Research Laboratories
Since its very first class in 1985, student research has played an essential role in learning. Thomas Jefferson diploma graduation requirements include the completion of an original engineering or experimental research project in an on-campus laboratory or offsite at a mentorship in a government, corporate or academic research laboratory.
Exploring, discovering and innovating
Today, the tools of science are ever-changing.
The Jefferson Partnership Fund is committed to “removing the ceiling” for student research excellence at Thomas Jefferson through strategic partnerships that result in meaningful gifts of human capital, in-kind donations of equipment and products, and financial support that enables the acquisition of real world tools for real-world problem-solving in our classrooms and laboratories.
On-Campus Laboratories
Thomas Jefferson offers academic research opportunities in thirteen Science and Technology Research Laboratories:
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Automation and Robotics
- Biotechnology and Life Sciences
- Chemical Analysis
- Communication Systems
- Computer Assisted Design
- Computer Systems
- Emerging Technologies
- Microelectronics
- Neuroscience Research
- Oceanography and Geophysical Systems
- Optics and Modern Physics
- Prototyping and Material Sciences
See the research lab brochure.
Jefferson Research Partnerships
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is a learning community of extraordinary interactions and dialogue. On its campus, students, faculty, mentors, and their ideas all come together in exciting ways—creating new synergies and envisioning new solutions that foster both intellectual growth and research excellence.
Advancing research requires additional resources—to continue the excellent work underway, to re-tool Jefferson's labs to broaden their offerings, and to secure Jefferson's prominence as our nation's top academic high school. Corporate support for this priority advances Jefferson's 21st century mission and helps to raise the ceiling for national standards in mathematics, science and technology secondary education.
Overall Program Goals
- Advance the ongoing evolution of “best practices” in mathematics, science and technology curriculum, and Jefferson’s dedication to developing, evaluating and sharing innovative ideas regionally, nationally and internationally;
- Enrich classroom and laboratory instruction, and mentorship;
- Innovate individual student and overall laboratory research initiatives;
- Broaden student opportunities for “real-world” interface with industry on new and emerging technologies;
- Assure availability and student access to state of the art equipment and material.
Investing in Innovative Student Research: Corporate partnerships that provide financial, equipment, human capital and mentorship support for exploration, discovery and innovation in “real-world” problem solving in four major research areas:
- Information & Computational Sciences - Research studies in the areas of: Artificial Intelligence, Audio Technology, Bioinformatics, Biometrics, Electronics, Information Technology, Nanotechnology, Prototyping, Robotics, Satellite Design, and Wireless Communications.
- Healthcare & Life Sciences’ Research studies in the areas of: Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Biometrics, Botany, Environment, Forensics, Genetics, Imaging, Medicine, Nanotechnology, Neurosciences, Oceanography, and Pharmacology;
- Material & Engineering Sciences - Research studies in the areas of: Alternative Energy Systems, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Imaging, Lithography, Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Prototyping, and Robotics.
- Physical & Chemical Sciences - Research studies in the areas of: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Chemistry, Forensics, Geology, Geophysics, Imaging, Nanotechnology, Oceanography, Optics, and Plasma and Laser Physics;
Investing in Outstanding Research Laboratories: Corporate partnerships may also provide financial, equipment, human capital and mentorship support that directly advances one or more of Jefferson's twelve Science and Technology Research Laboratories.