High School Research Initiative
The University of Texas High School Research Initiative (HRI) is a scientific inquiry program supported by the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) at the NIH. We are focused on training teachers in rural high schools across Texas to successfully lead independent research experiences for high school students, infuse inquiry into existing curriculum, and use innovative resources to support inquiry in the classroom.
HRI provides training, resources, and undergraduate mentors to facilitate flexible modular experiences in the health sciences for high school classrooms.
Our curated HRI modules fit best within Career & Technical Education (CTE) health science classes, life sciences, and the scientific research and design course.
What is included in the HRI?
We provide teachers and educators:
- access and training for seven unique inquiry modules (one to five weeks).
- virtual office hours with research faculty members and undergraduate mentors.
- virtual 3-4 week summer professional development training to assist with teaching the modules.
HRI Summer Professional Training
Our professional development workshop offers a practical approach to incorporating project-based inquiry experiences into your STEM class.
Participants will:
- receive first-hand experience to the inquiry-based approach with instructor guidance.
- explore topics such as experimental design, lab safety, scientific writing, frequentist statistics, and more led by UTeach Master Teacher Deanna Buckley, Ph.D.
- learn about modules (created by UT research faculty) to implement into their course(s).
- receive a stipend of up to $1500 for participating in the program.
Learn More:
Check out our Fast Facts
Interested in participating? Apply Here!
Learn More About the HRI Modules
Caffeinated Coli Module
Caffeinated E. coli by Dr. Dennis Mishler
Students analyze bacterial growth patterns using a genetically engineered strain of E. coli that requires caffeine for growth. By measuring growth curves and comparing experimental conditions, students quantify caffeine concentrations in beverages of their choosing.
Learn more about this module:
DIY Apps
DIY Apps by Dr. Timothy Riedel
Students design and build interactive web apps while learning foundational coding concepts. As they progress, students develop their own health-based diagnostic tool using decision-making algorithms and image analysis. Along the way, students apply computational thinking, analyze data, collaborate through peer review, and use version-control tools like GitHub to engage in authentic practices used by software developers and data scientists.
Learn more about this module:
Habitat Scouts
Habitat Scouts by Dr. Stuart Reichler
Students investigate ecosystems by surveying land, identifying wildlife, and measuring soil health. By burying cotton underpants and analyzing their decomposition, they evaluate microbial activity and explore how environmental factors influence soil health.
Learn more about this module:
Fish Behavior Module
Fish Behavior by Dr. Mary Ramsey
Students observe fish behavior and investigate how fish respond to different environmental stimuli. They form hypotheses, design experiments, and analyze behavioral patterns to better understand animal social interactions.
Learn more about this module:
Purple Protein (Biobricks)
Purple Protein by Dr. Soo-Hyun Yang
Students investigate how genes control protein production using molecular biology techniques. During the module students will transform E. coli with DNA that produces a purple protein and design experiments to determine the conditions that maximize protein expression. Students collect and analyze data, interpret results, and apply core laboratory skills such as sterile technique and micropipetting while engaging in authentic scientific practices used by molecular biologists.
Learn more about this module:
TEKS (coming soon)
Timeline (coming soon)
Virtual Drug Screening Module
Virtual Drug Screening by Dr. Josh Beckham
Students use molecular docking software to model how small molecules interact with proteins involved in pathogen virulence. Through computational simulations, students analyze how potential drug compounds bind to target proteins, gaining insight into the early stages of drug discovery. Students also conduct wet lab investigations related to antibiotic resistance, integrating computational biology and medicinal chemistry to better understand how new therapies are developed.
Learn more about this module:
Fly Behavior Module (module retired)
Fly Behavior by Dr. Thilini Wijesekera (retired in year 4)
Students investigate learning and memory in fruit flies by exposing them to different stimuli and deterrents. Through experimentation, they investigate how quickly flies learn and how long they remember certain behaviors.
Learn more about this module:
Quick & Low Cost Statistics Activities For the Classroom
T-Test Activity
Participating Districts 2024-2025
Austin ISD
Central Heights ISD
Collegiate High School
CYGA Academy
Leander ISD
Lockhart ISD (rural)
May ISD (rural)
Renaissance Academy
St. Dominic Catholic High School
St. John's School
St. Michael's Catholic Preparatory School
What Participants Are Saying
"As a teacher is I want to develop more of a self perception in my students that they can be a scientist and that science is for everyone. And this HRI module really helps me accomplish that, because they can talk to…actual scientists who are currently working in a lab, and then they can do like an experiment that's very similar to what they're doing." - Participating Teacher
"The most memorable parts was definitely getting advice from the students [undergraduate mentors]. I also enjoyed the lab and how in depth it was." - High School Student
HRI Program Administrators
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Dr. Deanna Buckley
Professor of Practice
Co-Investigator HRI
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Bailey Williams, M.Ed.
Program Coordinator, HRI