The 2025/2026 MCC High School Program Academia Scholarship Program concluded with its closing conference on July 30 and 31, where high school students presented the results of ten months of dedicated research. During the two day event, scholarship students showcased the projects they had developed throughout the academic year under the guidance of experienced mentors, presenting their findings before a professional jury.
The Academia Scholarship Program introduces talented high school students to the world of academic research at an early stage of their education. Working closely with expert mentors, participants have the opportunity to explore a research topic of their choice while gaining experience of the entire research process. The conference offered students the chance to present their work, strengthen their public speaking skills, and receive valuable professional feedback from the jury.
The conference highlighted the remarkable diversity of the students' research interests. The first day focused on natural sciences, technology, life and health sciences, as well as education and sustainability. On the second day, students presented projects in economics and finance, alongside research in the social sciences, history, and social conflicts.
Many of the projects went beyond traditional literature reviews by incorporating original surveys, data analysis, and experimental research. As a result, participants experienced every stage of the research process, from developing an initial idea and designing a methodology to interpreting results and drawing evidence based conclusions.
The professional jury evaluated each presentation based on its scientific quality, structure, delivery, and the presentation of research findings. The conference therefore served not only as an opportunity for students to showcase their achievements, but also as a genuine academic challenge that encouraged them to defend their ideas and demonstrate the knowledge they had acquired throughout the program.
