Introduction

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The CROSSTALK LAB High School Summer Camp: Research, AI & University Portfolio Excellence is a focused, hands-on 5-day program designed for high school students who want to think like researchers, communicate with confidence, use AI responsibly, and build an academic profile that stands out.

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This camp introduces students to the foundations of scientific research, scientific writing, responsible AI use, presentation skills, and extracurricular portfolio planning. Through practical exercises, guided activities, and interactive sessions, students will learn how to move from curiosity to a clear research idea, and from an idea to a stronger academic and university application profile.

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Who Is This Camp For?

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• High school students in Grades 9–12

• Students preparing for local or international university applications

• Aspiring researchers, future scientists, healthcare professionals, engineers, social scientists, or curious thinkers across any field

• Students who want to strengthen their academic portfolio, extracurricular record, and university readiness​

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What Students Will Learn

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• Understand how scientific research works and how strong research ideas are developed

• Identify research problems and turn them into clear research questions

• Use frameworks such as FINER and PICO to structure research ideas

• Understand basic research designs and how to think critically about evidence

• Read and critically analyze scientific articles

• Recognize different types of scientific writing and choose the best writing format for their research question

• Use AI tools responsibly in academic research, writing, and learning

• Communicate ideas clearly through academic writing and presentations

• Build a strategic extracurricular portfolio aligned with university goals and future majors

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Program at a Glance

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Day 1

Building Blocks of Scientific Research

What research is, types of research, where research ideas come from, how knowledge is built, and how students can start thinking like researchers.

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Day 2

Scientific Writing & Article Analysis

Types of scientific writing, how to read and critically analyze a scientific article, how to connect research questions with the right type of academic writing, and how to structure ideas clearly for research papers, reports, reviews, and university-level writing.

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Day 3

AI Tools in Academia, Research, and Writing

How AI tools can support learning, research planning, writing, idea development, and responsible academic work. Students will also learn the limits of AI and how to use it ethically and critically.

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Day 4

Presentation Skills

Storytelling in presentations, narrative arcs, slide design, delivery confidence, and communicating ideas clearly under pressure.

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Day 5

Extracurricular Portfolio Strategy

How to choose meaningful activities, align extracurriculars with future majors, and build a compelling university application profile.

 

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What’s Included

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• 5 days of interactive, expert-led sessions

• Practical exercises and guided activities

• Research, writing, presentation, and portfolio templates

• Light refreshments for in-person participants

• Certificate of attendance

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Camp Details

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Format: In-person in Doha, with online access available for students abroad
Duration: 5 full days
Dates: 27, 28, 29, 30 June and 1 July
Language: English
Cohort Size: Limited to 30–35 students

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Meet the Trainers

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Nouf Mahmoud, Msc., PhD, EMBA

Founder of CROSSTALK LAB | Lead Trainer

Dr. Nouf Mahmoud is the Founder of CROSSTALK LAB and a UK-CPD–certified trainer with more than 22 years of experience in education, research, supervision, and mentoring. She has been recognized by UNESCO and HEC Paris University for excellence in research, mentoring, and leadership. Through CROSSTALK LAB, she has trained and mentored students, researchers, and professionals to develop stronger research, writing, presentation, and academic portfolio skills.

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Dr. Noura Dawass

Computational Scientist | Co-Trainer

Dr. Noura Dawwas is a computational scientist with around a decade of experience in international research and collaborative environments. She brings strong expertise in scientific thinking, critical analysis, problem-solving, and clear communication.She has also pursued an ICF-accredited certification in positive psychology and coaching, supporting her ability to ask meaningful questions, guide students, and create an engaging learning environment.

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Why CROSSTALK LAB?

 

CROSSTALK LAB is a MOCI-licensed education and research consultancy founded by Dr. Nouf Mahmoud. We support students, researchers, and professionals through high-quality mentoring, scientific writing support, research training, AI-supported academic development, and practical research education.

CROSSTALK LAB has:

• Trained 150+ researchers and students

• Mentored 30+ researchers

• Delivered 35+ workshops, camps, and academic events

• Supported high school students, university students, researchers, and professionals in building stronger research, writing, and academic communication skills

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Our high school alumni have gone on to publish peer-reviewed articles, gain admission to leading universities such as CMU-Qatar, and build research portfolios that open doors locally and internationally.

At CROSSTALK LAB, we do not just teach research.