Credit:
Courtesy of Emily Smith
The American Chemical Society Project SEED program continues to demonstrate the power of research experiences to transform students’ understanding of science, higher education, and future career possibilities. Summer 2026 saw 440 high school students participate through Project SEED research internships at 49 different sites. Since its founding in 1968, Project SEED has provided hands-on research, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to more than 13,900 high school students, helping them envision themselves as future scientists and innovators.
By engaging participants in authentic research environments early in their academic journeys, Project SEED helps prepare students for the future while broadening participation in the chemical sciences. Through these experiences, participants learn not only scientific techniques but also curiosity, perseverance, collaboration, and integrity. Students overwhelmingly state that the program supports their pursuit of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and gives them “. . . the opportunity to experience what research is actually like in a professional environment.” One student says, “I really enjoyed being able to work with advanced equipment, learn techniques that I would not normally have access to in school, and contribute to research that has real-world applications.”
