Articles

Guides and explainers

Topic guides give the full picture. In-depth guides and explainers answer specific questions. Every article is sourced and dated.

Topic

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Where undergraduate research opportunities come from, how to find a lab or program that fits your goals, and how to prepare a strong application.

In-depth guide
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): How the Programs Work and How to Apply
How Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs work, who is typically eligible, how to search for sites and how to apply well.
In-depth guide
Summer Research Programs: How to Compare Options and Apply
How to find summer research programs, compare stipends, housing and mentoring, and plan applications so you meet each official deadline.
In-depth guide
Field Research Experiences: What to Expect and How to Prepare
What field research experiences involve, the skills and safety preparation they require, and how students can find field opportunities that fit.
In-depth guide
International Research Experiences: Eligibility, Funding and Planning
How international research experiences work for US-based students, how eligibility and funding vary by program, and how to plan safely ahead.
Explainer
How to Write an REU Personal Statement
How to write an REU personal statement that shows research interest, readiness and fit, with a clear structure and the common mistakes to avoid.
Explainer
How to Email a Professor About Research Opportunities
How to email a professor about research: what to read first, how to keep the message short and specific, and when and how to follow up politely.

Topic

How STEM internships work, where to look for them, how to judge an offer and what to prepare before you apply, for students at every level.

Explainer
How to Get a STEM Internship With No Experience
Practical steps to land a first STEM internship with no experience: build relevant skills, find entry-level programs and present your potential.
Explainer
How to Write a STEM Internship Resume
How to write a STEM internship resume that highlights projects, coursework and technical skills, with a section-by-section template to adapt.

Topic

What graduate teaching assistantships involve, how stipends and tuition support typically work, and how to find and apply for a TA position.

Explainer
Teaching vs Research Assistantships: Key Differences
How teaching and research assistantships differ in duties, time demands, funding and career value, and how to decide which suits your goals.
Explainer
Teaching Assistantship Interview Questions and How to Prepare
Common teaching assistantship interview questions, what interviewers are looking for, and how to prepare answers that show teaching potential.

Topic

How mentoring and mentorship support study and research, the different roles a mentor can play, and how to build a relationship that works.

In-depth guide
Hands-On Learning and Mentorship: Learning by Doing With Support
Why hands-on learning works best with mentorship, how to structure projects with guidance and feedback, and examples for students and educators.
Explainer
How to Find a Research Mentor
How to find a research mentor: identify the right people, judge fit and lab culture, make a respectful first approach and agree on expectations.
Explainer
Setting Mentorship Goals: A Practical Framework
How to set mentorship goals that are specific and realistic, with example goals for students and researchers and a simple way to review progress.

Topic

The skills entrepreneurship training covers, the formats available to students and researchers, and how to turn an early idea into a tested plan.

Explainer
Entrepreneurship for STEM Students: Where to Begin
Where STEM students can begin with entrepreneurship: campus resources, skills that transfer from research, and how to test an idea early.
Explainer
Customer Discovery for Students: Testing an Idea Before You Build
A student guide to customer discovery: who to interview, which questions to ask, how to avoid leading answers and what to do with what you learn.

Topic

Practical guidance for parents and educators on mentoring kids through STEM: setting expectations, choosing activities and keeping curiosity alive.

Explainer
STEM Mentoring Activities by Age Group
Age-appropriate STEM mentoring activities for kids, with simple materials, clear safety notes and questions that turn each activity into learning.
Explainer
STEM Mentoring Programs for Kids: How to Evaluate Them
How parents and educators can evaluate STEM mentoring programs for kids: safeguarding, mentor training, structure, cost and real learning outcomes.

Topic

How scholarships and fellowships differ, who typically funds them, how eligibility works and how to build a realistic plan for applying.

In-depth guide
Chevening Fellowships: Eligibility, Application and What to Expect
An independent guide to UK Chevening Fellowships: who is eligible, how the application works and what to confirm on the official Chevening site.
Explainer
Scholarship vs Fellowship vs Assistantship: What's the Difference?
The differences between a scholarship, a fellowship and an assistantship: who funds each, what is expected in return and how they can combine.
Explainer
Research Funding Application Checklist
A step-by-step research funding application checklist covering eligibility, documents, references, budgets and final checks before you submit.