Synthica

About Synthica

Synthica is a global research organization that helps high school students conduct original STEM research and take part in research competitions. It describes itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that makes research approachable for students of all levels and provides its curriculum, mentorship and opportunities free of charge, as an alternative to expensive and selective research programs.

Its offering has several parts. A research group program pairs accepted applicants with mentors who did research as high schoolers at leading universities, and teaches research methodology and skills through to full research papers. A chapter program lets students start and lead local research clubs using official Synthica training materials, with chapters reported across more than 40 countries. The Global Research Challenge is a competition in which students present research projects, with prizes and publication for winners. Synthica also co-organizes SISTER, the Summer Institute of Science, Technology, and Engineering Research, a free virtual summer program with several research tracks run together with partner organizations.

Synthica Journal is an open-access, peer-reviewed STEM journal for student researchers, published under a CC BY 4.0 licence with registered DOIs and no charges to authors or readers. The organization works with partners, sponsors and educational institutions to expand access, and it does not charge students, so it operates as a nonprofit rather than selling products.