Research, Inquiry Skills & Experimentation (RISE)
Pursue a higher-level, year-long, in-depth study of a science topic of your choice. Learn the skills necessary to conduct independent research and report your findings. You will choose a topic of your own interest and collaborate with other high school students involved in independent research. Find out how to conduct authentic research and get the opportunity to connect with an expert in your chosen research area.
This course will give you the opportunity to participate in the community of scientific research and scholarship. You will have the opportunity to present your research findings at various regional, state, and national venues. The unique methods and personalized instruction RISE offers have guided 31 students to win state and national awards in the program’s first two years.
The outcomes of this program are linked to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), College Readiness Standards, and Common Core State Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects.
Course Specifics
- RISE is an online, non-credit-bearing course for grades 9-12.
- Access to a computer with the internet is necessary.
- Duration: Two semesters, Class starts in late August and runs through early June.
- Successful students will be self-motivated and independent learners. The course is largely asynchronous.
- The course includes a significant writing component.
- Tuition: $940
Scholarship Availability
Scholarships for the RISE program were made available thanks to the generous support of the IMSA Fund for Advancement of Education. Scholarships are based on financial need and not academic performance. Eligibility is based on the Federal guidelines for the Free or Reduced Lunch Program. A school administrator verification or other governmental documentation is required to be considered for a scholarship.
No requests for a registration cancellation/refund for RISE will be accommodated after August 1. Requests must be made in writing via an email to: studentenrichment@imsa.edu. Please include the program name and your student’s full name.
| School Year: 2022-2023 | Session | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Grades 9-12 | Research, Inquiry Skills & Experimentation | 8/29/22 - 6/9/23 |
From a previous RISE student:
“Particularly in the past few years, I have nurtured a growing love for science and technology. As a result, I was extremely interested in the RISE program hosted by one of Illinois’ top high schools, the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA). As I went through this program, I learned more about the scientific approaches to a design or experiment, and I learned to conduct my research independently and efficiently. I had encouraging and hard-working classmates, along with a very experienced instructor who was both approachable and helpful. I learned more about my topic, and I had the opportunity to pursue advanced topics that I am interested in that are normally not offered at a high school level.
*Applying and qualifying for a scholarship does not guarantee an award or registration into the program. To qualify for a scholarship, the student’s family is required to submit proof of financial eligibility: if you qualify for SNAP or Free/Reduced Lunch, you qualify, but we need you to submit proof of eligibility. If you do not have a form in your possession or have difficulty getting it from your school or IDHS, you may submit a screenshot showing eligibility. Please contact us at studentenrichment@imsa.edu if you have difficulty with this requirement. Alternatively, a 2019 or 2020 federal tax return showing proof of family income may be submitted.
WATCH YOUR EMAIL and CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER! Award recipients will be notified via email and must reply to the scholarship offer within the time period indicated in the email. NOTE: You may choose to either pay for program registration OR apply for a scholarship and await award notification. Your scholarship application will not be considered if you also complete a paid registration. Scholarship awardees for this program will be responsible for a $30 scholarship fee.
