High School Research Programs
Providing students with a solid understanding of STEM’s role in addressing many of our most urgent challenges.
Become a Virtual Mentor for The Junior Academy
Guide a team of students as they collaborate to address real-world challenges.
Submit Your Research to Our Student Journal
Convergence features peer-reviewed academic work from pre-university students.
Apply for Young Membership
Students in our high school programs are entitled to a special membership.
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":35930,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/climatizing-infrastructure-green-retrofit\/","name":"climatizing-infrastructure-green-retrofit","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Climatizing-Infrastructure-1024x499.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Climatizing Infrastructure: Green Retrofit","author":{"name":"Kristin","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 21, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-21 13:10:54","modifiedDate":"2026-09-21 09:15:02","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-21 13:15:02","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-active-this-challenge-is-part-of-the-junior-academy\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Active. This challenge is part of the Junior Academy.<\/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":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":59},"status":"publish","excerpt":"A transition to clean and efficient energy use is essential for the successful progression of society in a world of increasing climate change effects and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. Retrofitting existing infrastructure provides the opportunity to make changes right away rather than waiting for new development."},{"id":35934,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/braintech\/","name":"braintech","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/BrainTech-1024x499.jpg","alt":""},"title":"BrainTech","author":{"name":"Kristin","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 21, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-21 13:05:00","modifiedDate":"2026-09-21 09:15:24","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-21 13:15:24","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-active-this-challenge-is-part-of-the-junior-academy\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Active. This challenge is part of the Junior Academy.<\/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":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":37},"status":"publish","excerpt":"The life-changing potential for BCIs and brain wearables is tremendous. BCIs could help people regain their ability to move or even communicate. Brain wearables could recognize and monitor disease and potentially increase the impact of medical intervention and lifestyle changes."},{"id":35938,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/misinformation-and-ai-in-public-health\/","name":"misinformation-and-ai-in-public-health","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Public-Health-Innovation-Challenge-1024x499.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Misinformation and AI in Public Health","author":{"name":"Kristin","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 21, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-09-21 13:00:00","modifiedDate":"2026-09-21 13:25:23","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-21 17:25:23","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"","space":""},"taxonomies":{"feature":"","ic-stage":"<a href='https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/ic-stage\/challenge-is-active-this-challenge-is-part-of-the-junior-academy\/' rel='ic-stage'>Challenge is Active. This challenge is part of the Junior Academy.<\/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":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":52},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Fact-checkers, media literacy educators, platform designers, and even AI developers are all racing to build better tools for flagging, slowing, and correcting false claims before they spread. But technology and policy alone won\u2019t solve this\u2014it will take people willing to think creatively about how misinformation spreads and how to interrupt it."},{"id":32374,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/mental-well-being\/","name":"mental-well-being","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Mental-Well-being-1024x540.jpg","alt":"A stock photo of three friends posing together while hiking and watching a sunset\/sunrise."},"title":"Mental Well-being","author":{"name":"Kristin","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Feb 11, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-12 01:30:00","modifiedDate":"2026-09-21 09:14:27","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-09-21 13:14:27","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\/learning\/' rel='program-category'>Learning<\/a>","scientific-theme":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":41},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Adolescence can be an exciting time of incredible growth and development. It can also bring extra responsibilities, added stresses, and complicated social situations that can be detrimental to mental well-being and put young people at risk for developing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety."},{"id":32412,"link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/learning\/high-school-research-programs\/innovation-challenge\/human-centered-ai\/","name":"human-centered-ai","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Human-Centered-AI-1024x573.jpg","alt":"A graphic with a woman's head overlayed by digital computer concepts."},"title":"Human Centered AI","author":{"name":"Kristin","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Feb 11, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-02-11 20:20:16","modifiedDate":"2026-07-29 16:31:25","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-07-29 20:31:25","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\/learning\/' rel='program-category'>Learning<\/a>","scientific-theme":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":6},"status":"publish","excerpt":"Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we live, learn, and connect with the world around us. From making everyday tasks safer and more efficient to unlocking new possibilities in education, healthcare, and the arts, AI holds enormous promise. Yet alongside this potential come real concerns\u2014bias, privacy, environmental impact, AI over-reliance, and more."},{"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":"Organic composting."},"title":"Food Waste","author":{"name":"Kristin","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 4, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-09-04 20:09:31","modifiedDate":"2026-05-08 17:44:56","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-05-08 17:44:56","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":9},"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":"An underwater shot."},"title":"Marine Biodiversity","author":{"name":"Kristin","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 4, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-09-04 18:53:45","modifiedDate":"2026-07-29 14:07:49","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-07-29 18:07:49","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":22},"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":"Solar panels."},"title":"Energy Infrastructure: Solar Power","author":{"name":"Kristin","link":"https:\/\/www.nyas.org\/author\/klam\/"},"date":"Sep 4, 2025","dateGMT":"2025-09-04 18:52:52","modifiedDate":"2026-05-08 17:44:12","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-05-08 17:44:12","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":47},"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":"A woman hiking, looking at a series of structures that appear to be from an old civilization."},"title":"Living in the Extremes","author":{"name":"Kristin","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."}]