Next Steps for High School Students
As a high schooler, you're getting closer to real choices about your future, and that's exciting!
Now is the time to deepen your exposure, develop real-world skills, and start building the connections that will support your path into medicine and pediatrics.
Activities & Ideas
You're ready to go beyond exploring—you're ready to engage. Whether you want to volunteer, shadow, or apply to a health pathway program, you've got options.
Looking For Programs? Start with UChicago
Why UChicago? At the University of Chicago, we believe every child should have the opportunity to explore careers in science, healthcare, and medicine. Through our schools, hospitals, community partnerships, and outreach programs, students can connect with mentors, participate in hands-on STEM experiences, build leadership skills and begin building pathways toward future careers in healthcare.
Explore dozens of University of Chicago-supported programs focused on education, mentorship, and STEM. We recommend starting with these University of Chicago opportunities before exploring additional Chicago-area STEM and healthcare programs.
UChicago - Office of Civic Engagement Youth Programs
One of the best places to start is the University of Chicago's Youth Programs Directory, which brings together dozens of programs focused on STEM, mentorship and academic enrichment.
Highlights: Learn about our wide variety of University of Chicago-supported programs, initiatives, and community resources.
Website:Website
UChicago - South Side Science Festival
A free, all-ages science celebration held annually at UChicago's Hyde Park campus. With over 100 hands-on demonstrations, live experiments, robotics, 3D printing, and interactive panels, the festival brings science to life for kids, teens, and families alike.
Highlights: Past festivals have included activities like CPR training, fossil exploration, and liquid nitrogen experiments. Ideal for elementary, middle, and high school students eager to explore STEM in a fun, engaging environment.
Website:Website
UChicago – Pathway Programs
- Chicago EYES on Cancer — A two-year, paid research training program for high school juniors and seniors interested in biomedical careers, with summer lab experience and year-round mentorship.
- Collegiate Scholars Program — A prestigious 3-year academic and leadership program for high-achieving CPS students, offering summer classes, college prep, and healthcare exposure.
- HPREP – Health Professions Recruitment & Exposure Program — A six-to-seven week program designed for underrepresented high school students in the Chicagoland area to explore healthcare careers. Participants engage in structured Saturday workshops led by Pritzker medical students, featuring hands-on activities like suturing practice, "Stop the Bleed" training, and hospital tours.
- Office of Special Programs – College Prep (OSP-CP) — Provides academic support, mentoring, and access to college readiness resources for underrepresented CPS students through year-round programming.
- researcHStart — A competitive summer program offering high school students hands-on cancer research experience in university labs across Chicago and Urbana-Champaign.
- SummerLink — A paid summer research internship for past Collegiate Scholars participants, focused on deepening lab experience and scientific communication skills.
- Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology — A virtual, multi-institutional program for high school students interested in science and medicine, focused on entering biomedical career pathways within the field of cancer.
- TEACH Research — A summer enrichment program for CPS high school students, combining mentorship, health research projects, and college readiness training.
UChicago – Neighborhood Schools Program
A UChicago program that provides K–12 students with academic support, tutoring, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities to help them succeed in school.
Highlights: The Homework Help Initiative (HHi) connects students with UChicago student volunteers across all subjects for extra help. For students needing more consistent academic support and mentorship, the Tutor Match Program matches a UChicago student tutor for weekly one-on-one sessions in math, reading, science, and more.
Websites:Homework Help InitiativeTutor Match
UChicago - Volunteer @ Comer Children's Hospital
If you are 16 years or older, you can volunteer at Comer Children's Hospital!
Highlights: A great opportunity to work directly with children and their families, see the inner workings of the hospital, and help make a difference in their lives.
UChicago - Career Shadowing @ Comer Children's Hospital
You could also spend some time shadowing some of our doctors by doing Career Shadowing.
Highlights: A great opportunity to meet doctors in a variety of different specialties, get career advice, and see what a life in pediatrics would be like!
Next, Talk With Your Child's School
After exploring UChicago opportunities, connect with your child's teachers, counselors, and school STEM coordinators to learn about local programs.
You can ask about:
- Chicago Public School STEM programs
- School-based STEM clubs
- Science fairs and competitions
- Local pathway opportunities
Additional Chicago STEM & Healthcare Programs
After-school Alliance – Little Medical School
Hands-on programs for kids ages 4–14 that explore health careers through interactive STEM lessons. Topics include becoming a doctor, veterinarian, or forensic scientist.
Highlights: After-school and summer options; national program with Chicago locations; themed kits and camps.
Website:Website
Association of American Medical Colleges - Medical Pathways & Enrichment Opportunities
A national database from the AAMC that helps high school, college, and post-bacc students discover programs that support aspiring physicians. Search for summer research experiences, shadowing, mentorship, and MCAT prep programs across the U.S.
Website:aamc.org
@rtifice (Artifice)
A Woodlawn-based organization that uses project-based, hands-on learning to explore science and technology.
Highlights: Combines tech and entrepreneurial skills to help make students masters of their own destiny.
Website:artificechicago.org
Association of Pediatric Program Directors (APPD) Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) Mentoring Map
An interactive tool developed by APPD to connect URiM students—from kindergarten through pre-med—with experiential STEM programs across the U.S. It allows users to search by zip code for opportunities like research internships, clinical shadowing, and college prep, helping students build confidence and pursue careers in science and medicine.
Highlights: Nationwide access, free to use, supports diversity in STEM and healthcare.
Website:Website
Chicago Healthcare Workforce Collaborative (CHWC)
CHWC offers several programs designed to provide high school students with hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to various healthcare professions, including the CHESS Program (an 8-week paid summer program providing training and mentorship for underrepresented minority high school students) and the Bridge to Medicine Program (a mentoring initiative for high school students aspiring to pursue careers in medicine).
Website:chihealthworks.com
Chicago MOLA – Mentorship & Career Programs for Latino Students
The Medical Organization for Latino Advancement (MOLA) offers mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities for Latino high school, college, and medical students interested in healthcare careers. Programs include shadowing, research, and leadership training.
Website:chicagomola.com/programs
Chicago Public Library – YOUmedia STEM Programs
Chicago Public Library offers teen and tween programming in STEM, coding, design, and creative media across multiple branches.
Highlights: Free and local; high school–friendly STEM drop-ins and workshops; tech and creativity focused.
Website:chipublib.org/youmedia
Chicago Public School - Health Science Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathways
Specialized programs at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) that provide high school students with hands-on training and academic coursework in healthcare-related fields.
Highlights: These programs aim to prepare students for postsecondary education and careers in the health sciences by combining classroom instruction with real-world experiences.
Website:cps.edu/cte
Chicago STEM Pathways Cooperative
A citywide network of organizations (like Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago Academy of Sciences, Shedd Aquarium) offering STEM programs for high school students. Not health-specific but great for early exposure.
Highlights: Comprehensive program directory searchable by age and interest.
Chicago Youth Programs – STEM Clubs
Serves underserved youth across the city with after-school enrichment, including STEM clubs and mentorship for high schoolers.
Highlights: Longitudinal support; academic, STEM, and leadership tracks; serves youth on South and West Sides.
Website:chicagoyouthprograms.org
Creating Pathways and Access for Student Success (CPASS) – Chicago Area Health & Medical Careers Program (CAHMCP)
A long-standing initiative offering academic enrichment, career exposure, and mentorship for students from middle school through college.
Highlights: Keep up to date by joining STEMMing Forward - their monthly newsletter of inspiration and innovation.
Girls Who Code – Chicago Chapters
National organization with high school clubs throughout Chicago. Focuses on building coding confidence and problem-solving skills in girls and nonbinary youth.
Highlights: Free weekly coding clubs; beginner-friendly; encourages teamwork and creativity.
Website:girlswhocode.com
Girls 4 Science
A nonprofit dedicated to engaging girls aged 10-18 in STEM through hands-on lab, field, and classroom experiences. Programs include Saturday STEM Academies at multiple Chicago locations and summer camps that cover everything from biology to robotics.
Highlights: Free enrollment, focus on underrepresented youth, role model exposure, parent engagement.
Website:Website
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) – Future Health Professionals
An international student organization that empowers future healthcare leaders through education, competition, service, and leadership development. HOSA helps students explore healthcare careers while building skills in communication, teamwork, clinical knowledge, and professionalism.
Highlights: Local chapters at many high schools; healthcare-focused competitions; leadership opportunities; community service projects; networking with healthcare professionals; scholarships; and conferences at the state, national, and international levels.
Website:hosa.org
Illinois Resources And Programs for Increasing Diversity in Health Professions (RAPID)
RAPID has a comprehensive online directory designed to help Illinois students of all ages explore and connect with healthcare and STEM programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Highlights: Programs from elementary school to graduate school and everything in between!
Website:Website
Illinois State Medical Society – Building a Diverse Medical Workforce
ISMS provides a curated list of physician pathway programs aimed at exposing students from underrepresented groups to the medical profession, including information on mentorship opportunities and educational programs designed to build a more diverse medical workforce.
Website:isms.org
Kids STEM Studio
Chicago-based program offering weekly classes, after-school programs, and camps focused on coding, engineering, and robotics.
Highlights: Hands-on tech exploration for ages 4–14; age-appropriate instruction and projects.
Website:Website
Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
Loyola offers summer and after-school pathway programs for underrepresented high schoolers in health sciences.
Highlights: Mission-driven service learning, shadowing, and health disparities education.
Websites:ssom.luc.edu/diversityOutreach, Recruitment & SuccessHPREP
Lurie Children's Hospital
Has a variety of programs to help high school students explore healthcare career exposure and skill-building activities.
Highlights: Interactive career exposure; mentorship and confidence-building; high school–focused.
Website:luriechildrens.org
Medical Careers Exposure & Emergency Preparedness Program (MCEEP)
A program designed to introduce high school students to various healthcare careers and emergency preparedness.
Highlights: Activities include workshops, simulations, and interactions with healthcare professionals.
Website:medceep.com
Northwestern University - Boys & Girls Science Club
Weekly mentoring and experiments with grad students for high schoolers. Long-term engagement builds confidence and scientific thinking.
Highlights: Weekly hands-on science; long-term mentorship; CPS and community-based.
Website:scienceclub.northwestern.edu
Northwestern University - Medicine Discovery Program
Aimed at high school students, this program offers exposure to biomedical research and healthcare careers through workshops, lab experiences, and faculty mentorship.
Highlights: Students participate in monthly sessions that include lectures, hands-on activities, and mentorship from healthcare professionals.
One Summer Chicago
A citywide initiative that connects Chicago youth aged 14 to 24 with PAID summer employment and internship opportunities across various sectors, including healthcare.
Highlights: Provides valuable work experience, skill development, and exposure to different career paths.
Website:onesummerchicago.org
Project Exploration
Provides free, hands-on science programs to underrepresented youth across Chicago. Programs like "Sisters4Science" and "Science Giants" combine mentorship with exciting STEM challenges.
Highlights: After-school and summer options, transportation and meals often included, strong emphasis on equity and access.
Website:Website
Rosalind Franklin University
A variety of programs to provide an engaging, hands-on introduction to the health sciences including Science Saturdays (learning core lab techniques), INSPIRE (an eight-week mentoring, research and academic preparation program), the Virtual Mentor Program, and CampMed (a 5-day summer immersive program in healthcare, science and research).
Highlights: Through interactive case studies, experiments, in person and virtual options, high school students discover the world of medicine.
Website:rosalindfranklin.edu
Rush University
Provides healthcare and STEM education experiences for Chicago students. Programs include field trips, hands-on simulations, and career exploration activities at Rush University Medical Center.
Highlights: Focus on West Side youth, exposure to real health professionals, structured career pathways.
Snapology Chicago
STEAM education through LEGO®, K'Nex, and tech-based activities. Great for early exploration of robotics, engineering, and problem-solving.
Highlights: Year-round classes and camps; ages 4–14; robotics, design, and team-based learning.
Website:Website
Sneakers to Scrubs
A Chicago-based program that empowers Black student-athletes to explore healthcare careers through sports medicine camps, hands-on workshops, and mentorship.
Highlights: Free programs for high schoolers; CPR training; founded by med students & athletes.
Website:sneakers2scrubs.org
South Side STEM Station
Community-based STEM programs designed to introduce students to science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world problem solving.
Highlights: STEM workshops and enrichment programs; hands-on projects; mentorship opportunities; community-focused learning experiences.
Website:Website
SPHERES – High School Research Program (University of Illinois College of Medicine)
The SPHERES program (Summer Program for High School Engagement in Research in Environmental and Health Sciences) gives high school students the chance to participate in hands-on research projects with faculty mentors. Students gain experience in public health, environmental science, and biomedical research.
Website:medicine.illinois.edu
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
UIC's Health Science Learning Exchange / Urban Health Program (UHP) supports pathway programs for underrepresented youth, including STEM clubs and summer enrichment for high school students through partnerships with CPS schools.
Highlights: Academic enrichment, mentorship, and exposure to careers in health sciences.
Website:uhp.uic.edu
Want a sneak peek into the future… BEYOND high school?
Check out some of these resources to learn more about the pathway to pediatrics after high school!
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Premed Resources
Great collection of activities, summer enrichment programs for college students, webinars, inspiring stories, tools and resources for first-generation medical school students, information on what medical school is really like, how to find a prehealth advisor, getting into medical school 101, and more!
Website:aamc.org/premed-resources
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Premed Resources
A helpful hub for students interested in becoming pediatricians, featuring tips on preparing for medical school, understanding pediatric training paths, exploring specialties, and hearing directly from pediatricians about their careers and experiences. Includes sections tailored for high school and college students, plus advice on choosing pediatrics as a career and staying involved in advocacy and child health early on.
Website:aap.org/pre-med
This is just a start!
Looking for even more opportunities? Try searching for terms like "Chicago STEM programs," "healthcare pathway programs," or "healthcare career programs for youth" to see what else might be on offer!
- Chicago Public Library – Free Homework Help
- Brainfuse Online Tutoring: Access live, one-on-one tutoring daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. in subjects like math, science, English, and social studies. Available in English and Spanish, this service supports students from early elementary through college prep levels. Additional resources include practice tests (e.g., ACT/SAT), a writing lab, and video lessons. Learn more
- Teacher in the Library: Certified teachers provide homework assistance and study skills support at various CPL locations. This program operates during the school year, from the week before Labor Day to the week before Memorial Day, with breaks aligning with public school schedules. Learn more
- Learning Tools: CPL also offers a range of online learning tools, including access to Khan Academy for video tutorials and practice exercises in various subjects. Learn more
- Chicago Public Schools Department of STEM: CPS offers a variety of STEM programs across its schools, aiming to make every school STEM-ready and every student STEM-powered. Programs include curriculum enhancements and extracurricular activities to promote STEM education. Be sure to talk to your child's science teachers & counselor to see what's on offer!