What is the Next Level
Young Scholars Lab?
A 10-week research program introducing high-school students to the fundamentals of academic research, critical analysis, and scientific writing. Students will work with a researcher from Harvard or Cornell University to learn how to formulate research questions, analyze academic literature, and present a professional literature review or research poster by the end of the course.
In terms of workload, the student needs to be prepared to commit about 4-6 hours per week to independent reading, writing, and research outside of our meetings and be available for 1 hour/week to meet with the researcher.
4 Key Takeaways
Published abstract authorship in an official program booklet
A completed 1,500–2,000 word Literature Review
A verified research experience for their Common App (citing mentorship under a researcher from Cornell or Harvard University)
Finalized “Cold Outreach” portfolio containing the actual email templates and strategy they need to contact university professors for future lab positions.
Goals & Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, students will:
Practice professional research writing, citation standards, and presentation skills used in college-level work.
Develop the ability to evaluate scholarly articles, synthesize findings, and build clear, evidence-based arguments.
Learn how to formulate strong research questions, identify credible sources, and structure an academic literature review.
Program Structure & Timeline
Duration: 10 Weeks
1-on-1: 1h per week
Independent Work: 4-6hr per week
| Week | Focus | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Literature Reviews | Understand the purpose of a literature review and learn how to narrow a broad interest into a focused research topic. | |
| Research & Academic Databases | Learn how to search academic databases, distinguish source types, and begin building a credible source library. | |
| Refining the Research Question | Develop a clear, focused research question by analyzing abstracts and defining a specific research angle. | |
| Deep Reading & Annotation | Learn how to read academic papers efficiently and summarize complex research without plagiarism. | |
| Synthesis & Outlining | Organize sources thematically and create a structured outline for the literature review. | |
| Critical Thinking & Research Gaps | Identify gaps or disagreements in the literature and develop a strong thesis statement. | |
| Academic Writing: Body Sections | Write polished body paragraphs using formal academic tone, citations, and synthesis. | |
| Introductions & Conclusions | Craft compelling introductions, conclusions, and properly formatted citations. | |
| Revision & Peer Review | Revise for clarity, structure, and accuracy to produce a polished final paper. | |
| Presentation & Next Steps | Learn professional research presentation skills and strategies for future lab or research outreach. |