Hands-on education for high school students in biomedical research

Hands-on Education and Research for Biomedical and Analytical Learning (HERBAL)

NIH-funded research University of Rhode Island · NIH-10880666

This study is all about making science more exciting for high school students by giving them the chance to work on real research projects in medicine, with help from college students, so they can explore and learn about the world of plants and chemistry in a fun way.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Rhode Island NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Kingston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10880666 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research initiative focuses on enhancing STEM education for high school students by providing hands-on experiences in biomedical and analytical learning. It aims to engage students in authentic scientific research, particularly in medicinal chemistry, by allowing them to create a plant extract library from specimens. The program will involve upper-division undergraduate students as mentors, fostering a collaborative learning environment that encourages curiosity and innovation. By bridging high school education with real-world scientific practices, this initiative seeks to inspire the next generation of researchers.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are high school students in grades 9-12 who are interested in science and technology.

Not a fit: Students who are not enrolled in high school or those who do not have an interest in STEM fields may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve STEM literacy and inspire high school students to pursue careers in biomedical sciences.

How similar studies have performed: Similar educational initiatives have shown success in enhancing student engagement and interest in STEM fields, making this approach promising.

Where this research is happening

Kingston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.