ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Teen Research Internship Program (TRIP) at William Tennent High School offers high school students hands-on experiential learning in science and medicine. TRIP is designed for motivated students eager to explore these fields while developing resilience, communication, and critical thinking skills outside the traditional classroom

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

• Project Design: Students select their own experimental conditions to investigate how diet, inflammation, and environmental stress affect organismal health, development, and behavior. They also develop foundational lab and problem-solving skills.
• Experimentation: Students conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and learn to navigate challenges—building essential scientific reasoning skills.
• Communication: In the final phase, students present their findings through a recorded presentation and blog published on our website, connecting their research to real-world applications. 

​Beyond the Lab 

In addition to research, students benefit from: 

• One-on-one mentoring with Fox Chase faculty
• Team-building and leadership development
• Exposure to careers in science and medicine
• A supportive community of driven and curious peers

PROGRAM DETAILS:

TRIP runs for 11 consecutive Saturdays from January to March at William Tennent High School (333 Centennial Road, Warminster, PA 18974). We offer two sessions each day: 

• Session A: 8:30 AM-12:15 PM
• Session B: 1:15 PM-5:00 PM

​After completing the in-lab portion, students will present their research findings at a symposium. 

ELIGIBILITY & ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

Who Can Apply? 

• Philadelphia-area students who will be at least 14 years old by the start of the program
• Current 9th–12th graders
• Residents of New Jersey and Delaware are also eligible

Academic Background 
Completion of at least one high school Biology or Chemistry course is recommended but not required. 

​Attendance Policy 

• Students must attend all program days for either Session A or Session B.
• Unexcused absences (any absence not due to a documented illness or pre-approved circumstance) will result in dismissal from the program.
• A parent/guardian must review and agree to this attendance policy. 

APPLICATION REVIEW TIMELINE

Applications, transcripts, and letters of recommendation will be reviewed by a panel of program staff in October. Candidate interviews will be held in early December. Final decisions will be made by early to mid-December.
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Please direct all questions to Dr. Theresa Austria at [email protected]. Please use "TRIP@WTHS" in the subject line of all emails regarding the program.