Developing and supporting the next generation of leaders in science and medicine

Science Education Department

Seattle Children’s Science Education Department offers innovative programs and summer internships for K-12 and undergraduate students. The team supports the training and development of undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars at Seattle Children’s Research Division. Learn more.

K-12 Students

We partner with teachers, schools and communities to deliver innovative educational experiences and access to authentic scientific research. Our goal is to inspire passion for science, promote better health for students and enhance science education throughout Washington state.

Applications for the Science Adventure Lab (grades 4-8) are now available.

The Science Discovery Lab (grades 9-12) is fully booked for the 2024-2025 school year. Please check back for applications for the 2025-2026 school year.

Applications for the 2025 Research Training Program (grade 10) are open from Jan. 6 to Mar. 9, 2025.

Undergraduate and Graduate Students

The Summer Scholars Program provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to engage in basic, clinical and/or translational research projects under the mentorship of experienced researchers and principal investigators.

We are excited to announce a new summer research program called SPARQ (Summer Program to Advance Research and eQuity in Pain and Neurological Health). SPARQ is a nine-week paid summer research opportunity, intended to train and support undergraduate students who are interested in equity in pain and neurologic health research. More information and application guidelines for the 2025 program will be available here in early January 2025. If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to Sophia Mun.

Our faculty hosts University of Washington graduate students from a variety of programs, including MCB, M3D, Pathobiology, Neuroscience, Public Health, and more. For more information about graduate studies at Seattle Children's Research Institute, please email the Science Education Department.

Postdoctoral Scholars

The Science Education Department supports the postdoctoral training experience by providing opportunities for professional development, educational events, networking and community building activities throughout the year.

The Invent at Seattle Children’s Postdoctoral Scholars Program is an investment in training early career scientists historically underrepresented in or excluded from biotech in the development of therapeutics for childhood conditions. Scholars will receive support to create new “discovered here” cellular, gene or protein therapeutics that ultimately advance to clinical trials for children, all while preparing for careers in the biotech industry or academia.

Featured Educational Programs

Science Adventure Lab

Our 45-foot mobile science lab brings innovative science education to children at schools across Washington state.

Science Education Partnership Award Program

The Science Education Department is supported in part by the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Program in the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Science Discovery Lab

Students can participate in authentic science in a state-of-the-art lab embedded in the research institute.

Research Training Program

We offer high school students from groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research the opportunity to apply for competitive positions in our Research Training Program.

Summer Scholars Program

Undergraduate summer interns with underrepresented backgrounds in science and medicine gain valuable research experience and career development tools on Seattle Children's research teams.

NIH Diversity Supplements Connection Program

The Diversity Supplement Connections Program aims to increase the use of National Institutes of Health (NIH) Diversity Supplements, to diversify research faculty, trainees and staff at the research institute.

Current Postdoctoral Scientist Openings

Postdoctoral scientists contribute to research throughout Seattle Children’s Research Institute, and the research institute is a great place to start or continue your postdoctoral training and research.

Invent at Seattle Children’s Postdoctoral Scholars Program

Contact Us

If there are any questions or concerns, please email the Science Education Department.