Why Hosting a Research Symposium in High School Matters
A virtual symposium helps high school students by providing a professional yet accessible platform to present their academic work, especially for those involved in online studies or remote mentorships. It fosters public speaking skills, builds confidence, and encourages leadership through planning and hosting responsibilities. In contrast, a research showcase specifically highlights students’ original projects, allowing them to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, academic initiative, and subject mastery—qualities highly valued by college admissions. Together, these experiences support interdisciplinary learning, peer feedback, and deeper engagement with research, making them powerful additions to any student’s academic journey.
Planning Your Virtual High School Symposium: Step-by-Step Guide
Whether your research comes from a STEM program for high school students, a free psychology program for high schoolers, or an interdisciplinary research mentorship, the steps below will guide you through a professional and effective event.
1. Define the Purpose and Format
Start by clarifying your objective:
Will the event highlight research from a specific discipline (e.g., neuroscience, robotics, social sciences)?
Are you featuring individual presentations, poster sessions, or discussion panels
Will the event include judges, feedback, or audience voting?
Common virtual formats include:
Poster Presentations: Students present research using digital slides.
Panels: Thematic group sessions where students present sequentially.
Breakout Rooms: Interactive sessions where attendees visit different presenters.
Webinars: Formal presentations followed by Q&A sessions.
Clearly defining your format helps determine the platform, time slots, and schedule.
2. Select the Right Platform
The success of your event depends on choosing a platform that supports your format and audience size. Consider:
Zoom: Ideal for breakout rooms and formal sessions.
Google Meet: Great for school-affiliated events with smaller groups.
StreamYard, Hopin, or Airmeet: Advanced tools for large-scale showcases with parallel sessions.
Look for features like screen sharing, breakout rooms, and recording capabilities. Test the platform in advance to avoid technical issues.
3. Recruit Presenters and Collect Submissions
Invite students from your school, research programs, or online communities. These could include:
Summer research program participants
Psychology or STEM club members
Independent student researchers
Use a Google Form to collect:
Presenter name
Research title and abstract
Format preference (live/poster/video)
Grade level and discipline
Encourage students from all grade levels, especially those involved in STEM for high school students or free psychology programs to apply.
4. Create a Clear Schedule
Structure your event around:
Opening session with a welcome message
Parallel breakout sessions or presentation blocks
Time for Q&A or audience interaction
Closing remarks or optional awards
Group presentations thematically e.g., biology, psychology, machine learning to help attendees navigate the event. Allocate time buffers between sessions to avoid overlap or technical delays.
5. Promote the Event
Spread the word across:
School newsletters and student council announcements
Academic clubs and honor societies
Social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, Discord)
Online forums or research communities
When promoting, be specific:
“Join us for a national high school research showcase featuring STEM, psychology, and interdisciplinary projects from summer programs and independent studies.”
Include the date, platform, registration link, and a few sample topics to attract attendees.
6. Prepare Presenters
Not all high schoolers are familiar with academic presentations. Help them prepare by:
Hosting a rehearsal session
Sharing slide and poster templates
Offering feedback on pacing, clarity, and visual design
Teaching them how to handle audience questions
Encourage presenters to focus on:
Research questions and motivation
Methodology and tools used
Key results and interpretations
Relevance and next steps
This step is crucial to make the event informative and engaging.
7. Design Digital Materials
Make the event feel official and organized:
Create a digital program booklet using Canva or Google Docs
Include presenter bios, session timings, and project titles
Design event graphics for social media and school displays
Build a simple website or Google Site for centralized information
These resources help audience members navigate the symposium and give presenters something to showcase in portfolios or resumes.
8. Host the Event Professionally
On the day of the event:
Have a moderator open the session and guide transitions
Assign tech coordinators to manage breakout rooms and screen sharing
Record sessions (with consent) to archive or share later
Stick to the schedule, but be flexible for tech issues
Encourage interaction through polls, live chat, or designated Q&A sessions. This keeps the audience engaged and gives presenters valuable feedback.
9. Wrap Up with Reflection and Recognition
After the event:
Send thank-you emails to presenters, attendees, and volunteers
Share recordings or photo slideshows
Distribute digital participation certificates (optional)
Ask for feedback to improve future editions
You might even publish a summary blog or digital yearbook documenting the event, including key highlights, quotes, and screenshots.
10. Encourage Continued Engagement
A research showcase is more than a one-time event, it’s the beginning of a high schooler’s academic journey. Encourage participants to:
Submit their projects to youth research journals
Present again at local or national science fairs
Apply to summer research programs for teens
Join mentorships in their field of interest
The symposium can also inspire underclassmen to begin their own research journeys by seeing what older students have achieved.
If you are a high school student pushing yourself to stand out in college applications, RISE Research offers a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities around the world.
Through personalized guidance and independent research projects that can lead to prestigious publications, RISE helps you build a standout academic profile and develop skills that set you apart. With flexible program dates and global accessibility, ambitious students can apply year-round. To learn more about eligibility, costs, and how to get started, visit RISE Research’s official website and take your college preparation to the next level!
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