SoTS Princeton Research Labs

SoTS Princeton Labs is our flagship immersive research program. Students can join in person in central Princeton, NJ or online via Zoom from anywhere. Weekly meetings with direct mentorship from experienced research educators.

This is not a class. No lectures. Students work on real problems with support: identifying questions, designing approaches, collecting data, analyzing results, and presenting findings.

Many projects require experimental work, equipment, or fieldwork. Students and families identify resources at their school, purchase materials (eBay, hardware stores), or find opportunities in nature around them.

When your child joins a SoTS Lab, they're not getting yesterday's teaching methods. They're participating in educational approaches that are shaping the future of how research skills are taught worldwide.

• Weekly meetings: 1 to 1.5 hours. In person in central Princeton or online via Zoom, depending on format. Weekly accountability and honest feedback (no grade inflation).
• Groups: Up to 5 members in person, up to 6 online. Groups may differ by age, grade level, or sophistication level.
• Projects: Format varies by lab. Bring your own ideas or join projects formulated by peers. See individual lab pages for details.
• Between meetings: Students do the actual work: research, experiments, coding, writing, analysis. The AI Research Mentor is available 24/7 to help you come to meetings prepared (requires membership).
• Presentation practice: Regular opportunities to present your work and receive feedback. Essential for conferences, future research, and self-assessment.
• SoTS ecosystem: Documented research for your portfolio, publication and conference opportunities.

Students who enroll for a full semester and complete it receive a physical Certificate of Research Training. It states that the student received training in authentic research, conducted an original project, and completed a semester-long program in the lab.

Certificates may include a QR code linking to the student's Research Profile (if the student chooses so). The certificate is signed by the lab director(s) and the Academic Director of SoTS.

No labs available at this time.

SoTS Research Labs is a space for students who are curious, active, and engaged. Students should demonstrate progress and commitment. Nobody will force or convince students to do anything.

Students may join with extensive experience or none at all. What matters is committed work and growth.

• Active SoTS Membership (required for online, recommended for in person)
• Ability to attend weekly meetings (in person or online)
• Experience/skills matching lab prerequisites (most labs accept students with no prior research experience)
• Show up prepared
• Do the work between sessions
• Learn independently when directed to resources
• Contribute to peer discussions
• Follow through on commitments

• Not accepted to any lab (no space, prerequisites not met): full refund
• Voluntary disenrollment: no refund
• Disenrolled for lack of commitment or conduct issues: no refund. Parents will be contacted to discuss the situation before disenrollment action is taken. Please note that we cannot afford to have disengaged students affecting other members of the group.

Check each lab page for available formats (in person, online). Space is limited.

Gift certificates available.
Looking for a meaningful gift? Select "Yes" for gift certificate option in the enrollment form.