ASPIRATION Literature Adaptation

ASPIRATION Program:
AI-Guided Scientist-Mentored Primary Literature Adaptation for STEMM Education (ASPIRATION)

ASPIRATION Program for High School Students APPLY HERE 

Please note: The application may close early if the number of qualified applicants exceeds program capacity. Applications submitted after capacity is reached will be placed on a waitlist. 

Mentor Recruitment: Complete the Form Here

We are seeking scientists, graduate students, medical students, physicians, nurses, and other professionals interested in mentoring high school students in reading and translating scientific literature into accessible language. Mentor role: 1) Guide 3–4 students through a scientific paper;  2) Meet with the group weekly and support their final product - an infographics and symosium presentation;  3) Program guidance and resources provided.

Program Description

The AI-Guided Scientist-Mentored Primary Literature Adaptation for STEMM Education (ASPIRATION) Program is an 8 week virtual summer research and science communication program designed for high school students interested in science, medicine, and research. The program combines AI-guided tools with one-on-one scientist mentorship to help students learn how to read, interpret, and translate primary scientific literature into clear, accessible multimedia science communication products. 

Through structured training and mentorship, students gain experience in: Scientific literature comprehension, AI-guided tools for simplification and adaptation, Multimedia science communication. 

Key dates and information

Application deadline:                                 April 10, 2026
Selected students will be notified by:       April 19, 2026
Registration Deadline if selected:             May 5, 2026
Program Dates:                                           June 6 - July 31, 2026
Location:         Virtual
Estimate time per week:                            10-20 hours, zoom meetings with mentors once or twice a week plus self-study remotely.
Estimate meeting schedule: Scheduled after 5 PM on weekdays or on Saturdays. 

Symposium Participation

All students complete the program with a polished final product will have the opportunity (if elect to do so) to present their work at the end-of-summer High School Student Symposium.

Symposium day:  August 8, Saturday, University of Houston 

Application Process and Program Expectations

Students apply to the ASPIRATION Program through an application process. Selected students participate in structured small group virtual training and mentorship. 

Program Expectations:

Time Commitment: ~10–20 hours per week, require full commitment

Weekly 1–2 Zoom meetings with mentors

Independent study and project development (remote)

Students are expected to participate fully throughout the program. Repeated absences or lack of communication with mentors may result in not being listed as a co-author on the final simplified paper and/or not participating in the final presentation. 

Additional Details: 

Mentoring & Literature Adaptation

Each selected student is paired with a group of students and a scientist mentor and will:

• Learn how to read and interpret a selected primary research article. 

• Use AI-supported tools to clarify complex scientific concepts

• Adapt scientific publications into simplified, student-friendly content

• Create a science communication product with simplified figures.

• Tailor content for audiences with varying literacy levels

This collaboration models how AI and human expertise work together to improve science communication for education and public outreach.

Reference about ASPIRATION program