Minnetonka Research

Minnetonka Research provides the opportunity to pursue authentic research driven by their own questions and interests. By connecting students with leaders in academia and industry, this program will inspire and guide students as they develop 21st Century Skills (communication, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration). Students will leave the program ready to engage in challenging college courses and cutting-edge careers in fields of inquiry.

Research students hone their problem-solving skills, while expanding their content knowledge. With expert coaching, students work collaboratively to develop real-time and agile response skills applicable in the
real world.

Leading-edge facilities give students the space and time to pursue authentic research in their areas of interest. These facilities house university-level equipment, available beyond school hours, so that students can conduct long-term experiments.

Visit the Minnetonka Research Website

Complete the Interest Form

Real-time, Real-world Research Experience

Minnetonka Research is an advanced study program at Minnetonka High School providing highly motivated students early exposure to hands-on, college-level research during the school year. Students drive their own learning with projects that span an incredible range of disciplines—including natural sciences, social sciences, mathematics, computer science, music, political science and more. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, students develop their own research questions and project designs. At the end of the year, students can differentiate themselves as critical thinkers who are well-versed in the research process. During the course of their study, students also connect with leaders in academia and industry who inspire and guide them as they develop communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration skills. In doing so, Minnetonka Research prepares students for full engagement in college courses and leading-edge careers in fields of inquiry.

Research Courses

Two Research courses are open to students who have successfully completed an IB or AP course in an area of research that supports their intended area of research:

Scientific Research I – available to sophomores, juniors and seniors
Scientific Research II – available to juniors and seniors

Students will participate in a collaborative environment throughout the courses and will be encouraged to enter their research into local, state, regional and international competitions.

Honing Their Skills

Minnetonka students enrolled in Scientific Research will improve their skills in the following four core domains: communications, professional engagement, scientific knowledge and the research process. Sixteen skills and competencies, identified by global institutions seeking a skilled workforce, serve as the backbone of Minnetonka Research’s assessment tools and will help ensure the program continues to develop highly skilled leaders of tomorrow.

Course Listing

Intro to Research - Human Performance (Minnetonka Research) - NEW FOR 2024-25

Course: # 3120, S1
Course: #3122, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grades 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of an honors level science course or teacher recommendation.

Students in this course will focus on developing experimental designs and communicating research in optimizing function, enhancing injury resiliency, and ensuring lifelong health in human performance. This introductory course allows students to engage and learn about the research process with a more structured research project and will have more direct instruction than what is offered in Scientific Research 1 and 2.

Scientific Research I

Course: #3100, S1
Course: #3102, S2
Grade(s) offered: Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
Credits: 0.5 (per semester, full-year course)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of an AP or IB course in the area of intended research. Student must have achieved a 3 or higher on an AP Exam or a 4 or higher on an IB exam, related to their area of intended research.

Students will learn the process of and engage in original research on a topic of their choice. Students will review and interpret published research, develop research questions, and create an experimental plan in their research process.