Research Programs

Our Research Philosophy

A Commitment to Educating and Empowering Young Scholars

We believe that true education is about discovery, curiosity, and contribution. At REC Academy, young scholars learn to ask meaningful questions, conduct fundamental research, and make an impact on the world around them.
Our programs offer personalized mentorship by university professors, blending rigorous academic research with creativity and social impact.
Young Scholar Research Program Curriculum

Young Scholar Research Program

Grades 9–12 | 16-Week Professor-led 1:1 Personalized Research

  • Weekly 1:1 research mentorship with a top 10 university professor
  • Weekly 1:1 technical support with a teaching assistant
  • Weekly 90-minute research cohort workshop
  • Expected outcomes: a college-level research paper, poster, and conference presentation
  • Post-program support (3 months):
    • Submissions to peer-reviewed conferences, competitions, and journals
    • Recommendation letter for outstanding students
  • Research leadership: serve as a Research Ambassador to mentor new students and promote research in your community
Rising Scholar Research Camp Curriculum

Rising Scholar Research Camp

Grades 7–9 | 12-Week Professor-led Research Camp

  • Weekly 2-hour group research projects with a top 10 university professor
  • Weekly 1:1 technical support with a teaching assistant
  • Expected outcomes: a college-level research poster and presentation
  • Learning: research process, tools, and methods.
  • Preparation: foundation for research competitions and 1:1 personalized research.

Q & A

What makes this research program different from other “research courses”?

This is a true professor-led research mentorship.

Unlike standardized programs, your child will:

  • Work 1-on-1 with a tenured research-active full professor (not a PhD student, Post-Doc, or Lecturer)
  • Develop a fully personalized research topic (not choose from a list or work on others’ topic)
  • Complete a college-level original research project

The goal is not “checking a box,” but building a genuine academic identity that top universities value.

100% personalized. One student = one unique research project. We design the topic based on each student’s (1) intended college major, (2) extracurricular activities, (3) personal experiences, interests, and hobbies. For example, A student interested in economics and finance with a hobby in stock trading conducted research on AI analysis of monetary policy text to examine how the tone of economic policy affects stock markets. A student interested in business and volunteering in nursing homes researched AI adoption among the elderly. Please see more examples of our students’ personalized research projects at https://researchenc.com/student-projects/.

Yes—the professor leads the program personally.

Your child will receive:

  • Weekly 1-on-1 sessions with Professor Li
  • Weekly 1-on-1 technical support from a TA
  • Small-group research workshops on a weekend evening

Professor Li is a tenured full professor at a Top 10 Business School and adjunct professor of Data Science. Professor Li serves as a Senior Editor and Associate Editor for multiple leading business journals. She is an invited speaker at Harvard, Wharton, Columbia, and more than 60 universities worldwide. She graduated from Yale University, serves as an ISEF judge and research mentor. She cares deeply about promoting research among high school students and is devoted to training the next generation of young scholars.  This level of direct access to a top professor is extremely rare.

Students produce real academic deliverables. Through the program, your child will complete:

  • A college-level research paper 
  • A professional academic poster
  • A conference-style presentation
  • Submission to research competitions and academic conferences

Top-performing students may also receive:

  • Professor recommendation letters
  • Opportunities to become research assistants or ambassadors

Definitely. All research projects are positioned for competitive recognition. For ISEF Science Fair, your child’s research can be submitted to:

  • Behavioral & Social Science categories
  • Mathematics categories (for modeling-based projects)

Many of our students have:

  • Won Science Fair awards
  • Advanced to state and national-level competitions
  • Been recognized among top young researchers

This program builds a clear, unique, and compelling academic profile. Rather than scattered activities, your child develops a focused direction that top universities actively look for.

Key benefits include:

  • Creates a coherent academic narrative (“Why Major”)
  • Provides a unique, standout personal story and academic discovery for essay material
  • Demonstrates initiative, intellectual curiosity, and rigor
  • Adds high-impact academic honors, activities, and recognitions

The result is not just participation—but a focused academic identity.

Recommended timing for maximum impact.

We guide students based on their grade level:

  • Grades 9–10 (Optimal timing) — Build a strong research foundation and compete in major competitions
  • Grades 11–12 — Focus on research papers, publications, and application impact
  • Grades 7–8 (Preparation stage) — Early exposure and foundational skill-building

Starting earlier provides a long-term competitive advantage.

Not having a research idea is completely normal. This is exactly where we provide the most value. Professor Li specializes in:

  • Turning interests into clear research questions
  • Helping students discover their academic direction
  • Building confidence from zero to advanced research

Many students start with no clear idea and finish with a defined academic identity.

The program is designed to fit into a student’s weekly schedule.

Students spend approximately 5 hours per week, including:

  • 1-on-1 session with a professor
  • 1-on-1 TA support
  • Small-group workshops
  • Guided independent work

We provide structured guidance and accountability, ensuring students stay on track even with busy schedules.

This program is designed for highly motivated students.

It is an excellent fit for students who:

  • Are curious and intellectually driven
  • Want to stand out in top university admissions
  • Are willing to think deeply and work independently
  • Have interests in fields such as:
    • Business / Economics
    • Data Science Statistics / AI
    • Psychology / Public Policy
    • Social Science, Humanity, and STEM multi-disciplinary majors

We are not a good fit for students who are not interested in learning.

This program is highly selective. Students are admitted based on

  • Academic background
  • Motivation
  • Fit for research mentorship
  •  

This ensures high-quality mentorship and individualized attention.

Research doesn’t stop here—it continues to grow.

Students can build on their work by:

  • Submitting to academic conferences
  • Competing in science fairs or other competitions
  • Expanding into advanced research projects
  • Taking on leadership roles (research assistant or mentor)

This is not a one-time project—it becomes a foundation for long-term academic success.

To help us assess fit, please share:

  • Current grade level
  • Intended major (if known)
  • School transcript 
  • Resume or a list of interests and extracurricular activities

We will provide an honest assessment of fit along with clear next steps.

wpChatIcon
wpChatIcon