Pathways to Science

Yale Pathways to Science Ever think about how stars are born, wonder why dinosaurs had feathers, or ask yourself if nanotechnology will change our lives the way computers have? If you are curious about the world around us and want to learn how world-class scientists make discoveries and generate new knowledge, then Pathways to Science is right for you!

With an overarching goal to encourage and support promising young scholars to pursue careers in the sciences, Pathways opens the door for middle and high school students to explore science at Yale University. Whether the student is creative or logical, methodical or messy, observant or intuitive, Yale Pathways will help him or her explore the sciences and take their skills to the next level.

Throughout the year students are invited to programs, demonstrations, lectures, and laboratory visits on Yale University’s campus to learn about cutting-edge advances in science from respected professors. Students can choose which opportunities interest them the most. In the past, students have viewed the cosmos at Yale’s state-of-the-art planetarium, launched rockets, built telescopes, and examined brain specimens with Yale neuroscientists.

Yale Pathways to Science is free of charge. Once accepted, students can participate in programs through high school graduation. Inspiring the next generation of scientists is important to us, and we consider Pathways students as the youngest members of Yale's community of scientists.

Eligibility and application information

New Haven & West Haven middle and high school students are invited to apply when nominated by their math or science teacher. Please email maria.parente@yale.edu for more information.

Pathways to Science Event Photos

What Students Are Saying About Yale Science Outreach Programs

"Being a part of the EVOLUTIONS After School Program has enabled me to do a ton of things that you normally wouldn't do in a regular high school setting. With this program they really help you find out who you are as person and what your really capable of doing. And that's something I believe everyone should experience before they head into a world that is bigger than what they imagine to be."

New Haven Student

Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School

What Students Are Saying About Yale Science Outreach Programs

"The EVOLUTIONS Program was the greatest help with my college career. My greatest experience with the program was getting an internship in a Yale lab. It was an enjoyable experience that taught me skills and work ethics that I will take with me for the rest of my life. Few people even get the opportunity and I was glad to be one of them."

New Haven High School Student

Sound School

What Students Are Saying About Yale Science Outreach Programs

"Being involved in internships through the Yale Peabody Museum EVOLUTIONS Program has been a privilege and the highlight of my high school education."

New Haven Student

Hill Regional Career High School

Why is Science Important?

“Science is more than just the hard subject at school that preoccupied the smart kids. It is a way of thinking about our world that can lead to changing it for the better.”

Jim Al-Khalili

Professor of Theoretical Physics and Chair in the Public Engagement in Science at the University of Surrey

Why Science is Important?

“Science is important because it satisfies our curiosity about the world we live in. Amazing new technologies often result from science, but that shouldn’t be why we do science. We do science for the same reason Columbus set sail in search of new lands, for the same reason Tenzing and Hillary climbed to the top of Everest: curiosity”

Jacob Aron

Mathematician and Science Writer

Why is Science Important?

“Scientists pursue questions of how things work that range from the sub-atomic particle zipping through my coffee cup, to the metaphysics of baboons to the origin of ice-covered mountain ranges. Often the motivation is curiosity but the net result is expanding our collective knowledge and understanding. This process based knowledge and understanding is crucial to the long-term survival of our species as a society.”

Robin Bell

Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Why is Science Important?

“Truth is better than illusion, and science has found ways to find out how the universe works, how we can interact with it, and what is likely to happen next.”

Dr. Susan Blackmore

Freelance writer, Lecturer and Broadcaster,

Why is Science Important?

“Science is important because, just as much as literature, or art, or music, it teaches us to be human. It’s part of us, part of who we are.”

Richard P. Grant

Molecular Cell Biochemist

Why is Science Important?

“Without science, we’re as lost and scared as a Homo Erectus in a thunderstorm.”

Mark Lewney

Musician and Science Presenter

Why is Science Important?

“Science is a window to the future of humanity.”

Andy Miah

University of the West of Scotland

Why is Science Important?

“Science is a powerful expression of two of the defining qualities of humans - creativity and curiosity; especially when creativity and curiosity are used to explore, and try to make sense of, our place in the universe.”

Ray Mathias

Why is Science Important?

“While what IS (truth) will not lead us to find any better what OUGHT we do (choices), yet what IS will definitely guide not only what needs to be done, but also how to realistically achieve it. Thus, the importance of Science in leading us to Truth.”

Sandeep Gautam

Why is Science Important?

“Since knowledge leads to power, science also allows us to shape and influence our environment, and as such is at the root of todays global society”

Jon Butterworth

Professor of Physics at University College London

Why is Science Important?

“Science is not enough on its own, it also requires a large measure of creativity. Add ingenuity and you are in the realm of engineering.”

David M. Howard

Why is Science Important?

“Science is about much more that facts, figures, laws and equations. It’s a unique and powerful way of looking at the world we live in; one that helps us find real answers and tries to ensure that we are not fooling ourselves. It’s about values like respect for good evidence, over opinion or anecdote; it’s a state of mind that makes you criticize your own ideas - test them in a way that you think might break them. It’s about respecting the answers that nature gives to questions carefully asked.”

Adrian Gaylard

What Students are Saying about Yale Science Outreach Programs:

"I liked all of the Pathways to Science events, but the one that stands out the most was Pathways to Engineering. It was cool to see the engineering department at Yale and to see the demonstrations. I want to be an engineer, so being able to talk to Yale engineers about their work was amazing. Seeing their labs and how they work was also great. I had never been in a real lab before. I learned a lot about nanotechnology and some possible careers, too."

New Haven Student

Barnard Environmental Studies School

What Students are Saying about Yale Science Outreach Programs:

"Pathways to Science has enhanced my interests in the sciences and has helped me to understand science in a way school hasn’t. I always learn something new when I go to a Pathways event."

New Haven Student

Mauro-Sheridan Science, Technology, & Communications School

What Students are Saying about Yale Science Outreach Programs:

"Pathways to Science has taught me firsthand how scientists work. I had never really known what it was like to be a scientist. "

New Haven Student

Mauro-Sheridan Science, Technology, & Communications School

What Students are Saying about Yale Science Outreach Programs:

"Pathways to Science has helped me learn more about the field I want to pursue, neurology, and about scientific topics that interest me. It has also provided me my first glimpse of botany."

New Haven Student

Hill Regional Career High School

What Students are Saying about Yale Science Outreach Programs:

"Getting Chemistry lessons in SCHOLAR last year was a HUGE advantage for my junior year. I'm glad I got that preparation.”

New Haven Student

Hill Regional Career High School

What Students are Saying about Yale Science Outreach Programs:

"SCHOLAR has made me feel more confident about myself when speaking and performing publicly. It has also made me more eager to face challenges in school and in life.”

New Haven Student

Hill Regional Career High School

What Students are Saying about Yale Science Outreach Programs:

"I've connected to a bunch of adults during the SCHOLAR program. They've showed me that you're always good in something, even when you don't think you are. If you put your mind to it, you'll achieve it."

New Haven Student

Hill Regional Career High School

What Students are Saying about Yale Science Outreach Programs:

"After participating in SCHOLAR, I feel more confident and comfortable in my own skin and I feel like I get along better with people now. It influenced my educational views because now I feel like I have a duty to myself to try harder in school. For my future, I want to try even harder to achieve my dreams to pursue a science career."

New Haven Student

Hill Regional Career High School

What Students are Saying about Yale Science Outreach Programs:

"I like many of the Pathways to Science Events! The Peabody Museum was really interesting. I really loved that we got to go where normal tours can't go and look at dinosaur bones and birds too. I think it's amazing that we got to learn history through them."

New Haven Student

James Hillhouse High School

What Students are Saying about Yale Science Outreach:

"I like attending many Pathways to Science Events. The Planetarium/Observatory was great! I really love learning about how our solar system was created and all the different types of stars and constellations we have. The best part was watching the movie inside. I felt like I was really going through space. It blew my mind!"

New Haven Student

Wilbur Cross High School

What Students are Saying about Yale Science Outreach Programs:

"I really liked SCHOLAR because people from different fields of science came in and spoke about what they have done to contribute to the huge spectrum of sciences, medicine, health, etc. My favorite speaker was Professor Marvin Chun. His presentation of psychology was engaging, interesting, and kept my focus the whole entire time. He got the audience involved just as he explained findings and observations in people. I'm considering several of the topics as my future career...”

New Haven Student

Hill Regional Career High School

Pathways to Science

Pathways to Science Event Photos

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