High School Research Programs
Providing students with a solid understanding of STEM’s role in addressing many of our most urgent challenges.
The Junior Academy
The Junior Academy is an international network of high school students united by their shared love for utilizing STEM to tackle real-world problems. Our flexible technology platform enables virtual collaboration so that teams of solvers can work together across geographies and time zones to share their ideas, fine-tune designs and put concepts to the test.
Innovation Challenges
High School students are invited to participate in 10-week Innovation Challenges where they form international teams and work with STEM experts who mentor them as they design solutions to real-world problems.
[{"id":29325,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/food-waste\/","name":"food-waste","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/food-waste-innovation-challenge-1024x684.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Food Waste","author":{"name":"The New York Academy of Sciences","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 4, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-09-04 20:09:31","modifiedDate":"2025-09-04 20:51:12","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-09-04 20:51:12","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-active-and-open-for-applications\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Active and Open for Applications<\/a>","program-category":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/innovation-challenge\/' rel='program-category'>Innovation Challenge<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/junior-academy\/' rel='program-category'>Junior Academy<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/learning\/' rel='program-category'>Learning<\/a>","scientific-theme":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/health-disease\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Health & Disease<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/sustainable-planet\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Sustainable Planet<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":30},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Preventing the billion metric tons of food wasted each year could reduce world hunger, minimize greenhouse gasses, and prevent habitat and biodiversity loss across the globe. In this challenge, you are asked to design solutions that reduce food waste with an eye towards promoting sustainability, equity, and responsible consumption."},{"id":29277,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/marine-biodiversity\/","name":"marine-biodiversity","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/marine-biodiversity-innovation-challenge-1024x682.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Marine Biodiversity","author":{"name":"The New York Academy of Sciences","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 4, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-09-04 18:53:45","modifiedDate":"2025-09-04 20:44:45","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-09-04 20:44:45","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-active-and-open-for-applications\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Active and Open for Applications<\/a>","program-category":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/innovation-challenge\/' rel='program-category'>Innovation Challenge<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/junior-academy\/' rel='program-category'>Junior Academy<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/learning\/' rel='program-category'>Learning<\/a>","scientific-theme":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/health-disease\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Health & Disease<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/sustainable-planet\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Sustainable Planet<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":54},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Offshore wind farms can offer a renewable energy source, but there are also some environmental drawbacks. The construction and presence of wind turbines can disrupt marine life behavior and more. Design and plan offshore wind farms with the least negative impact on marine life that support and even increase biodiversity."},{"id":29273,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/energy-infrastructure-solar-power\/","name":"energy-infrastructure-solar-power","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/energy-infrastructure-innovation-challenge-1024x673.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Energy Infrastructure: Solar Power","author":{"name":"The New York Academy of Sciences","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 4, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-09-04 18:52:52","modifiedDate":"2025-09-04 20:44:06","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-09-04 20:44:06","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-active-and-open-for-applications\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Active and Open for Applications<\/a>","program-category":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/innovation-challenge\/' rel='program-category'>Innovation Challenge<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/junior-academy\/' rel='program-category'>Junior Academy<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/learning\/' rel='program-category'>Learning<\/a>","scientific-theme":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/health-disease\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Health & Disease<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/sustainable-planet\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Sustainable Planet<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":23},"status":"publish","excerpt":"In an increasingly electrified world, shifting from fossil fuel dependence to renewable energy is necessary to sustainably meet the growing demand. Making this transition will require 2 areas of innovation. What innovative solution could you design to make the shift from traditional energy sources to renewable solar energy a reality?"},{"id":23526,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/living-in-the-extremes\/","name":"living-in-the-extremes","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ja-living-in-the-extremes-1024x683.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Living in the Extremes","author":{"name":"The New York Academy of Sciences","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Feb 13, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-02-13 18:40:09","modifiedDate":"2025-09-03 20:36:39","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-09-03 20:36:39","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-complete-resources-are-available\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Complete; Resources are Available<\/a>","program-category":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/innovation-challenge\/' rel='program-category'>Innovation Challenge<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/junior-academy\/' rel='program-category'>Junior Academy<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/learning\/' rel='program-category'>Learning<\/a>","scientific-theme":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/sustainable-planet\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Sustainable Planet<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":13},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Our world is constantly changing; with the rise of severe natural disasters mainly due to climate change and our growing world population, we must explore ways to live in more extreme environments. In this challenge, you will focus on one \u201cextreme environment\u201d and propose a comprehensive solution to sustain life there."},{"id":23521,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/air-quality-health\/","name":"air-quality-health","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ja-air-quality-health-1024x536.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Air Quality & Health","author":{"name":"The New York Academy of Sciences","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Feb 13, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-02-13 17:40:37","modifiedDate":"2025-09-04 16:19:59","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-09-04 16:19:59","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-complete-resources-are-available\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Complete; Resources are Available<\/a>","program-category":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/innovation-challenge\/' rel='program-category'>Innovation Challenge<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/junior-academy\/' rel='program-category'>Junior Academy<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/learning\/' rel='program-category'>Learning<\/a>","scientific-theme":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/health-disease\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Health & Disease<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/sustainable-planet\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Sustainable Planet<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":51},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Air quality has been a known health issue to people and cultures around the world for hundreds of years. Today air pollution is believed to account for 7 million deaths annually, most of which are the result of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Design a technical solution to address a key source of pollution."},{"id":18867,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/ethical-ai\/","name":"ethical-ai","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024-Fall-Innovation-Challenge-Ethical-AI-1024x683.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Ethical AI","author":{"name":"The New York Academy of Sciences","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 20, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-09-20 19:29:39","modifiedDate":"2025-09-03 20:43:18","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-09-03 20:43:18","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-complete-resources-are-available\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Complete; Resources are Available<\/a>","program-category":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/innovation-challenge\/' rel='program-category'>Innovation Challenge<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/junior-academy\/' rel='program-category'>Junior Academy<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/learning\/' rel='program-category'>Learning<\/a>","scientific-theme":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/science-in-society\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Science in Society<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":24},"status":"publish","excerpt":"AI is changing the landscape of the world as we know it. How can we maximize the benefits of AI while also implementing useful boundaries to minimize the disadvantages and dangers? In this challenge, you will develop a solution to address one specific issue that AI poses."},{"id":18873,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/upcycling-and-waste-management\/","name":"upcycling-and-waste-management","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024-Fall-Innovation-Challenge-Ethical-Upcycling-and-Waste-Management-1024x683.jpg","alt":"Sculpture made of glass bottles"},"title":"Upcycling and Waste Management","author":{"name":"The New York Academy of Sciences","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 20, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-09-20 19:28:40","modifiedDate":"2025-09-03 20:44:13","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-09-03 20:44:13","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-complete-resources-are-available\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Complete; Resources are Available<\/a>","program-category":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/innovation-challenge\/' rel='program-category'>Innovation Challenge<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/junior-academy\/' rel='program-category'>Junior Academy<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/learning\/' rel='program-category'>Learning<\/a>","scientific-theme":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/sustainable-planet\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Sustainable Planet<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":46},"status":"publish","excerpt":"In this challenge, you will be designing a comprehensive solution to waste management at a scale that makes a measurable impact. We will explore how we can make small and large changes that lead us all to a more mindful and resourceful future."},{"id":18875,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/remediation-in-south-brooklyn\/","name":"remediation-in-south-brooklyn","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/2024-Fall-Innovation-Challenge-Remediation-in-South-Brooklyn-1024x683.png","alt":""},"title":"Remediation in South Brooklyn","author":{"name":"The New York Academy of Sciences","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 20, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-09-20 19:26:31","modifiedDate":"2025-09-03 20:45:58","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-09-03 20:45:58","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-complete-resources-are-available\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Complete; Resources are Available<\/a>","program-category":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/innovation-challenge\/' rel='program-category'>Innovation Challenge<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/junior-academy\/' rel='program-category'>Junior Academy<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/learning\/' rel='program-category'>Learning<\/a>","scientific-theme":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/science-in-society\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Science in Society<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/sustainable-planet\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Sustainable Planet<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":5},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Offshore wind has the potential to reimagine the cityscape of New York City. In this challenge you will design solutions that remediate the building of offshore wind renewable energy infrastructure in New York City through the lens of STEM and the community, focusing on land and water preparation."},{"id":9777,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/combating-covid-19\/","name":"combating-covid-19","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/corona-virus-image-shutterstock_1621031059-1-1024x581.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Combating COVID-19","author":{"name":"The New York Academy of Sciences","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/nyas_dev_admin\/"},"date":"Feb 20, 2024","dateGMT":"2024-02-20 17:56:04","modifiedDate":"2025-05-29 20:40:24","modifiedDateGMT":"2025-05-29 20:40:24","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/feature\/n-a\/' rel='feature'>N\/A<\/a>","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-complete\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Complete<\/a>","program-category":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/innovation-challenge\/' rel='program-category'>Innovation Challenge<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/program-category\/learning\/' rel='program-category'>Learning<\/a>","scientific-theme":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/science-in-society\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Science in Society<\/a><a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/scientific-theme\/technology-innovation\/' rel='scientific-theme'>Technology & Innovation<\/a>"},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":38},"status":"publish","excerpt":"The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic in March 2020. In this challenge design technology-based solutions to slow the spread of COVID-19."}]