Partners in Science

Partners in Science is an intensive, eight-week summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors that pairs students with mentors in science, health, and technical fields. The program offers high school students who have exhibited outstanding abilities or unrealized potential in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields the opportunity to go beyond textbooks and school-based labs by immersing them in authentic scientific research. It exposes them to current questions driving scientific discovery. Those accepted into Partners in Science receive a stipend upon successful completion of the program.

Partners in Science has several goals:

  • Experience working in a college or university research facility.
  • Cultivate their competence in scientific inquiry and research.
  • Develop oral and written science communication skills.
  • Create a network of advisors and lifelong professional connections.
  • Foster positive self-esteem, social development, and academic progress.

    Application for Summer 2026 will open by mid-November, 2025

    Eligibility Requirements

    To be eligible for admission to the Partners in Science program, a student must:

    • Be a rising 11th or 12th by June 2026; AND
    • Be 16 years of age as of July 1, 2026; AND
    • Be fully available from June 30, 2026 - August 22, 2026;
    • Have a keen interest in science and technology;
    • Possess a maturity level appropriate for a professional lab environment.

    Pathways to Partners in Science

    INTRODUCING Liberty Science Center’s Pathways to Partners in Science (Pathways)!

    Pathways is a two-week summer experience for rising 10th-grade students. This immersive program offers hands-on workshops and guided mini-projects, providing a foundational introduction to scientific research. Pathways prepares students for success in the Partners in Science program and beyond by equipping them with essential skills. These include scientific inquiry, data collection and analysis, science writing and presentation, collaboration, communication, and STEM career exploration. We will be offering 2 cohorts, each 2 weeks long. The dates are Monday - Friday July 13 - 24 and Monday - Friday July 27 - August 6.

    Application for Summer 2026 will open in Mid-November.

    Eligibility Requirements

    To be eligible for admission to the Pathways program, a student must:

    • Be a rising 10th-grade student by June 2026; AND
    • Be fully available from July 13 - July 24, 2026 and/or July 27 - August 7, 2026; AND
    • Be able to attend the program at Liberty Science Center from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday;
    • Have a keen interest in science and technology;
    • Possess a maturity level appropriate for a professional lab environment;

    Sponsor a Student

    Partners in Science is generously supported by contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other institutions. Offer a direct hand to a talented young scientist by sponsoring one or more students. To support this program, please call 201.253.1327 or email individualgiving@lsc.org.

    Support provided by The Hearst Foundations, Union City Board of Education, Daiichi Sankyo, Marianne and Edward Colangelo Fund, and Anonymous.

    For general questions about the Partners in Science program, or questions about the application process, please email partnersinscience@lsc.org.