Program — Youth STEM Journal Club

Format at a glance

Format: 100% online (Zoom)
Duration: 4 weeks beginning the week of June 15, 2026
Sessions: Two 1-hour cohort sessions per week (days/times TBD)
Parent meeting: Weekend of June 13–14, 2026
Final presentations: Saturday of Week 4
Cost: Free

Week by week

Each week follows a consistent rhythm: two live Zoom sessions, asynchronous reading via Google Classroom, and interactive activities (Kahoot, Gimkit) to keep things lively.

Week 1 — Foundations of Reading Research

Day 1: Introduction to research literature

Anatomy of a research paper: abstract, methods, results, discussion
Types of research — experimental, observational, computational, theoretical
Breakout rooms by subject cohort to meet mentors

Day 2: First paper introduced

Mentors introduce the cohort's first paper and its real-world context
Begin guided reading and annotation
Soft-deadline reading assignment posted to Google Classroom

Week 2 — Getting Started with Research

Day 1: Results & interpretation

Reading figures, tables, and statistical claims
Cohort discussion: what do the results actually show?
Gimkit or Kahoot review on key terms from the week

Day 2: Methods deep-dive

Discussion of the experimental or analytical methods used in the paper
How researchers design a study — controls, variables, sample size
Live activity: identify the methodology in a short companion paper

Week 3 — Critical Thinking in Research

Day 1: Limitations and critique

Identifying limitations, confounders, and unanswered questions in the paper
How peer review and replication work in practice
Students draft three critical questions to bring to the next session

Day 2: Connecting the paper to the broader field

Where does this paper fit in the existing literature landscape?
Discussion of related work and follow-up studies
Mentors help students choose the angle for their final presentation

Week 4 — Presentation & Communication

Day 1: Final presentation preparation

Clinic on science communication — slide-making, pacing, plain-language framing
Mentors give live feedback on student draft slides and run practice presentations
Final logistics confirmed for Presentation Day

Day 2: Presentation Day

Each department head introduces their group and their works
Students present their paper analyses and insights to peers and parents
Q&A sessions after each presentation
Closing remarks and program celebration

Academic expectations

YSJC is a discussion-based program, not a graded course. Students are expected to complete asynchronous pre-readings (about three pages per session) and short reflection notes between meetings.

The goal is to foster scientific curiosity, mentorship, and open discussion — not assessments or tests.

Engagement & retention

Soft deadlines on Google Classroom to give structure without high-stakes pressure.
Interactive review activities (Kahoot, Gimkit) embedded into sessions.
Small cohort sizes so every student has a voice in discussion.

Online conduct & expectations

To keep sessions productive and respectful, all participants agree to the following across every Zoom session.

Preparation

Complete the assigned reading (about three pages per session) before each meeting.
Come with at least one question, note, or reflection to share with your cohort.
Submit any Google Classroom assignments by the posted soft deadline.

Zoom etiquette

Join on time with a stable internet connection.
Cameras on for the full session — your full face should be clearly visible.
Microphones muted unless speaking or instructed otherwise.
Use a neutral, non-distracting background and avoid multitasking.
Display your real first and last name on Zoom for attendance.

Respect & participation

Show respect to mentors, peers, and guests at all times.
Disagreements are welcome — disrespect is not.
Participate thoughtfully in discussions and breakout rooms.

Attendance

Notify your mentor in advance if you must miss a session and complete the work independently.
Repeated unexcused absences may result in dismissal from the program.

Repeated violations may result in dismissal from the program.

Frequently asked

Is the program free?

Yes. YSJC has no participation fees. It's a free summer program run by high school student volunteers.

Who can join?

Middle and high school students. Subject placement is by interest and preference, not grade level.

What about time zones?

All sessions are live on Zoom. Days and times are set by each cohort once mentors and most participants are confirmed — we work to find times that suit the majority of registered students' time zones.

How are mentors vetted?

Mentors are high school students who have taught the same paper to a cohort before or done meaningful research in the field. The program lead reviews each mentor's subject expertise and teaching plan before the program begins.

What if my child misses a session?

Notify the mentor in advance. Reading and any short activity from the missed session is posted to the cohort's Google Classroom — your child completes it on their own time and re-joins the next session.

Are the papers age-appropriate?

Mentors pick papers that are challenging but accessible — landmark studies, recent research that has popular-press coverage, or supplements that walk through the math. We don't expect any student to understand everything; we expect them to learn how to read it.

Will my child be photographed?

Sessions are not recorded. Presentation Day is a celebratory event and photos may be taken with parental consent.

The full program packet

Everything on this page in one document, plus the academic expectations and conduct rules signed by participants.

PDF · 4 pages

2026 Program Outline

The full information packet for parents and students.

Download

PDF · 1 page

Academic Expectations

Class rules and online conduct, distilled into one page.

Download

Preview the Program Outline inline