Youth STEM Journal Club

Free · Online · Grades 6–9 · Summer 2026 has wrapped

Read real science.
Together.

The Youth STEM Journal Club is a free, online summer program for rising 6th–9th graders that turns video‑game time into productive STEM discovery. With no homework or grades, learn to dissect real research papers through hands‑on exploration with experienced Mission San Jose mentors.

Read Volume 2 of the Journal Watch the intro video

Our Summer 2026 cohort has wrapped — their literature reviews are now live in Volume 2 of the Journal. Registration for Summer 2027 opens next spring; stay tuned.

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Check out the video to learn more.

Backed by research

Journal clubs are effective approaches in the training of [students] while exercising communication skills and critical thinking.
— Oxford Academic, 2024
  • Builds critical thinking & research skills
  • Prepares students for high school STEM
  • Small groups, flexible scheduling
  • 100% free — no fees, ever

The program

How it works

Format, structure, and what to expect from a four-week online cohort.

Read program details

The Archive

The Journal

Two volumes of literature reviews written by our cohort scholars — including the new Volume 2 from Summer 2026.

Open the journal

The Team

Meet the mentors

The high school students who lead each cohort.

Meet the team

How it works

Four-week rhythm.

Two 1-hour Zoom sessions per week. Mentors lead. Students read, discuss, and present.

  1. Day 1 — Introduction to research literature

    Anatomy of a research paper. Types of research. Breakout rooms by subject to meet your mentor.

  2. Day 2 — Your first paper

    Mentors introduce your cohort's first paper and walk you into the methods. Guided reading begins.

Source: YSJC 2026 Program Outline (PDF)

Subjects

Six fields. One way of thinking.

Each cohort is small, mentor-led, and built around real research papers in its field.

Computer Science & AI Mathematics Biology Chemistry Psychology Physics

See all subjects

Last summer

Photos from Showcase Day.

Newark Library Community Room — July 26, 2025.

YSJC 2025 cohort — students, mentors, and parents at Showcase Day, Newark Library.
Wide view of the Newark Library Community Room — families seated, CS cohort presenting Attention Is All You Need.
Families seated in the Community Room's glass atrium, sunlight streaming in.
Biology cohort presenting their analysis of biological resilience to the audience.
Chemistry cohort presenting their methodology slide on heavy metals in green tea.
Computer Science cohort presenting Attention Is All You Need with the audience looking on.
Psychology cohort presenting their analysis of Milgram's Obedience Study.
Presenters at the 'Thank you' slide closing their final presentation.

100% free · Back for Summer 2027

See you in Summer 2027.

Our Summer 2026 cohort has wrapped — you can read everything they produced in Volume 2 of the Journal. Registration for Summer 2027 opens next spring; email us and we'll make sure you're the first to know when it does.

Read Volume 2 Email us about 2027

Questions? Email ysjcteam@gmail.com