HighRise

Materials Laboratory Experiences for High Schoolers

At the University of Delaware, CHARM’s HighRise program partners with local high schools to provide immersive materials science laboratory experiences for students interested in pursuing STEM careers. During this two-week summer program, participants rotate through CHARM’s soft materials and hard materials labs, where they explore key concepts such as polymers, semiconductors, nanomaterials, and other advanced materials topics.

Why join HighRise?

Participants can expect to:

  • Earn a stipend

  • Explore materials science and engineering—an area often not covered in standard high school STEM curricula

  • Gain hands-on experience in a university-level laboratory before starting college

  • Work closely with UD faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates who can offer guidance on college and career pathways

  • Build professional connections that strengthen your résumé and support future career goals

*Quotes below taken from post-program assessments.

“All the mentors, they’ve been super kind and super helpful, really guiding us through all the labs and what we’re going to do that day. All the labs were really fun to do.”

“…I expected it to be really scary. I thought they wanted us to already know everything, so I was pleasantly surprised when we got lectures every day that went in-depth and explained stuff first.”

“…actually being able to see [science] applied in a lab environment and doing hands on research I think is more interesting. So, it gives me…a picture of what I may be doing in the future, and it makes me more interested in STEM in school now because I know what the end goal is.”

Upcoming HighRise Summer 2026 Program: July 6 – 17

Eligibility

Ideal applicants should:

    • Be a current sophomore or junior in high school 
    • Be a US citizen, US national, or permanent resident of the US

Previous HighRise Cohorts

2025 Student Cohort

Hernandez, Karla, Sussex Academy ’26
Kim, Dabin, Charter School of Wilmington ’26
Llerena, Valeria, MOT Charter High School ’27
Mukabi, Ethan, MOT Charter High School ’27
Ndirangu, Edric, Charter School of Wilmington ’26
Rodriguez, Roberto, Aspira Charter School ’26

2024 Student Cohort

Aanyae Anderson, Reach Cyber Charter School ’25
Joseph Ouma, Charter School of Wilmington ’25
Elijah Simon, MOT Charter High School ’26

2023 Student Cohort

Zabriel Baptiste, MOT Charter High School ’24
Joshuah Gomez, Charter School of Wilmington ’24
Luke Simon, MOT Charter High School ’24
Kourtney Warren, Newark Charter School ’24

2022 Student Cohort

Ruwaydah Cheek, Newark High School ’24
Nathan Idonije, Delaware Military Academy ’23
Luke Simon, MOT Charter High School ’24
Kourtney Warren, Newark Charter School ’24

2021 Student Cohort

Ronald Hollis, William Penn High School ’23
Samantha Ko, Charter School of Wilmington ’22
Matthew Njue, MOT Charter High School ’23
Olaide Olatunbosun, MOT Charter High School ’23
Temitayo Oshatola, Middletown High School ’22
Nathan Wachira, MOT Charter High School ’22