Guide to The R.E.A.L. Experience at Georgia Tech

Last updated on 07/07/2026 by Ethan Sawyer

If you know anything about Georgia Tech (and if you research the REAL program and the Georgia Tech Research Institute, you probably do), you know that they are dedicated to developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.

And it’s no surprise that they do it through innovation. It is actually one of their missions to build “a remarkable and diverse community of learning, discovery and creation in an inclusive and collaborative environment focused on innovation and access”.

To build that community, Georgia Tech is committed to accessibility and equity. As part of that commitment, the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) launched the REAL Experience in 2004—an early engagement initiative that helps high school students gain hands-on exposure to STEM fields.

If you’re a high school student eager to explore research, engineering, and authentic learning at one of the best STEM schools in the state, then REAL EXPERIENCE may be just what you’re looking for.

Curious to learn more? Below, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this program for new researchers, including what it’s about, who it’s for, what the opportunities might look like, how to know if you’re eligible, and how to apply.

Ready to get REAL? Let’s go!

What is the real GTRI experience?

On A REAL EXPERIENCE– what it stands for Explore, experiment, analyze and learn— is a structured pathway at Georgia Tech for high school students who want deeper exposure to STEM fields. Think of it as an extraordinary five-week overview of the academic and research culture at Georgia Tech.

At its core, the program is designed to:

• Introduce high school students to real research in a variety of university labs

• Offer mentorship and learning opportunities from Georgia Tech faculty and researchers

• Help students build foundational skills in fields such as engineering, computing, and interdisciplinary problem solving

• Encourage curiosity, creativity and hands-on experimentation

• Support attendees’ pursuit of STEM careers in postsecondary education

If you feel like you’re always asking “How” and “Why,” this program is probably right up your street. But don’t just take our word for it: More than 400 high school students have participated in this program, and 75% have gone on to pursue STEM in college.

What opportunities does the real experience offer high school students?

This is where things get fun. THE TRUE EXPERIENCE is not one-size-fits-all and does not follow a predetermined program. Instead, it allows students to explore their interests and tailor their experience with their student team, their teacher, and their Georgia Tech sponsor.

While no two TRUE experiences are alike, all participants can expect to gain exposure to:

1. Research shadowing or laboratory participation

Students spend time on campus observing research teams, learning basic lab safety and seeing what scientific research looks like in real life. For some, it looked like developing an augmented reality facial recognition program. For others, it’s designing and modifying a suction-based robotic end effector. Through REAL and GTRI, you are only limited by your imagination.

2. Project-based learning experiences

Some students might explore structured engineering and computing challenges that involve designing, testing, creating, or solving real-world problems. Like to iterate on solutions or break things down to see how they work? Students here should do just that.

3. Interactions with Georgia Tech

Students gain access to fully equipped university labs, allowing them to work with GT staff to explore coding, robotics, data science, mechanical engineering concepts, or other STEM fields. Not only are these great skill builders, but they’re also solid confidence boosters.

In short, the REAL program offers many opportunities for participating students to learn, build, explore, and figure out what lights them up and what they want to explore more in college and beyond.

Who is the real experience for?

The short answer? This program is ideal for curious, motivated high school students who want to dive deeper into the research culture of STEM and Georgia Tech.

the (slightly) longer answer? REAL EXPERIENCE may be a good fit for students who:

• You are genuinely excited about STEM fields

• Come from underrepresented populations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education

• You want to engage in meaningful hands-on learning

• Looking for structured research or engineering experiences before college

• You want guidance from (and mutual relationships with) faculty and trained mentors

Worried you don’t have enough STEM experience to participate? That won’t be a problem here.

This program is not just for students who plan to maximize every STEM class available to them in their high school curriculum. Students with interest, curiosity, and initiative—even if still relatively new to STEM—are encouraged to explore REAL program opportunities.

After all, the program is designed to use what they already know and to further develop their skills to deal with real-world challenges.

Eligibility requirements for students with ACTUAL experience

To qualify for the REAL program, Georgia students must meet these eligibility requirements:

• Be 16 years of age or older on or before the REAL program start date

• Be paired with a teacher from their respective high school who has been admitted to Georgia Outstanding Teacher Scholarship Program (Gift).

• Be available to work 20 hours per week for the duration of the REAL experience (and be available to work the same hours as their GIFT teacher)

• Attend (with their parents/legal guardians and GIFT teachers) an in-person orientation session

• Complete online lab safety training and submit proof of completion prior to beginning the REAL program.

Sound good? If you have a genuine interest and curiosity, are willing to put in the effort that an intensive research experience requires, and have a burning desire to learn, you are exactly what the program is looking for.

How can teachers host a student team?

Teachers interested in hosting a student team of two to three students must first meet the GIFT fellow requirements and then complete the REAL program requirementswhich include:

• Willing to supervise their student team while the students are on the Georgia Tech campus

• Setting the schedule for an immersive student experience

• Attend the in-person orientation session

Why the GTRI REAL experience could be right for you

A REAL EXPERIENCE Georgia Tech Research Institute offers high school students a rare combination of access and depth in a summer program—giving you a chance to step outside of book-based theory and into a world of exploration, creativity, and discovery.

Programs like this aren’t just a resume supplement (although they obviously help there, too). They are truly unique opportunities to help you:

Whether you dream of engineering, are curious about computers, or are still figuring out where your strengths lie, participating in programs like the REAL Experience can give you a head start, clearer direction, and a more personalized story to tell when application season comes around.

And if you ask us, that makes this REAL experience a pretty sweet deal.

If you don’t live in Georgia or if this doesn’t seem like a good fit for you, there are many more opportunities to explore. Check out the links below to see more great ways to spend your summer:

Julia Byrd He published his first “book” about the elusive Pika in elementary school and has been writing fervently ever since. She is thrilled to be able to bring together her quirky love of grammar and her master’s degree in psychology to help students tell their most meaningful stories. Her favorite punctuation mark is the apostrophe because, in the words of Imagine Dragons, it’s “a symbol that reminds you there’s more to see.”

Top Values: Collaboration | Family | Productivity