What is SSP International?
SSP International is a nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to “promote learning, doing, and belonging in science.” SSP International Founded in 1959 with the launch of its flagship initiative, the Summer Science Program (SSP), it offers immersive and transformational science experiences for high-school students. SSP International+1
Why it matters
- The program is described as a “hands-on research experience designed for highly motivated high school juniors” across fields such as astrophysics, biochemistry, bacterial genomics, synthetic chemistry, and cell biology. SSP International
- Its impact metrics: 5 research projects in different domains, over 4,300 alumni, and more than 66 years of innovation. SSP International
- It uniquely combines living on a college campus, doing real scientific inquiry, and forming lifelong friendships.
What students experience
Participants engage in rigorous, real-world research rather than standard lectures. They live on campus, collaborate in teams, learn from faculty, attend guest lectures, go on field trips, and immerse themselves in the culture of science. SSP International For example:
- They might work on astrophysics projects with telescopes and data.
- Or join a synthetic chemistry team designing molecules and running experiments.
- Or analyze bacterial genomes in bioinformatics workflows.
Who it’s for
If you’re a high school student with a strong passion for science, willing to work hard, excited about living on a college campus for a summer, and eager to join a community of peers who share your curiosity — SSP International may be a great fit. SSP International
How to get involved
- Apply for the program via the “Apply” section on their website. SSP International
- For parents and families, there’s information about host campuses, the Honor Code, health & safety, FAQs. SSP International
- They also invite support: alumni network, mentorship, donations, giving circles, sponsoring students. SSP International
Why this matters in today’s world
In an era where STEM education is critical for addressing global challenges—from climate change to disease to technological disruption—programs like SSP International play a vital role. They don’t just teach science; they immersestudents in it, giving them agency to do science. This fosters deeper engagement, higher retention in STEM pathways, and builds the kind of creative, curious mindset needed for future innovation.