In 2020 we welcomed twelve students and two high school science teachers to join a virtual METEOR program due to COVID-19 restrictions. Our students were matched with mentorship teams consisting of one or two faculty/physicians, research staff and ancillary health professionals. Mentorship teams included those of the following divisions/research institutes:  Sheik Zayed Institute of Pediatric Innovation, Heart Institute, Center for Translational Research, Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases, IMPACT DC Asthma Program and included Hematology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Otolaryngology, Bioengineering.

The students engaged virtually in daily lectures on COVID-related information, including virology, PPE, and other critical information about the pandemic. These were supplemented by workshops focused on building research skills to support students in high school and beyond, such as strategies for developing a strong hypothesis and tips for displaying data in ways the public can understand. The final Summer Student Lecture Series was built on the CTSA Core Competencies and opened student eyes to the varied and exciting career opportunities and the ever expanding questions yet to be asked in regards to health disparities.

Students worked with their mentorship teams to develop hypotheses related to their fields; students proposed a plan to complete the research in the upcoming year in-person or virtually.