Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a field scientist? Find out with the North Carolina Young Scientist Society!

The North Carolina Young Scientist Society is a mostly virtual program that engages high schoolers across North Carolina in authentic natural history-focused scientific research. Throughout the year, we train students in weekly meetings to create and implement a nature-focused scientific research project of their choice. Over the summer months, students conduct their research projects with funding we provide. In the fall, everyone shares their results through an in-person research symposium and the creation of a science communication piece. Along the way, we have scientists join our meetings so we can ask questions and learn from their experiences.

Our Goal

Our goal is to provide a free opportunity for North Carolina‘s high school students to get real life experience doing science in nature.

By the end of the year, our participants have seen what real field science conducted in nature is like and have a better understanding of what it takes to conduct field research in the modern age. If you choose to pursue science as a career, we are confident you are headed into college with your eyes open and skills in hand that will help fast-track you into the best opportunities. And if you don’t pursue science as a career, you still walk away with a great understanding of how science is done that you can take with you into your adult life.

Joining NCYSS

We encourage North Carolina’s 9-11th grade students of any background and interest in science to join NCYSS. We celebrate and encourage scientific curiosity and give you a chance to research a field-based, natural history-focused topic of your choice. This is not just for students who already know they want to pursue a career in science – it’s for anyone who wants to try something new, explore field-based science, and is curious about the natural world!

Learn more about how the program works, then consider applying for the next cohort! Applications for the 2026 cohort are due December 31, 2025.