The Program

The Research Internship Program provides a great opportunity for high school students to tackle research problems in a college setting. Interns work in teams on applied research projects under the constant guidance of Cooper Union undergraduate teaching assistants. Each project is supervised and mentored by Cooper Union faculty and covers fields such as civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical, biomedical and environmental engineering and chemistry, physics and astronomy.

This intense experience is designed to give insight into scientific and engineering professions; a chance to interact with talented undergraduate students in a university environment; an opportunity to work with faculty in the forefront of engineering education; and last, but not least, the fun and rewards that come with the challenges of undertaking real research.

Each research project is complemented by lectures and discussions led by Cooper Union faculty.  These will add to the math and science the interns are learning at school and demonstrate how these subjects form the foundation of the engineering and scientific professions.

In addition to this technical training, the program includes workshops on oral presentations, technical writing, career choices, college admissions, as well as introductions to Cooper Union’s library resources and computer facilities.  Typically, projects include a field trip to enhance the interns’ experience.

The six-week program culminates with each group presenting their work to an invited audience. The interns receive a certificate from the Albert Nerken School of Engineering recognizing their participation in the program.

High school sophomores and juniors work together in the project teams, with the juniors taking a more advanced role. 

Program sessions are held four days a week, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm.  At the discretion of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, students may receive Metrocards to cover transportation costs. Interns must provide their own lunch.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.