Online Research Academy (High School)
High school students are invited to participate in a four-week virtual research program led by faculty from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Participants will learn and apply fundamental research methodologies while working on a dedicated research project.
The program includes regular online meetings with a faculty mentor twice a week. Upon completion, students will receive a graduation certificate and a performance evaluation letter from their professor, which can be included in their college applications.
Research Projects
Students can select the research topics that align most closely with their personal interests. The meeting times listed are U.S. Eastern Standard Time (or Eastern Daylight Time). The project syllabus can be downloaded by expanding the details of the listed project.
Drone Delivery For Retail: Assessing, Analyzing, & Predictive Modeling
- Meeting times: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8-9 p.m.
- For students interested in: Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics
- Deliverables: Research report, project proposal and presentation
- Download program syllabus
Digital Marketing Campaigns: AI & Communication Research
- Meeting times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8-9 p.m.
- For students interested in: Business, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism
- Deliverables: Final research paper; Comprehensive digital marketing plan
- Download program syllabus
Visualization In Engineering
- Meeting times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-6 p.m.
- For students interested in: Engineering and Physics
- Deliverable: 5-10 minute documentary video on science/engineering topic
- Download program syllabus
Financial Derivatives Pricing in the U.S.
- Meeting times: Mondays and Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m.
- For students interested in: Financial Math, Math and Finance
- Deliverable: An option pricing toolbox in Python
- Download program syllabus
Understanding the Sustainable Development Goals and Human Well-being
- Meeting times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7-8 p.m.
- For students interested in: Political Science, Public Administration, International Relations, Pre-Law
- Deliverable: Research poster
- Download program syllabus
AI for Loan Applications
- Meeting times: Thursdays and Fridays, 7-8 p.m.
- For students interested in: Computer Science, Finance, and AI
- Deliverables: Research report; Loan approval proposal and presentation
- Download program syllabus
Blockchain and Digital Currencies
- Meeting times: Mondays and Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m.
- For students interested in: Computer science, Cybersecurity, and Finance
- Deliverables: Research report; Capstone project and presentation
- Download program syllabus
From Fiber to Fabric
- Meeting times: Mondays and Friday, 8-9 p.m.
- For students interested in: Textile Science & Engineering
- Deliverable: Presentation to summarize the research project
- Download program syllabus
Wearable Robotics for Assistive Healthcare
- Meeting times: Mondays and Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m.
- For students interested in: Textile Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering
- Deliverables: Research report, presentation
- Download program syllabus
Making Aircrafts Lighter and Stronger through Structural and Materials Design
- Meeting times: Mondays and Friday, 8-9 p.m.
- For students interested in: Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, and other engineering majors
- Deliverables: Capstone project, presentation
- Download program syllabus
Fingerprinting Virtual Private Networks
- Meeting times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8-9 p.m.
- For students interested in: Computer Science, Computer Networks, Network Security
- Deliverables: Research report, presentation
- Download program syllabus
Congratulations to the Best Final Project Winners:
Drone Delivery For Retail: Assessing, Analyzing, & Predictive Modeling: Group B (Yuxuan C, Carson N, Roshan S, Haozhe Y, Delancy Z)
Digital Communication Strategies & Consumer Data Analysis: Group 1 (Dhruv A, Bagyaraj A, Hansika B, Jashan G, Isabella P)
Visualization In Engineering: James B
Financial Derivatives Pricing in the U.S.: Darsh G
Understanding the Sustainable Development Goals and Human Well-being: Aaliya M
Application Process
Students are expected to spend 5-10 hours a week on their research projects. You will receive an NC State University program certificate and an evaluation letter from the faculty upon the successful completion of the program.
Application Requirements
- Currently enrolled in high school (grade 10 or higher)
- English proficiency minimum score requirements for international students:
- TOEFL IBT 75
- IELTS 6.0
- Duolingo 95
Application Process and Timeline
Application Opens October 1 Application Review & Placement October 14, rolling admissions Early Bird Discount ($50 off) Application Deadline November 16 Applications Close January 4, 2026 Participant Selections Finalized October 14-January 6, 2026 Program Acceptance Deadline* 7 days after admission decision made Professor-Student Introductions Starting January 21 Program Orientation January 28 Program Start Week of February 2 Program Graduation Ceremony March 12