10 AI Programs for High School Students in Florida
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 31
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 14
If you’re a high schooler in Florida interested in an accessible way to engage with AI, consider an AI program in the state.
AI programs for high school students provide accessible, hands-on experience with machine learning, data science, and AI applications, while also offering access to college-level coursework, mentorship from industry experts, and real-world research projects.
Florida is home to many organizations and universities that offer solid programs and internships in AI, so make sure to check out the options below!
Many of these programs are fully funded, making them an accessible way to explore AI before committing to a college major or career path. If you are passionate about AI research and innovation, these programs offer rigorous coursework, networking opportunities, and guidance from AI professionals.
To help you find the best opportunities, we’ve compiled a list of 10 AI programs for high school students in Florida.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a highly selective, one-on-one research program designed to help high school students conduct independent research under the mentorship of PhD scholars from top universities. During the program, you will work on developing a research paper for over 12 weeks, gaining valuable academic and analytical skills. You can choose from a wide range of research topics, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations.
No prior research experience is required, but you have to demonstrate strong academic achievement (most accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher). By the end of the program, you will have produced a high-quality research paper that can be submitted to high school research journals or competitions.
Acceptance Rate: Accepts a small cohort for one-on-one mentorship
Dates: Multiple cohorts are available year-round. Summer Cohort I starts on June 2
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort.
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in grades 9 – 12 with a strong academic record (unweighted GPA of 3.3+). No prior research experience is required. Students from Florida are encouraged to apply.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts from $2,990 (need-based aid available)
The I-DeepLearn Summer Workshop at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a competitive, one-week program designed to introduce female high school students to the fundamentals of machine learning and deep learning. With a small cohort of 30 students, this program provides an immersive, hands-on experience in Python programming, neural networks, and AI-driven problem-solving.
A key focus of the workshop is AI applications in healthcare, where you will work on research projects and programming exercises to explore real-world AI solutions. You will receive mentorship from leading experts in the field, helping you gain valuable insights into AI research and innovation.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, admits 30 students only
Dates: July 28 – July 31
Application Deadline: July 1
Eligibility: Rising female students in grades 9th, 10th, and 11th grade
Location: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
Cost: Free
3. Veritas AI
Veritas AI is a competitive program that offers AI and machine learning experiences to high school students. Founded and run by Harvard graduate students, it provides two distinct tracks: the AI Scholars Program and the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase.
The AI Scholars Program is a 10-session boot camp that introduces you to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. However, if you have prior AI experience and are looking for something more intense, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers 1:1 mentorship from researchers at top universities like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. You can work as a fellow on independent research projects, gaining hands-on experience in AI applications while receiving support for publication in high school research journals.
Acceptance Rate: Competitive; accepts a small cohort for one-on-one mentorship
Dates: Multiple cohorts are available year-round. The summer cohorts start in May
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. March 23 for the summer early admission
Eligibility: High school students worldwide. Students from Florida are encouraged to apply.
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Both: $6,900 | Need-based aid available for AI Scholars
The ACEE Summer Camps, hosted by the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, offer a one-week academic program focused on electrical engineering and AI coding. You can choose between two specialized tracks:
Electrical Engineering Camp – Covers power, energy, wireless communications, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
AI Coding Camp – Introduces neural networks and convolutional neural networks, providing hands-on experience in building and training AI models.
Both camps emphasize academic growth, career development, and STEM career awareness, making them a good option for students interested in engineering and computer science.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Fairly welcoming
Dates: July 22 – July 26
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 12
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: $250
The University of Central Florida (UCF) Computer Science Summer Institute is a three-week intensive program designed for students passionate about computer science and technology. Led by UCF faculty and researchers, it provides interactive, hands-on instruction in both fundamental and advanced computer science concepts.
You will be placed into one of three course levels based on experience:
Levels 1 & 2 – Focus on computer science fundamentals, programming, and video game design.
Level 3 – Designed for those interested in competitive programming but not yet ready for UCF’s Competitive Programming Summer Institute.
With a highly selective admission process, the program accepts only 35 students annually. Upon completion, you will receive a detailed academic report and recommendations for future coursework or potential credit.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, 35 students per year
Dates: June 9 - June 27
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 11 who are at least 13 by the program start date
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Cost: $1,250
The Gator AI Camp is a week-long residential program at the University of Florida designed for rising 10th and 11th graders interested in the impact of artificial intelligence on society, research, and the global economy. You will work with UF faculty across various disciplines, gaining insights into AI applications in both the social and physical sciences.
The camp provides hands-on programming experience and the opportunity to work with AI tools to develop digital projects. Highlights include guided tours of UF’s research labs and the UF Data Center, home to HiPerGator — one of the nation’s most powerful supercomputers. These experiences give you exposure to top-tier AI research and inspire future careers in technology and innovation.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: July 13 - July 25
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders from Florida
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $2,400 program fees + $20 application fee, Need-based scholarships available for Florida high school students. Fee waiver available for students on free or reduced lunch
The Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp is a free, three-weekend program designed to introduce high school students in Miami to artificial intelligence and machine learning. The program is hosted at the Data Analytics Center at Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus. The program consists of three consecutive Saturday sessions, each lasting five hours, combining lectures, hands-on activities, and interactive discussions.
You will develop a foundational understanding of AI capabilities and real-world applications, learning to distinguish between AI myths and realities. The program also includes practical exercises using AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft’s cloud computing resources, giving students hands-on experience in building AI applications.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Fairly welcoming
Dates: November 2, November 9, and November 16
Application Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: High school students in Miami who can attend in-person at the MDC Kendall Campus
Location: Data Analytics Center, Miami Dade College, Kendall, FL
Cost: Free
The USF High School CyberCon is an interactive cybersecurity summer camp presented in a conference-style format. The program is hosted by the University of South Florida (USF) in collaboration with academic departments, industry leaders, and public and private sector organizations. This program provides a week-long immersive cybersecurity experience.
The camp features expert-led lectures, hands-on cybersecurity exercises, and professional networking opportunities. You will explore topics such as ethical hacking, cybersecurity careers, and real-world applications of cybersecurity principles. The camp culminates in a competitive Capture the Flag (CTF) event, where you can apply your skills in a team-based cybersecurity challenge.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Fairly welcoming
Dates: July 21 – July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions open on February 1
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9 – 12)
Location: USF Tampa campus, Tampa, FL
Cost: $450
The University of Florida Student Science Training Program (UF SSTP) is a prestigious 7-week residential research experience for students interested in science, medicine, mathematics, computer science, and engineering. As a participant you will have to dedicate 30 hours per week to faculty-mentored research, gaining hands-on experience in ongoing scientific projects.
In addition to research, you will also attend daily lectures on cutting-edge topics, participate in an honors seminar class, and engage in workshops and group discussions to develop critical thinking, technical writing, and communication skills. The program also includes individual and small-group mentorship sessions, helping you refine your understanding of scientific literature and research methodologies. Social activities such as service learning, field trips, and recreational events foster peer connections, creating a balanced and enriching experience.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: June 8 - July 26
Application Deadline: Florida high school student: April 15 and International student: April 1
Eligibility: High school students entering grade 12 who are at least 16 years old by the program start date
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $5,500 program fee + $50 application fee. Need-based scholarships available for Florida high school students
10. Stanford AI4ALL
Stanford AI4ALL is a highly selective, three-week summer program designed to introduce high school students to artificial intelligence (AI) while promoting diversity and inclusion in the AI field. As a participant, you’ll engage in AI-focused lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentorship from Stanford faculty and graduate students.
The curriculum explores AI applications, including robotics and natural language processing, while also providing career development workshops that guide students through higher education and professional opportunities in AI. The program also features networking opportunities with AI professionals and peers, fostering a community of aspiring innovators.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 4-6%
Dates: June 18 - July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: 9th-grade and rising 10th-graders who are at least 14 years old by the start of the program.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,000. Financial aid available
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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