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Start Your Research Journey with Nexellence
Join the 2025 Nexellence cohort—where motivated middle and high schoolers learn real research and data science skills taught by esteemed college faculty.
Our 10-week courses combine research methods and coding in one engaging weekly session. Students earn certificates, faculty endorsements, and opportunities to publish and present their work, powerful assets for private school and college applications.
This fall, our courses will be offered in three formats:
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Evanston/Chicago (In-Person)
Offered in partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development. Please visit the CTD website for schedule and registration details. -
Northern Virginia (In-Person)
Local in-person sessions available. Register coming soon. -
Virtual (Online)
Live, instructor-led virtual sessions. Register coming soon.
2025 Fall Courses
(Sep 6, 2025 – Dec 6, 2025)
Foundation Track
(7th–8th Grade)
Signals academic enrichment beyond grade level & establishes early research potential.
Empirical Inquiry: Foundations of Research Method
Students build essential research literacy by exploring how questions are transformed into structured investigations using evidence & logic.
Computational Thinking: Intro to R, Python, & Data Logic
This course introduces students to programming fundamentals and data-driven reasoning through hands-on coding projects using R and Python.
Recognition
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Certificate of Distinction
in Foundational Research & Computational Reasoning - Digital Badge - ResearchCORE Junior Scholar: “Emerging Scholar in Research & Computational Thinking”
- Verified Academic Skills Transcript Includes mastery indicators in logic, data literacy, and scientific thinking, suitable for submission to competitive private middle/high schools.
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Personalized Evaluation Report by Nexellence Faculty outlining skills acquired, ideal for inclusion in middle school portfolios or private school applications
Scholars Track
(9th–10th Grade)
Adds serious academic weight to college prep portfolios & demonstrates discipline-specific training.
Experimental Design & Empirical Research Methods
Students learn to construct testable hypotheses, design experiments, and apply mixed-method approaches to analyze real-world problems.
Computational Modeling & Applied Data Structures
This course deepens coding fluency while introducing students to modeling, data structures, and quantitative analysis for research applications.
Recognition
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Academic Honors Certificate
in Applied Research & Data Analytics-ResearchCORE Scholar - Digital Badge - ResearchCORE Scholar: Verifiable digital badge that includes links to evaluated work or capstone summary.
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Transcript - Ready Evaluation
with feedback on research design, coding proficiency, and project-based performance. -
Invitation to Apply Nexellence Honors Colloquium: Nexellence Research Scholar Network or external student research competitions.
Leadership Track
(11th–12th Grade)
Elevates student to a national-caliber research profile & creates evidence of scholarly impact prior to college.
Advanced Research: Causal Inference Method & Capstone
Students engage in advanced statistical reasoning and causal analysis, culminating in an independent capstone aligned with pre-college research standards.
Machine Learning for Research: Algorithms, AI, & Insight Generation
This course trains students to apply machine learning and AI techniques to generate insights from complex datasets in STEM and policy research domains.
Recognition
- Honors Certificate: “Distinction in Independent Research and Computational Methods”
- Digital Badge - ResearchCORE Fellow: Elite digital credential suitable for inclusion in LinkedIn, Common App, and digital portfolios.
- Published Abstract or Working Paper Submission: Student submits capstone project for publication or presentation via the Nexellence Youth Research Journal or partnered academic platforms.
- Letter of Recommendation from faculty mentor detailing capstone rigor and originality
- Invitation to Present at the Nexellence Global Research Symposium: Select students receive public presentation opportunities and awards for excellence in inquiry, impact, and innovation.
Capstone Research Track
(Open to all eligible students. Application and interview required)
Designed for students who are ready to move from advanced coursework to producing original and independent research with real-world relevance and academic potential.
Mentored Research Project: From Proposal to Publication
Students develop and execute an original research project in a self-selected field—guided by expert 1:1 or small-group coaching. Focus areas may include STEM, economics, data science, policy, or interdisciplinary fields. The final product meets college publication and portfolio standards.
Capstone Studio: Portfolio, Publishing, and Presentation Readiness
A dedicated capstone support module designed to help students prepare polished academic deliverables:
- • Research proposal refinement
- • Drafting & revising for publication
- • Visualization and storytelling with data
- • Peer and mentor feedback loops
- • Presentation coaching and journal/conference/competition submission preparation
Recognition
- Capstone Honors Certificate: “Excellence in Independent Research and Scholarly Contribution”
- Digital Badge – Nexellence Scholar: Recognizes original contribution and readiness for selective undergraduate research pathways; suitable for LinkedIn, Common App, and resume portfolios.
- Formal Capstone Submission: Students submit a final research paper or policy brief to Academic Journal, student publication platforms, or partner academic outlets.
- Mentor Letter of Endorsement: A special recommendation letter from the capstone advisor highlighting the project's rigor, creativity, and real-world relevance.
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Showcase Invitation – Nexellence Global Research Symposium: Select students will be invited to present their work to a public audience and may be recognized for impact, innovation, and scholarly promise.
Give Your Child a Thinking Space,
Not Just Another Class
Thanks to Our Sponsor
This opportunity is made possible by the generous sponsorship of Dr. Michelle Yin and the RISEI Lab at Northwestern University.
Event Info
📅 Dates: June 14-15, 2025
🕘 Session Times: 9:00AM–12:00PM or 2:00PM–5:00PM
📍 Location: Northern Virginia
🎯 Who: Students entering grades 8–12
💰 Cost: $0 (Sponsored, application required)
📋 Note: Students will complete a short survey to support educational research. All data is anonymous.
Questions? Contact us at info@nexellence.org
