School of STEM Summer Research

Put Your Wonder to Work

Each summer, ��Ƶ’s School of STEM offers nearly 100 students an immersive, hands-on research opportunity alongside expert faculty mentors.

From exploring environmental sustainability to designing clean water systems for rural communities and collecting micrometeorites (a.k.a. space dust), our student researchers contribute to meaningful scientific inquiry. You'll build skills that prepare you for graduate school, industry careers, and lifelong learning.

~100

student researchers participate in roughly 40 different projects.

8–10 weeks

of full-time research, with a paid stipend.

100%

of projects are fully funded.

You’re not just showing up, doing the work, and leaving. We’re very involved in the scientific process—it’s a perk of being at a small school.

Myles Radersma '26

Biology

Student Research Leads to a Major Discovery

A Calvin student and professor work on tick research in the field.

Student Experience

Community: Share lab spaces, take part in a collaborative culture, and build connections through fun activities.
Mentorship: Partner with faculty mentors and work together daily.
Presentation Experience: Share your findings with fellow scientists and the Calvin community at the STEM Summer Research Poster Fair.
Career Impact: Build your resume, prepare for grad school, and maybe even have your research published!

A STEM student presents her research poster titled, Chemistry and Public Policy: Equipping Advocates.

Students sit around a table doing research together, surrounded by green plants.

Summer Research Project Highlights

Take a look at some recent or ongoing summer research projects. Picture yourself collecting data, running experiments, and making a real-world impact, all while building skills to launch your future in STEM!

Stay tuned for a list of Summer 2026 projects.

Public Health Assessment in the Guatemalan Cloud Forest

Students travel to Guatemala to conduct health surveys and science experiments, supporting efforts to alleviate poverty and protect forests. Includes data collection, analysis, and community engagement.

Unraveling Protein Transport and Sorting in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Students investigate protein trafficking in cells, collaborating with a physical modeling lab in California. Involves hypothesis generation, experimental design, and data analysis, with opportunities to present at research symposia.

Flat Iron Lake Coring Project

Students study lake sediments to reconstruct climate and landscape history since the last ice age, using fieldwork, microscopy, and GIS. Includes planning, data analysis, and scientific poster presentations.

Extreme Wind Research: Aerodynamics, Damage Mapping, and AI-tool Development

NSF-funded project in cloud computing for natural hazards. Students work on aerodynamics, wind hazard research, and AI-based damage mapping, using Python, GIS, and machine learning. Collaboration with national and international researchers.

Novel Synthetic Routes to Monomers and Functionalized Polymers

Students develop environmentally friendly methods for synthesizing acrylic monomers and polymers, with applications in 3D printing, coatings, and advanced materials. Hands-on lab work and use of advanced analytical equipment.

One Health Surveillance of Blacklegged Ticks and Emerging Pathogens

Students will conduct environmental and molecular surveillance for Powassan virus in West Michigan ticks, collaborating with Michigan State University and Yale School of Public Health. The project addresses emerging infectious diseases and provides experience in fieldwork, molecular biology, and data analysis.

The professors are so intentional about connecting with you as an individual, as a person, and that grows during the research. You are working alongside your professor, not under them.

Aerin Baker '26

Chemistry, 2025 Goldwater Scholar

Trio of Calvin students earn nation’s most prestigious STEM research award