MEDscienceLAB

School Break Program

MEDscienceLAB offers students interested in biotech, biology, or medicine inspiring, immersive, hands-on lab and clinical experience that tie the essential role of research to clinical medicine. Students learn what happens when tests ‘go to the lab’ and how research labs work to solve medical cases.

Join our School Break MEDscienceLAB Program and learn in our state-of-the-art medical simulation labs and research lab at Harvard Medical School. Get a glimpse into a different perspective on medicine and discover a new world in the lab.

Program Highlights

Learn alongside healthcare and research professionals. Meet experts in their fields during MEDchats and explore careers in research, public health, and biomedical science. Be inspired!
Experience the real-life excitement of emergency room care in our high-tech simulation lab, treating STAN, our life-like interactive patient. Perform experiments with real patient samples and learn how lab tests are vital to STAN’s medical care. Work in teams of 3 with fellow lab researchers to analyze tests, diagnose and treat diseases in our Harvard Medical School lab.
Receive instruction in DNA Extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and ELISA – the lab skills required for immediate employment in clinical research.
Future thinkers will learn to think outside of the box, with no limits, to think like scientists. Practice critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills that will help you prepare for college, work, and life!

“I loved this program so much and it really helped me get out of my shell and have a little bit less anxiety and more confidence about this field and about my opinions.”

— Student

At a glance

Program Duration
February School Break
February 16-19, 2027
4-day session — Tuesday–Friday
March School Break
Session 1: March 8-11, 2027
4-day session — Monday–Thursday

Session 2: March 15-19, 2027
5-day session — Monday–Friday

Session 3: March 22-25, 2027
4-day session — Monday–Thursday
April School Break
April 20-23, 2027
4-day session — Tuesday–Friday

Daily hours: 9:00-3:30 ET
Please arrive at 8:30 on the first day.
Your final day ends at 2:00.

Location
The MEDscienceLAB program meets at Harvard Medical School, 210 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

Program Fees
2027 5-day week MEDscienceLAB program fee is $2800
2027 4-day week MEDscienceLAB program fee is $2250
Fee includes scrubs and all program materials
Fee includes snacks and lunch

HMS MEDscience provides a limited number of scholarships to Boston area students. The Scholarship Application Form can be found in the application.

Housing
HMS MEDscience Programs are non-residential programs. Housing and travel are not included and are the responsibilities of families/guardians. Students must be accompanied at their local accommodations by parents/guardians or responsible adults for the duration of the program.

Eligibility
Students must be in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 at time of application.
Students must be at least 16 years old at the start of the MEDscienceLAB program session.
Alumni of HMS MEDscience programs, semester or summer, may only apply to programs that they have not completed.