K-12 Programs

Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering program

The ASE Program provides a full-time summer internship experiences to 9-11th grade students beginning with free workshops on cover letter writing and interview skills training. Successful applicants are selected by ASE mentors and gain professional experience while working as interns with mentor professionals from industry, university, non-profit and government agencies. Applications due in March, see ASE Application Instructions for requirements and information on how to apply.

Brain Awareness activities

The brain controls everything we think, do, and feel. You are invited to come learn more about how it learns, remembers, sleeps and ponders the mysteries of the opposite sex. Each year, we offer lectures, a brain fair, and events for kids and in the classroom.

Ted R. Lilley Cancer CURE Program

The Ted R. Lilley Continuing Umbrella of Research Education (CURE) Intern Program is an 8 week summer research mentorship training program supported by the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and the OHSU Center for Diversity and Inclusion. It is designed to offer research experiences to Portland area high school students that excel academically and come from socially and economically disadvantaged background. The goals of this program are to give hands-on research experience, science exposure and to increase participation of underserved and minority students in biomedical research and other health-related fields. Learn more about the CURE Program.

Dangerous Decibels program

Dangerous Decibels is the award winning, evidence-based public health program designed to reduce the incidence and prevalence of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and tinnitus (ringing in the ears, which is an early indicator of hearing loss) by changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.  Initiated in 1999, Dangerous Decibels resources are now in use in over 40 countries and the educational program and materials have been translated from English into Portuguese (Brazilian), Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. 

Contact information and program details can be found at www.dangerousdecibels.org.

The three main educational messages communicated through all Dangerous Decibels activities are:

  • What are sources of dangerous sounds?
  • What are the consequences of being around dangerous sounds?
  • How can I protect myself from dangerous sounds?

The Dangerous Decibels activities include:

  • A highly interactive educational program demonstrated to be effective for improving knowledge, attitudes and intended behaviors regarding sound exposure and appropriate use of hearing protective strategies in children and adults.
  • Educator training workshops that train, equip and certify individuals from diverse backgrounds to be able to effectively deliver the Dangerous Decibels programs.  Workshops have been conducted in the Australia, Brazil, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Tonga and the US.
  • The Dangerous Decibels website www.dangerousdecibels.org including:
  • The Jolene Cookbook – a fully illustrated tutorial on how to build your own mannequin that can measure the sound levels produced by personal audio devices.
  • The Dangerous Decibels Virtual Exhibit – Eight web-based activities that will help users understand how the ear works, how it breaks and how to protect it from dangerous sounds.
  • Information about dangerous noise levels, hearing loss and hearing protection.
  • Free downloadable educational resources for families and teachers.
  • Research studies about noise exposures in children, community-based hearing loss prevention in American Indian populations, the effectiveness of the Dangerous Decibels intervention in Brazil, China, Malaysia, New Zealand and the US, application of health communication science to changing hearing health behaviors in children and adults.

The program continues as an international, good-faith partnership between experts in hearing science, public heath, noise, evaluation and education who are passionately dedicated to preventing noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus.

Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship Program

The Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship Program is a ten-week program hosted by the Gibbs Laboratory to provide hands-on science education to high school and college students interested in careers in scientific research. The first summer of participation is a voluntary learning experience in which the interns learn a variety of wet bench laboratory skills such as cell culture, spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, macroscopic fluorescence imaging, immunostaining, organic synthesis, small molecule purification as well as antibody conjugation and purification strategies. Additionally, interns learn about data analysis and processing and can learn about programming, especially in the area of image analysis. Interns who complete the ten-week program may be eligible to return the following year to participate in a paid internship program that would also provide additional experience. To apply, send a cover letter expressing your reason for interest in the program as well as your C.V. to Dr. Summer Gibbs. The deadline for applications is March 15th

HEART Internship

The HEART (High School Students Engaged in Applied Sciences, Research and Technology) internship program teaches engineering methods for studying heart development. It is a collaboration between Sandra Rugonyi's lab at Oregon Health & Science University and Arash Kheradvar's lab at the University of California, Irvine. The researchers’ goal is to better understand embryonic and fetal heart development, which could lead to improved fetal diagnosis of heart defects, strategies to prevent heart malformations, and treatments for babies and children with heart defects.

This 3-week summer program offers hands-on experience through immersion in the lab and formal training through lectures and discussion. Interns receive a stipend and are supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and OHSU’s Quantitative and Systems Biology program. Visit for application and contact information.

Knights Scholars Program

Explore a career in cancer research through a summer internship at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. The Knight Scholars Program gives high school students a chance to explore careers in cancer research, treatment and prevention. The program is part of a national effort to increase diversity in cancer professions. We’re looking for students from underrepresented communities, including students of diverse races and ethnicities and students from rural areas. Students are paid a stipend and housed in residence halls while at OHSU. We are hosting a week-long introduction cohort for the summer of 2024. Apply to join us July 28-Aug. 3, 2024.

Applications close Mar. 4, 2024.

Let's Get Healthy!

Education and research program from Oregon Health & Science University that travels around the state to help the public learn about their health.

Oregon AHEC Programs

Oregon AHEC is a partnership between OHSU and five regional centers. Please visit center websites for programs in your county.

Oregon National Primate Research Center

  • Tours
    • The ONPRC welcomes elementary and middle school students aged 10 and older; high school groups; students from colleges/universities; civic groups and other organizations; and members of the general public on tours that are designed for the special needs of each group in mind. Depending on group size and interest, tours may feature an interactive presentation about science methods, a presentation about current center research projects, a visit to the outdoor corrals to observe the Center's rhesus and Japanese macaque breeding colonies, a presentation by a Center scientist, and or/tours of selected labs (available for groups of 18 or fewer, ages 16 and older).
    • All tours are free of change, and provide an opportunity to learn more about the role of nonhuman primates in biomedical research and to observe nonhuman primate behavior. Minimum group size 10.
  • Science Ambassador Program (for high school students and 5th graders)
    • This program provides opportunities for high school students to learn about cutting-edge science while developing their leadership skills. High school students meet weekly throughout the school year. They learn about science from Primate Center researchers, and develop and implement hands-on activities relating to important science concepts to share with the 5th grader "mentees" who join the group twice a month.
    • Applications due in the fall of each year.
    • For more information about K-12 opportunities at Oregon National Primate Research Center,
    • contact Kayla McDaniel by phone 503-346-5055 or by email: mcdankay@ohsu.edu.

Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI) Program

We are entering the 24th year of the PSI Program virtually, which means we can accept student applications all across Oregon. Our program admits sophomore, junior, and senior high school students who are interested in exploring careers in medicine or biomedical research. We offer a 16-week didactic virtual course from February-May. Students are introduced to the foundations of the scientific process and gain access to research scientists from OHSU and other Portland research institutes. The semester long program concludes with an optional summer internship working alongside a research mentor, which requires students to be at least 16-years-old. Students will have an opportunity to share their research in a virtual poster symposium held at the end of the program. 

At no cost to students we invite high school Oregonians to apply, particularly those who continue to ask the question “why.” Applications and more information are available on our website. Click to apply. Deadline to submit an application and teacher recommendation is Jan. 7, 2024. 

Quantitative Biology / Biophysics Internship

The Quantitative Biology / Biophysics Internship in the Galbraith Lab within the Knight Cancer Institute and the BME Department creates opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to participate in quantitative biology and biophysics research. Interns participate in experiments and data analysis as part of an NSF grant to the lab. We anticipate applicants from a wide range of educational levels. Our primary goal is to offer them a cutting-edge research setting with correspondingly meaningful problems to give them the tools to become quantitative scientists. We structure each project to be appropriate for the student’s educational level, and interns are encouraged to take “scientific ownership” of their project.  At the end of the internship, students typically present their work at a local conference or are included as an author in a national abstract presentation.

Saturday Academy programs

Saturday Academy offers hands-on, in-depth classes and camps for student in grades 2-12. Classes are taught by community experts in science, technology, engineering, math and the arts. In addition, we offer internships to high school students in science and engineering through our Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering program; we bring SA classes to local schools through our Saturday Academy to You program; and we teach technology and programming to girls through our Girls Engage Technology program. Financial aid and tuition assistance are available. For more information or to register for classes, please visit Saturday Academy or call 503-200-5858.

ThinkFirst Oregon

Through innovative classroom presentations and course work, Think First's programs are designed to help young children and teens develop lifelong safety habits to minimize their risk of sustaining brain, spinal cord or other traumatic injuries. Most importantly, Think First teaches young people ways to avoid behaviors and situations that put them at risk. Our message is that you can enjoy a fun, exciting life and be safe if you "think first" and use your mind to protect your body.

UCEDD Summer Internship Program

The OHSU UCEDD 2023 Summer Internship Program (SIP) will be hybrid (some in-person and some virtual activities). SIP is an eight-week long summer internship that provides opportunities for high school or early college age students to gain experience in the disability field, develop transferable skills, and learn about various career paths in health care. Interns will participate 24 hours per week in group activities and on a project at one of the Institute on Development and Disability centers, gaining experience in research, education, training, and dissemination. This internship is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in health care, specifically with a focus on disability. Interns will receive a stipend. Applications are due Jan, 16, 2023. For more information, including a link to the application, please visit www.ohsu.edu/sip.