Engaging High School Students in Research Through QuarkNet

QuarkNet is a national program of Education and Outreach in Particle Physics. A hallmark of QuarkNet has been research experiences in physics for nontraditional participants at Centers located in universities and national laboratories across the US and Puerto Rico. Through the first five years of program operation these participants have been high school teachers. New in the sixth program year (2004) are high school students who have received immersive research experiences at several QuarkNet Centers. This initiative will grow significantly in future years. An overview of the program operation with high school students will be provided, and examples will be presented of how research scientists such as faculty and graduate students can engage the interest and participation of high school students in physics research projects.