Part of CHOP's mission is to fill the registry of future healthcare workers with young people who reflect our diverse community and patient population. We have numerous programs that give youth from grade school through college opportunities to learn about the many roles across the institution — in patient care, administration, research and beyond.

Our robust internship programs, in particular, provide hands-on experience that can transform a student's career aspirations and prepare them for a job across the spectrum of healthcare. Learn More

College students who land a spot in the Injury Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) 10-week summer research internship program are mentored by CHOP scientists and engineers from the Center for Injury Research and Prevention. This opportunity, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is for students underrepresented in science and engineering. It provides a realistic experience of how research works and the impact research can have on improving children's lives.

The nine REU interns for 2023 came from colleges that spanned the United States.

Summer 2023 REU research topics included:

• Biomechanical Responses during Pre-Crash Maneuvers and Autonomous Driving Scenarios
• Understanding Eye-Glance Behaviors Among Young Drivers
• Analysis of Pediatric Occupant Kinematics and Kinetics in Motor Vehicle Crashes
• Social Equity and Spatial Effects on Safe Mobility
• Developing 3D-Printed Anthropomorphic Models to Improve Clinical Training
• Examining Learning to Drive, Risky Driving Behavior, and Crashes in Young Drivers
• Human Subject Study with Parents and Teens to Study Effectiveness of Driver Safety App
• Optimizing Concussion Care for Children and Adolescents
• Cognitive and Circuit Impairments Induced by Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

• Office of Academic Training and Outreach Programs (ATOP)
• CHOP Research Institute Summer Scholars Program
• CHOP RISES
• Advancing Representation in Research Administration (ARRA) Program
• Injury Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates
• Career Path
• Cristo Rey
• West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
• Partnership with LUCY Outreach to provide healthcare job acquisition skills
• Franklin Learning Center partnership
• Neurology High School Scholars Program
• FirstHand / Franklin Institute STEM Scholars youth technology programs
• Pediatric Immersion Experience (PIE) nursing program
• Nursing summer externships