Saturday Scholars Program

The Saturday Scholars Program provides an annual forum for high school students, particularly from the St. Louis Public Schools and a number of county schools, to learn about human anatomy both in a lecture and lab environment, while interacting with Washington University medical students.

The program consists of a three and a half hour human anatomy session on five consecutive Saturdays in February and March. Each session includes a lecture conducted by medical students on a system of the human anatomy (respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, renal and reproductive systems), followed by three interactive activities including an anatomy lab and a clinical skills breakout session.

During the last Saturday of the program, high school students will present a research PowerPoint project to their teachers and family members followed by an awards ceremony.

Students who participate in the Saturday Scholars Program will receive an invitation to apply to University of Missouri School of Medicine’s Excellence in Learning Program. Selected students and one teacher from each school are invited to experience patient-based learning as part of an intensive day long program on the Columbia campus.

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• See our criteria for selection »
• View a typical Saturday Scholars agenda »

APPLY TO THE SATURDAY SCHOLARS PROGRAM

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2025 Saturday Scholars Program

Dates: February 15, February 22, March 1, March 8, March 15

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. CST

Please Note: The 2025 program will take place on Washington University School of Medicine’s campus. Teachers or school administrators must accompany their students to all five sessions. 

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Criteria for Selection

High school juniors, seniors or sophomores with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher who exhibit an interest and aptitude in math and science are strongly encouraged to apply to the Saturday Scholars Program. Freshmen will be considered only if there is space available. Students should be prepared to interact in small and large group settings and to participate in a group presentation the last Saturday of the program.

Online Application Requirements

• Grade point average of 3.0 or higher

• Completed application, including signatures from the science teacher and parent/guardian
• A Permission for Emergency Medical Treatment form
• A “favorite booth” or “a health profession that interests me” essay

Note: We require a science teacher or school administrator’s name and email address to start the online application process.

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Typical Saturday Scholars Agenda

This agenda is tentative and subject to change. The final agenda will be distributed to participants before the program. All times are CST.

8:30 a.m.	Arrival/Check in*
8:55 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.	Introductory Remarks
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.	Lecture
10:15 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.	Break

10:25 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.	Breakout activity 1**
11:10 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.	Breakout activity 2**
11:55 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.	Breakout activity 3**

* Light breakfast will be offered

** The group will breakout into three sections and will rotate between three different activities including the anatomy lab, health information resources and clinical skills. Participants will also attend “Why Medicine?” and “More than Medicine” student panel sessions.