An Immersive Program for High School Students (Grades 9-12)

This foundational program is designed for curious, motivated students eager to explore the intersection of research, artificial intelligence, and innovation. Through an engaging, project-based curriculum, participants will learn how to identify real-world challenges, explore the power of AI, and build their first solution guided by a proven innovation framework inspired by real-world industry practices.

If you are overwhelmed by the AI noise everywhere and wondering how your high schooler can survive and thrive in this changing landscape, you are not alone!

Whether your student is interested in medicine, engineering, research, or entrepreneurship, or is still undecided about a career pathway, this program will provide them clarity. The curriculum equips them with the research skills, creative problem-solving skills, an innovation mindset, and the necessary foundational AI skills (if they pick the AI track). Students graduate with a polished prototype, a personal portfolio, and the confidence to pursue bold ideas, all of which are required to stand out in college applications, science fairs, and future internships.

🚨NOTE 1: Though the program modules are tailored for the healthcare and life sciences domain, the skills obtained can be extended to all other domains.

🚨NOTE 2: If your student already has an idea they want to continue building on with mentorship, they are welcome to do so.

🚨NOTE 3: The program modules are flexible and can be tailored for students who are primarily interested in research and innovation. There are two tracks: (1) Research and Innovation and (2) Research, AI, Innovation. Choose the track of interest in the application form.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is built around three powerful pillars: Research, AI, and Innovation.

In the first half of the program, students will dive into the first half of the CONNECT-IL framework, which guides them to research and identify a meaningful real-world challenge, explore its broader ecosystem, generate cross-disciplinary ideas (interdisciplinary innovation), and choose a solution worth building. If they choose the AI track, they will learn the fundamentals of AI: what it is, how it works, and how to apply a step-by-step model-building framework using a healthtech case study. If students are curious about coding, they’ll also have the chance to explore hands-on Python modeling.

In the second half of the program, students will explore the remaining components of the CONNECT-IL framework, which focuses on bringing their ideas to life. They will build a prototype using either no-code/low-code tools or code an AI-powered solution, depending on their experience and interest. They will also master the art of pitching and explore what it takes to move your idea forward through publication and/or continued innovation.

The program culminates in Demo Day, where students will present their prototype to friends, family, and invited guests. They will receive feedback, graduate with a certificate, and walk away with a portfolio-ready project that reflects not only what they learned but also what they created.

Success Stories

Hear from students who have transformed their academic journey through our mentorship.

FAQ

1. Program Value

How does the program differ from existing ones?

This isn’t a pre-recorded class or a generic STEM camp. It’s a live, online, interactive, project-based learning curriculum formulated and taught by Dr. Vinitha, a biomedical data scientist and innovation leader with over 15 years of experience building real-world AI products.

Unlike other programs that focus solely on coding or provide a surface-level introduction to AI, this three-month program helps students develop research skills and an innovation mindset through a structured CONNECT-IL framework. Students will identify a real-world challenge, explore solutions using lateral thinking and interdisciplinary innovation, build a prototype, and pitch it (similar to the Stanford Biodesign approach, with additional elements) – all under the guidance of a real industry expert.

Anyone can learn to code. But this program goes deeper: “Can you identify a real problem worth solving and build something meaningful around it and communicate that effectively (think an elevator pitch)?” By the end of the program, participants will have a portfolio-worthy project and the option to continue their journey through the IMPACT Labs 1:1 Mentorship program. Although coder-friendly, the program’s primary focus is on introducing the student to research, AI, and the innovation process.

In their high school experience, what sets students apart is the ability to conduct independent research or complete innovation projects that demonstrate initiative, strong leadership, effective communication skills, and confidence in presenting their ideas. This program offers all of that.

How is this program different from the high school curriculum?

Most school systems don’t teach students how to apply their knowledge to real-world innovation. Here’s what’s missing and what we bring:

• 📄 Limited research and publication opportunities: Students often struggle to find a suitable topic for research and frequently require guidance.
  ☑️ This program focuses on helping students interested in research identify a topic worth researching and guiding them in framing the research for future publication in scientific journals.
• 🚫 Limited real-world AI applications: Students may learn algebra or biology, but rarely learn how AI helps with early disease detection, crop health monitoring, or traffic prediction.
  ☑️ This program focuses on building AI solutions for real-world challenges.
• 🔄 Lack of interdisciplinary thinking: Subjects are generally taught in silos. Rarely do students understand how research, knowledge from different disciplines, ethics, and design combine to create innovation. Real innovation lives at the intersections.
  ☑️ This program teaches students to connect disciplines like engineers, designers, and innovators do.
• 🛠️ Lack of innovation and design skills: There is little opportunity to brainstorm, test, and build things that matter.
  ☑️ This program helps students identify real problems, prototype, and pitch ideas just like startups do.
• 👀 Limited career path visibility: Schools often focus on traditional fields like medicine, engineering, or law, but overlook emerging areas such as biomedical AI, digital health, and impact startups.
  ☑️ The program spotlights emerging careers where technology meets various disciplines, such as biomedical data scientists, medical device design engineers, data scientists in climate tech, or founders using AI to change the world.

This program fills in these critical gaps and empowers students with the mindset and skills they need to thrive in college and beyond.

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2. Application, Pre-requisites, Pricing

Is this course open to beginners?

Yes.

Should I know coding?

No prior coding experience required, but an interest in life sciences and innovation is a great place to start. If you know coding and want to build a tech product, we can offer the required guidance so you get the maximum value out of the program.

What happens once I submit my application?

Your application will be reviewed within 48 hours. If admitted, you’ll receive an email asking to confirm the admission. Once admission is confirmed, you will receive onboarding instructions via email. If you are not admitted, you will also receive a notification by email.

I do not reside in the U.S. Can I still participate?

You may be able to. Please apply still and we will reach out to you with additional information.

Is there an Info session?

Please email contact@impactlabsacademy.com expressing your interest in an information session.

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3. Program Details

What is included in my tuition?

• Weekly 2-hour live classes (8 hours/month priced at ~$25 each class)
• Project-based learning using real-world health challenges
• Guided AI exploration (no prior coding required), if AI track is selected
• Research and publication guidance
• Weekly study materials and assignments – optional but highly recommended to maximize course value
• Work on prototyping a solution for one selected real-world problem in life sciences
• Individualized project feedback
• Access to a small, curated peer group
• Parent check-ins

At the end of the program, students will also participate in a Demo Day where they will pitch their prototype. They will also receive a Certificate of Completion. If internships are available in the startups advised by Dr. Vinitha, they will be able to apply for them.

What if I miss a live session?

Recordings of all live sessions will be available to students in the course portal for on-demand access until the end of the course duration.

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4. Post-program Details

Are course materials accessible after the program?

Yes, students will have lifetime access to any PDFs and reading materials provided via Google Drive, allowing them to refer to them at any time after the program.

Are there any follow-up programs available for individuals who have completed this program?

Yes, if students wish to continue building their AI portfolio independently or work on challenging new projects in-depth and require mentorship, they can enroll in the IMPACT Labs 1:1 Mentorship program. For more details and to express interest, please email contact@impactlabsacademy.com.

Will I receive a letter of recommendation after this program?

Please note that this program does not include a college recommendation letter. However, students who continue into the IMPACT Labs 1:1 Mentorship program may be eligible for a letter of recommendation upon completion, at the mentor’s discretion and based on demonstrated merit and commitment.