STAR Lab is a collaborative mentoring program between SARSEF and The University of Arizona that supports high school students doing authentic research projects. Although housed in the Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, STAR Lab is open to students conducting research in all fields of science and engineering, and to students living anywhere in Arizona, which is made possible by offering both remote and in-person mentoring options.
As a member of STAR Lab, students are paired, individually or in small groups, with a research mentor in their field of interest. Mentors meet with their mentees weekly and help guide them through the development and execution of their research projects. STAR Lab students also meet weekly remotely with a group of their peers for a discussion-based class where they engage in activities related to enhancing both scientific-reasoning and communication skills. The program culminates in students presenting their research at a regional science/engineering fair (e.g., SARSEF Fair, Arizona Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, AzSEF).
The STAR Lab program runs annually from late September to early March, with student applications due at the beginning of September. As part of the program, students are registered for MCB 103B, which is a 3-credit course. Tuition is $176.50, but need-based scholarships are available through SARSEF.
Are you interested in high school outreach and sharing your research with the next generation of scientists/engineers? Are you a graduate student, postdoc, professor, or STEM professional? Consider becoming a STAR Lab Mentor!
STAR Lab Mentors work with students to decide on a feasible research question and guide them through completion of their research project, ensuring the scientific integrity of the project. Students can work on their projects in STAR Lab located in Biological Sciences West (equipment list available upon request), in the mentor’s lab space at UA, or remotely (e.g., on computational projects). Mentors are expected to meet with their students, either in person or remotely, for at least one hour a week to discuss project progress. Mentors are also expected to review drafts of major assignments (research proposal, research paper, and poster/slide deck presentation) to ensure that students are representing their projects accurately. Students receive additional assignment support from STAR Lab staff, including through weekly meetings with undergraduate facilitators. Graduate student coordinators are also available to assist mentors and students in the research process, including offering instructional support in statistics and coding.
To view past projects completed through STAR Lab, visit Arizona Virtual Science Fairs. Select one of the STAR Lab options from the dropdown menu for “school name” (e.g., STAR Lab (2022-2023)) and click “Virtual Exhibit Hall”. The password is STARLab.
Apply to become a STAR Lab Mentor here. Applications are due annually by late August. Questions? Please contact Dr. Daryn Stover, STAR Lab Director of Research, at dastover@arizona.edu or 520-626-4664.
Are you a UA junior or senior with previous research experience? Are you interested in outreach or teaching? Consider becoming a STAR Lab Facilitator and share your love of research with high school students!
STAR Lab students participate in weekly, one-hour remote class meetings. As a STAR Lab Facilitator, you will lead a cohort of 5-10 students in their weekly meetings, guiding and supporting them through the research process. This guidance includes helping students with science communication, from finding and understanding peer-reviewed articles, to writing and talking about their own research. Facilitators will need to be available at least one day a week between the hours of 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm to host a meeting. In addition to leading a weekly class meeting, facilitators will be required to meet weekly with STAR Lab Directors to learn and practice strategies for working with high school students. STAR Lab Facilitators are also expected to spend at least an additional hour preparing for, and reflecting on, each weekly class meeting. Facilitators can receive 2 units of Independent Study from their home department (3 hours/week per unit) for Fall semester and an additional 1 unit for Spring semester. Volunteers are also welcome.
Apply to become a STAR Lab Facilitator here. Applications are due annually by early August. Questions? Please contact Dr. Daryn Stover, STAR Lab Director of Research, at dastover@arizona.edu or 520-626-4664.
High school students interested in participating in STAR Lab must be at least 16 years old when the program starts in late September. Students should also have a genuine interest in science and in experiencing an authentic research project. Students from underrepresented communities in STEM and Title I schools are strongly encouraged to apply.
Additional details about the STAR Lab student experience and the application process are available from SARSEF here. Applications are due annually at the beginning of September. Questions? Please contact Cindy Bujanda, STAR Lab Director of Student Experiences, at cindy@sarsef.org.
Students (individually or in small teams) will be paired with research mentors. The research mentor will be responsible for ensuring the scientific integrity of the research. Once the projects are established and up and running, research mentors and mentees will meet a minimum of once a week for an hour to discuss and review progress.
STAR Lab projects will be available either in person*, at the University of Arizona, or remotely. In-person students will meet with their research mentors in the STAR Lab and will have access to materials and equipment for their projects. The STAR Lab space is equipped with molecular biology equipment for vertical and horizontal electrophoresis, gel imaging, PCR, centrifugation, spectrophotometry, and microscopy, as well as a biosafety cabinet. Students also have access to communal equipment in the building.
Remote students may work on projects that involve big data, bioinformatics, biomedical research data, climate, GPS/ArcView, virtual computing, programming, or other questions that can be completed virtually. Students may also choose to work with equipment in their classrooms and meet with their mentors virtually.
Additional support for the high school researchers will come from undergraduate STAR Lab Facilitators. STAR Lab Facilitators will coach a small cadre of high school researchers on science communication, both reading and writing about research. The STAR Lab Facilitators will help troubleshoot challenges and help maintain the community of science and learning. Both in-person and virtual students will meet once a week with their STAR Lab Facilitator group and will complete weekly assignments.