FRI Outreach

Shadow A Scientist

Summer Program for Middle School Students

Shadow A Scientist

Our program pairs 2-4 middle school students with an FRI Research Stream for a unique two-hour tour of a real scientific laboratory. 

Students will:

  • Meet UT Student & Faculty Scientist. Ask questions, chat about their work, and discover what drives their passion.
  • Get hands-on. Participate in engaging activities designed to bring scientific concepts to life.
  • Witness real experiments. See the exciting world of research in action!

This experience allows young minds to:

  • Explore their interest in science. Students will see first-hand discoveries in progress to spark their curiosity.
  • Experience science firsthand: See, touch, and interact with science in a real-world setting.
  • Uncover the daily life of a scientist: From asking questions to conducting experiments, they'll learn what it truly means to be a scientist.

Summer 2024


Wednesdays: June 12, 26 | July 3, 10, 17

Register For Shadow A Scientist

Program Information


REGISTRATION

Middle School students interested in spending two hours “shadowing” a UT scientist one day this summer should complete registration and submit the forms using the registration link.

  • Sign up for ALL WEDNESDAYS that YOU are available.
  • You will then BE MATCHED with a scientist on ONE WEDNESDAY this summer depending on the availability of the participating scientists. 

Register For Shadow A Scientist

ON SHADOWING DAY

On the Wednesday afternoon that your middle school student will shadow a UT scientist:

  • Attire. Your student MUST wear long pants and closed-toed shoes.
  • Drop Off & Pick Up.  
    • Drop off your middle school student between 1:50 and 2:00 pm at 24th Street and Whitis (Whitis is one block east of Guadalupe on 24th Street). 
    • Pick up between 3:50 and 4:00 pm. The shadow coordinator and student escorts will be waiting at the Barbara Jordan statue located on the southwest corner of 24th and Whitis.
CONTACT

Shadow-A-Scientist Co-Directors

Dr. Soo Hyun Yang 

shyang@utexas.edu

Dr. Wenrui “Ray” Chai 

chaiwenrui@utexas.edu