Real research. For curious minds.
Tackle the same questions scientists, epidemiologists, and neuroscientists work on every day. No textbook answers. No multiple choice. Just you, a problem, and the tools to solve it.
Problems written and reviewed by researchers from
- University of Pennsylvania
- Cleveland Clinic
- Harrington Discovery Institute
- Imperial College London
- Stanford University
- University of Cambridge
Science class teaches facts. This teaches you to think.
Most students never get to do real science — they memorise it. Open Lab gives you open-ended problems drawn from actual research, with no single right answer and no one to copy from.
You design the approach. You analyse the data. You reach your own conclusions.
Pick your level. Start anywhere.
Beginner
10–15 hours · GCSE level and above
Run your own experiment, build a simple model, or analyse a public dataset. No specialist software needed — just curiosity and a spreadsheet.
Advanced
15–35 hours · A-level and above
Work with real bioinformatics tools, design cognitive experiments, or build mathematical models of biological systems.
Expert
35+ hours · University entrance level
Analyse RNA-seq data, run Mendelian randomisation studies, or cluster single-cell transcriptomic datasets. This is the real thing.
More than a tick on a worksheet.
Every approved submission earns a certificate, written feedback from a researcher, and a real piece of work for your portfolio.
A signed certificate
Once your submission is reviewed and approved, you receive an Open Lab Certificate — issued in your name and shareable on UCAS, LinkedIn, or your portfolio.
Personal feedback
A working researcher reads your write-up and sends back honest, specific feedback — what worked, what didn't, and what to try next.
A portfolio piece
Your investigation becomes a real research artifact for personal statements, EPQ portfolios, or scholarship applications.
Three steps. That's it.
Pick a problem
Browse 15 challenges across seven disciplines. Each problem comes with a full brief, hints, and curated resources.
Do the work
Investigate independently. Use the tools and datasets we point you to. There's no fixed format.
Submit and reflect
Upload your write-up. We'll review it and get back to you within two weeks with feedback and a certificate.
You don't need a lab coat.
Open Lab is for students who want to go further than the curriculum. Whether you're preparing a UCAS personal statement, working on an EPQ, running a school STEM club, or just genuinely curious — these problems are for you.
Work alone or in a team. The only requirement is that you actually try.
Problems across seven fields
Biology
Immunity, cell biology, physiology
Neuroscience
Brain structure, plasticity, neural circuits
Psychology
Cognition, behaviour, experimental design
Cognitive Science
Perception, memory, decision-making
Epidemiology
Disease modelling, public health, outbreaks
Genetics
Inheritance, genomics, GWAS, twin studies
Bioinformatics
Sequence analysis, RNA-seq, phylogenetics
Your first problem is waiting.
Pick a challenge, do the work, and submit something you're genuinely proud of. No fees. No sign-up required.