Summer Research Program
The WISEST Summer Research Program (SRP) encourages participants to explore a future in science, engineering, and technology fields.
The goals of SRP are designed to provide students with the following opportunities:
- Broaden awareness about less traditional fields of study and diverse career options.
- Engage with other participants who share similar interests.
- Learn about the techniques and types of research conducted in different STEM fields.
- Connect with and learn from successful professionals in the STEM fields.
- Develop key professional skills.
- Contribute to trailblazing research (in the lab or in the field).
- Become familiar with academic and university life at the University of Alberta.
Student Information
The Summer Research Program (SRP) is unlike any other summer job that you could possibly imagine! For almost 43 years, SRP has been giving students the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in university, and in the science, engineering, and technology fields. We encourage grade 11, young women, gender-diverse, Indigenous, and racialized students to apply for one of 40 placements in STEM fields. As of 2022, WISEST will no longer be placing students in nursing and nutrition, we encourage young men to explore opportunities with programs such as High School Youth Researcher Summer (HYRS) Program.
2025 Summer Research Program Dates
The Summer Research Program runs from July 3 - August 14, 2025.
- Student Applications: March 3 - April 2, 2025
- Supervisor Proposals: March 3 - April 15, 2025
Application form will open March 3rd!
2025 Celebration of Research
Friends, family, researchers, and beyond are welcome to join us in celebrating the hard work the WISEST student researchers have done this summer.
Where: TELUS Building, University of Alberta
When: August 14th, 2025
Program Details
Research is interdisciplinary in nature. It can take place behind a research bench, in an office space, or in the field. Computer work can also play an integral role in trail-blazing research.
In this program, students get to work with top researchers and innovators and become a part of the research team within the lab. Most of the research opportunities available are in laboratories located at the U of A campus, but some involve fieldwork. Research projects change every year. Participants will learn of their placement once accepted to the program. Previous project descriptions can be viewed in the archive of the WISEST Journal of Student Research.
In 2017, WISEST piloted an industry placement with The City of Edmonton. Building these relationships with outside partners allows students the support and experience of working in the community. These placements are unique, and designed to allow students to fully participate in scheduled on-campus programming. Students are asked to indicate their preference for an industry placement during the application process.
Once accepted into the program, students are expected to meet the following criteria throughout their internship:
- Work a full work week for six weeks and earn an hourly wage.
- Learn through literature reviews, hands-on experimentation, and trial and error.
- Engage in research both independently and in a team.
- Contribute to trail-blazing research and a research project.
Each week, WISEST students meet to develop new skills and learn more about various science, engineering and technology career and/or education fields.
Previous professional development sessions have included: on-campus tours of various research facilities and labs; off-campus tours of diverse industries that employ science, engineering or technology professionals; networking opportunities with young women, gender-diverse people, Indigenous people, racialized people and strong allies who work in science, engineering, and technology fields to learn about different career options, educational and professional fields, and potential career successes and challenges; and training focused on developing and strengthening professionalism, communications skills, and delivering effective presentations.
In addition to professional development, students also participate in weekly Lunch n' Learns. These informal sessions are opportunities for students to meet with other WISEST students, and to prepare for other components of the program.
The following are examples of past Lunch n' Learns:
- U of A Question & Answer
- The Art of Networking
- Designing a Research Poster
Please note that the Summer Research Program will be hosted primarily at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, however, there may be some components of the program that will run virtually such as role model panels, meetings and some social events.
