To qualify for a scholarship, the student’s family must submit proof of financial eligibility. You qualify if you are eligible for SNAP or Free/Reduced Lunch, but we need you to submit proof of eligibility. If you do not have a form or have difficulty getting it from your school or IDHS, you may submit a screenshot showing eligibility. Please contact us at studentenrichment@imsa.edu if you have difficulty meeting this requirement. Alternatively, a 2021 or 2022 federal tax return showing proof of family income may be submitted.
WATCH YOUR EMAIL and CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER! Award recipients will be notified via email and must reply to the scholarship offer within the time period indicated in the email. NOTE: You may either pay for program registration OR apply for a scholarship and await award notification. Your scholarship application will not be considered if you complete a paid registration. Scholarship awardees for this program will be responsible for a scholarship fee.
