15 Natural Sciences University Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 day ago
- 14 min read
If you’re in high school and thinking about building a strong academic profile early, structured programs can make a great difference. They give you exposure to how subjects are studied beyond school and help you develop skills that are expected later. Natural sciences university programs for high school students are one such option if you are interested in subjects like biology, chemistry, or physics.
These programs place you in an academic setting where you attend lectures, work through experiments, and engage with scientific material in a more focused way. You might study topics in depth, work in labs, or follow guided research tasks that show how scientific ideas are tested and developed.
Why should I participate in a university natural sciences program in high school?
Natural sciences university programs for high school students help you understand how science is studied at the college level. You learn how to approach problems, work with data, and follow structured methods. They also help you assess your current level and readiness for advanced study. You begin to see how well you handle concepts and where you need to improve. In addition, these programs strengthen your college applications by giving you a clear academic experience outside of school. You can point to coursework, lab work, or projects as evidence of your interest.
To make your search easier, here are 15 natural sciences university programs for high school students!
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Several programs are free or provide stipends, including Penn PREHSS (free with $1,500 stipend and transportation), NC A&T RAP (free with stipend upon completion), Stanford SPINWIP (free), NC State CNR Summer Research (check site for costs), and NC Resource Conservation Workshop (scholarships available with up to $1,000 in cash prizes for top performers).
Programs span a wide range of natural science sub-fields including marine biology (Roger Williams University, Brown Pre-College), environmental science and conservation (NC Resource Conservation Workshop, USC Environmental Studies, UW-Madison BioFrontiers), astronomy and astrophysics (Vanderbilt Physics of Stars, Stanford SPINWIP), equine and animal science (UMass Amherst), genetics and bioscience (Stanford Topics in Bioscience, UI Illini Summer Academies), and forestry and natural resources (NC State CNR).
Several programs are specifically designed for underrepresented groups, including Stanford SPINWIP (girls in grades 9 through 11), Penn PREHSS (Philadelphia School District students), NC A&T RAP (historically Black university program for rising juniors and seniors), and Cornell SCE (financial aid for first-generation and low-income students).
Students looking for college credit can apply to Cornell School of Continuing Education (credits and Cornell transcript), UMass Amherst Equine Science Program (2 college credits), and select Cornell and Brown Pre-College programs, all of which offer formal academic credentials alongside the program experience.
Deadlines range from February through May, with NC A&T RAP closing February 27, Stanford Topics in Bioscience closing March 13, and Penn PREHSS closing March 16, so students should begin identifying programs in the fall and apply to February and March deadline programs first.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free with transportation and lunch provided; $1,500 stipend on completing the program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Based on availability of projects (an earlier cohort had 114 across various disciplines)
Program Dates: Typically June-end – July-end (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 16
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (current 10th and 11th graders) from the Philadelphia School District, charter schools, and other schools by invitation
The Penn Research Experience for High School Students (PREHSS) provides an authentic research experience in disciplines of the School of Arts and Sciences, including the natural sciences, such as physics, astronomy, chemistry, and biology. You will be matched with graduate students, postdocs, and other research staff to work in a research lab under the supervision of a senior faculty member. Earlier cohorts have worked on the effects of climate change on marine life, developing innovative technologies for biomolecular imaging, investigating the distribution of dark matter in galaxies, and more. You will also attend workshops to develop key skills in scientific research methodologies and communication. The program wraps up with a presentation of your work at the concluding symposium.
Location: Cambridge
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Maximum of 12
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer (typically starts on June 28)
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13 – 15 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus, study in small groups of 7-10, and learn from tutors from top universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. You can explore a wide range of subjects spanning 20+ options, including Architecture, AI, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Philosophy, and more. The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning. You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 8:1 student-counselor ratio
Program Dates: July 6 to July 24
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school girls in grades 9 – 11 at the time of application
The Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is a three-week online program that offers high school girls opportunities to explore a diverse range of physics research fields. You do not require prior coding or physics knowledge! You will attend faculty talks and subject-matter lectures, and participate in discussions. You will learn Python programming and apply your skills to a research project, such as quantum physics, quantum mechanics, astrophysics, and more. You will gain insight into lasers and optics, black holes and dark matter, and more. You will also participate in information sessions to learn about educational opportunities and career pathways in physics and astronomy.
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC, with field work near the campus
Cost: The information is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available (an earlier cohort had 12)
Program Dates: July 13 – 24 (2 weeks)
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: High school students
The High School Summer Research Program at North Carolina State University (NC State) 's College of Natural Resources (CNR) is an in-person program that gives high schoolers the opportunity to explore career options in forestry and natural resources. You will receive training in the entire research process, from developing a hypothesis to presenting the findings professionally. You will gain exposure to various forestry topics, including economic aspects, hydrology, soil ecology, and more. You will participate in fieldwork, collate data, and give a poster presentation at a mini-symposium. You may also get an opportunity to attend the annual Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium.
Location: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC
Cost: Free; $25 non-refundable application fee; stipend after completion
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available (12 in an earlier cohort)
Program Dates: June 14 – 26 (2 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors as of Fall with a minimum GPA of 2.8; must be U.S. citizens
The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a summer residential program that provides high school students with hands-on research experience while living on campus. You will work with university scientists on their current research projects, including agriscience, food, environmental science, and more. You will gain insight into the research process to prepare you for a college major in the discipline. You will participate in on-campus social activities with peers and undertake tours of local landmarks. You will receive a stipend upon completing the program and enrollment within one of the majors in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
Location: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost: Academy fee is based on program type; $500 early registration fee ($550 regular registration fee) with scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: June 21- 25
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: High school students
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Illini Summer Academies (ISA) provides opportunities for high school students to explore a range of disciplines on campus, including the natural sciences. You could pursue the 'Feeding the Future: Breeding and Genetics' program (no academy fee), in which you will do research work focusing on the application of lab and field technologies to meet food security challenges. Another option is the 'Honeybee Biology and Beekeeping' (academy fee $75) program, in which you will gain insight into the biology and behaviors of honeybees and learn management practices to preserve pollinator-foraging habitats. Each program will have hands-on activities with mentorship from faculty and experts. You will also participate in professional development workshops and discussions.
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $650 registration fee per student; scholarships awarded to cover the cost
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Maximum 90
Program Dates: June 14 – June 19
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students nominated by a local soil and water conservation district, with priority to rising juniors and seniors
The NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services' Resource Conservation Workshop is a weeklong educational camp with field work for high school students. You will learn about natural resource conservation and agriculture while experiencing campus life at NC State University. You will attend workshop sessions at the university's field lab and conduct field studies at Falls Lake State Recreation Area and Clemmons State Educational Forest in Clayton. You will participate in multiple hands-on outdoor activities, including exploring muddy water, tracking wildlife, evaluating livestock pastures, and more. You will apply your learnings to creating a conservation plan. You will appear for an exam at the end of the program with the opportunity to win college scholarships and up to $1,000 in cash prizes!
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: $6,416 (commuter)/$8,372 (campus) and a $100 supplemental fee (check costs here); $80 application fee; application fee waiver and scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: June 22 - July 10 (check schedule here)
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Eligibility: High school students
High school students keen to explore the natural science field of marine life could consider Brown University's 'The Common and the Unusual of the Local Marine World' program. You will attend college-level classes and participate in hands-on lab and field activities. You will gain insight into ecology, biodiversity, and conservation management. You will learn about the diverse range of coastal marine organisms and plant species. You will collaborate with peers to conduct a survey of marine and estuarine biodiversity along Rhode Island shores. You will gain key skills in the identification of various species and describe their features in scientific terminology.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies, based on program and number of credits (check costs here), with financial aid available for talented first-generation and/or low-income high school students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Vary, typically 3-week/6-week sessions in summer and 3-week sessions in winter (check summer dates here and winter dates here)
Eligibility: High school students
The Cornell School of Continuing Education offers virtual programs for high school students to explore potential majors across a diverse range of disciplines, including the natural sciences. You will learn through a fast-paced, college-level curriculum in a condensed three- or six-week program. You will interact with peers and the instructor through discussion boards, interactive chat rooms, and video conferences in synchronous/asynchronous modes. In the summer, there are courses in astronomy, ecology and evolutionary biology, microbiology, molecular biology, and more. In the winter, you can pursue courses in ecology and the environment, entomology, and more. You will earn credits and a Cornell transcript upon completing the course.
Location: Roger Williams University, Providence, RI
Cost: $2,195; scholarships available for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 18 per session
Program Dates: July 5 – 11 (Session 1); July 12 – 18 (Session 2); July 19 – 25 (Session 3); July 26 – August 1 (Session 4); August 2 – 8 (Session 5)
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
High school students interested in exploring marine biology and aquatic science could consider Roger Williams University's Summer Marine Biology Camp. You will gain first-hand experience studying coastal ecosystems and sampling local marine life. You will participate in wet lab studies and program activities, with field trips scheduled on a research vessel, aboard which you will learn to deploy scientific equipment. You will gain basic skills in collecting and analyzing samples and observation methods in oceanography and marine biology. You also attend guest lectures led by the university's professional marine scientists. You can also closely observe local marine life in its natural habitat during a snorkeling trip!
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,990; $35 non-refundable application fee; full scholarships available to students enrolled in the summer session of the USC Leslie and William Morrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative (USC NAI).
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Multiple sessions (check the upcoming schedule here)
Application Deadline: Varies, typically five days before the program start date (check the deadlines here)
Eligibility: Students enrolled in a high school or secondary program (grades 9 – 12); must be at least 14 years old or older; English proficiency required for international students
This online exploration course provides high school students with exposure to ecology and environmental science. You will get access to instructional video content, complete assignments, and take a knowledge check at the end of each module. You will attend recorded lectures, participate in activities, gain exposure to scientific research and actual case studies, and build industry connections. You will study natural resources and renewable energy, coastal pollution, conservation and biodiversity, and more. You will receive a USC Certificate of Completion upon completing all five program modules within 90 days of completing the full program.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,200 with need-based financial aid available; purchase of additional materials up to $100 may be required
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Average class size is 16
Program Dates: June 15 – 26 (Session 1); July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8 – 11 at the time of application; should be older than 13 years old, and younger than 19 years old during the program dates
The Topics in Bioscience is a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes (SI) online program. You will attend a live online class 2 hours/day, followed by an office hour, and complete asynchronous assignments. You will gain foundational knowledge of concepts in the interdisciplinary fields of bioscience and biomedicine, with the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. You will learn about viruses and mRNA vaccines. You will participate with peers in small group activities and work on a collaborative project. Explore more courses associated with the natural sciences here.
Location: UW–Madison, Madison, WI (residential/commuter options available)
Cost: Starts at $2,600 (commuter) with a non-refundable $100 application fee (check tuition costs here and details of financial aid here)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The program info mentions a small class size
Program Dates: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students finishing grades 9 – 12
This Biofrontiers course is an in-person pre-college program that provides high school students with an opportunity to explore natural sciences in the broader field of biological sciences. You will gain exposure to ecology, molecular biology, and microbiology, and learn about innovative technologies used in meeting real-world challenges in these fields. You will attend guest lectures as well as participate in lab activities. You will gain exposure to the higher educational opportunities in the field and the skills required for future careers. Campus field trips are also part of the program.
Location: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
Cost: $2,600 (Grades 9 – 10); $2,750 (Grades 11 – 12); $50 application fee ($100 for international applicants); need-based financial aid and scholarships are available (check details here)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not known
Program Dates: Vary based on course (check program dates here)
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Grades 7 – 12
Through the Program for Talented Youth (PTY), Vanderbilt University's Summer Academy offers high school students opportunities to pursue a pre-college program in a field of interest, including the natural sciences. You will have an in-depth academic learning experience (approx. 6 hours/day) in a fast-paced, accelerated course led by subject experts. If you are in Grades 9 – 10, you can consider two programs - Physics of Motion and The Invisible Colors of Stars. If you are in Grades 11- 12, there are three programs - the Physics of Particle Accelerators & Detectors, The Secret Science of Electrochemistry, and Introduction to Astrophysics: Black Holes, Gravity & the Science of Sci-Fi. You will also participate with peers in social and recreational activities.
Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst), MA
Cost: $2,337 (commuter); $4,119 (residential); $45 application fee (check fees and scholarship details here)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: July 12 - 25
Application Deadline: May 15,/till spots fill
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
UMass Amherst's College of Natural Sciences, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, hosts the Equine Science program, a pre-college program offering 2 credits to high school students at the university's Hadley Farm Equine Center. You will attend safety training sessions to understand horse behavior and how to handle them before working with them daily. Learning modules include equine reproduction, nutrition, and various aspects of farrier science. You will participate in discussions with guest speakers from the equine industry and learn about college and career opportunities in the equine profession. Based on your learnings, you will complete a research project or case study and make a professional presentation at the end of the program.
Frequently asked questions
What types of natural sciences university programs are available for high school students?
Options include free stipend-based research experiences (Penn PREHSS, NC A&T RAP, Stanford SPINWIP), university pre-college science courses with credit (Cornell SCE, UMass Amherst), marine biology and coastal ecology programs (Roger Williams University, Brown Pre-College), environmental and conservation programs (NC Resource Conservation Workshop, USC Environmental Studies, UW-Madison BioFrontiers), astrophysics and physics programs (Vanderbilt Summer Academy, Stanford SPINWIP), bioscience and genetics programs (Stanford SI, UI Illini Academies), and forestry and natural resources programs (NC State CNR).
Are there free natural sciences programs for high school students?
Yes, several programs are free or provide stipends. Stanford SPINWIP is completely free. Penn PREHSS is free with a $1,500 stipend, transportation, and lunch provided. NC A&T RAP is free with a $25 application fee and provides a stipend upon completion. NC Resource Conservation Workshop offers full scholarships. UI Illini Summer Academies' Feeding the Future program has no academy fee. Programs like Immerse Education and Stanford SI charge tuition but offer financial aid.
Which programs are best for students interested in marine biology or ocean science?
Roger Williams University Marine Biology Camp offers five sessions with field trips on a research vessel, snorkeling, and hands-on coastal sampling over one week. Brown University's Pre-College program in marine biology includes a biodiversity survey of Rhode Island shores and college-level lab and field work over three weeks. SUNY Oneonta BFS (listed in related blogs) similarly combines lake fieldwork with lab analysis.
Which programs are best for students interested in astrophysics or physics?
Stanford SPINWIP is a free three-week virtual program for high school girls covering quantum physics, astrophysics, and laser optics with Python coding. Vanderbilt Summer Academy offers courses for grades 9 to 10 (Physics of Motion, Invisible Colors of Stars) and grades 11 to 12 (Particle Accelerators, Astrophysics and Black Holes) on campus.
Do any natural sciences university programs offer college credit?
Yes, Cornell School of Continuing Education awards college credits and a Cornell transcript for its summer and winter online courses in astronomy, ecology, microbiology, and related fields. UMass Amherst Equine Science Program awards 2 college credits through the College of Natural Sciences. Students should verify current credit policies directly with each program before applying.
When should I apply to natural sciences university programs for high school students?
NC A&T RAP closes February 27. Stanford Topics in Bioscience closes March 13, Vanderbilt Summer Academy closes March 14, and Penn PREHSS closes March 16. NC Resource Conservation Workshop closes March 31 and NC State CNR closes April 10. Stanford SPINWIP closes May 1 and UMass Amherst closes May 15. Students should begin researching in the fall and prioritize February and March deadline programs well before the spring semester ends.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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.