Eight high school students at the school are earning college credit for the University of Texas at Austin by participating in a new honors research class. The program offers students the opportunity to initiate and engage in real-world research experience with faculty and graduate students at UT, St. Michael’s spokesperson Laura Duggan said in a news release. The program is funded by a National Institute of Health’s Science Education Partnership award, she said. During the first semester students develop research projects and learn research methodology. Students will work with Dr. Tim Riedel to learn advanced techniques in molecular and cell biology during the second semester. St. Michael’s is one of four public and private high schools in the Austin area to participate in the program.