9 Data Science Internships for High School Students
For ambitious high school students eyeing a future in data science, exploring data science internships can be a valuable step before college applications. These internships not only demonstrate your enthusiasm and drive to delve deeper into data science beyond classroom studies but also offer hands-on learning experiences.
Here, we’ve curated a concise list of 9 data science internships tailored for high school students. While not all are traditional internships, they are structured in a similar fashion (with a project and mentorship component) and provide a chance to immerse yourself in real-world data science and research:
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) offers an internship focusing on the application of data science innovation in the medical field. This internship, spanning 8 to 12 weeks, provides students with the opportunity to work closely with a research mentor on a computational research project in biological sciences.
In addition to hands-on training, participants have access to seminars and professional development workshops aimed at enhancing scientific communication skills. The culmination of the program is the presentation of the intern’s research project at NLM’s Summer Poster Day. There’s also a possibility of presenting the poster at the NIH-wide Summer Poster Day. This internship offers a comprehensive experience for students interested in exploring the intersection of data science and medicine!
Location: NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD
Cost: No Cost
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Program Dates: Starts in June and runs for 8–12 weeks. Start dates and internship durations are flexible.
Eligibility:
Be at least 17 years of age by June 15, 2024. If your start date is before June 15, you must be 17 years of age by the internship start date.
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited U.S. college (including community college), university, or professional school (e.g., medical, dental, pharmacy)ORBe accepted into an accredited college, university, or professional program for fall 2024.
Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale
The Ladder Internship offers a competitive opportunity for high school students to collaborate with startups on data science-related projects. Founded by Harvard alumni, this selective program provides students the chance to partner with companies associated with prestigious institutions like YCombinator and Stanford University.
Students engage in real-world projects and present their findings upon completion. Ladder Startups operate across diverse fields such as machine learning, AI, technology, finance, environmental science, sustainability, business, marketing, healthcare, medicine, media, journalism, and more! Throughout the program, participants receive mentorship and support from experienced managers, either individually or in groups, depending on the project's nature.
One notable aspect of the Ladder Internship is its coaching and work-based model, distinguishing it from conventional internships. The virtual internship typically spans eight weeks, providing students with a structured and immersive experience in the world of data science and startup culture. To know more about Ladder Internships and whether it’s a good fit for you, check out this blog post!
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: $1990 (Financial Aid Available)
Application Deadline: Applications for cohorts in June, September, December, and February (4 cohorts throughout the year). The upcoming application deadline is May 12, 2024.
Program Dates: 8 weeks, June to August, cohorts run year round!
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates and gap year students.
3. Veritas AI - AI Fellowship
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of data science a suitable environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. These programs are designed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni and you can expect a great, fulfilling educational experience. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI scholars program before pursuing the fellowship.
The AI Fellowship program will have students pursue their own independent AI research project. Students work on their own individual research projects over a period of 12-15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. In the past, students have worked on research papers in the field of AI & medicine, AI & finance, AI & environmental science, AI & education, and more! You can find examples of previous projects here.
Location: Virtual
Cost:
$1,790 for the 10-week AI Scholars program
$4,900 for the 12-15 week AI Fellowship
$4,700 for both
Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Applications for fall cohort have closed September 3, 2023.
Program dates: Various according to the cohort
Program selectivity: Moderately selective
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit past experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions pertaining to the students background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagements offers internship opportunities at its facilities across the United States. If you’re located near a NASA facility, you can pursue an internship at a nearby research center. Alternatively, if you’re not in proximity to a NASA site, virtual internships are now available. High school students can explore internship options through NASA’s database.
One recommended internship, especially for those interested in data science, is the Antarctic Study with Satellite Observations internship. In this program, participants utilize big data analysis and machine learning techniques to study Antarctic clouds and blowing snow, along with their interaction with the surface. Leveraging data from NASA satellites, interns gain insights into long-term observations and contribute to cutting-edge research in climate science.
Location: Varies, different for each internship offered
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Application Deadline: Varies from internship to internship
Program Dates: Varies from internship to internship, but should be in one of these three cohorts -
Fall — from late August/early September to mid-December (16 weeks)
Spring — from mid-January to early May (16 weeks)
Summer — from late May/early June to August (10 weeks)
Eligibility:
High School Students
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
The Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) offered by NIST is tailored for high school students who have completed their junior or senior year and exhibit a keen interest in scientific research. Participants in this program have the unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research at NIST, collaborating closely with staff scientists and engineers. The SHIP program encompasses six NIST laboratories, each focusing on distinct areas:
Communications Technology Lab
Engineering Lab
Information Technology Lab
Material Measurement Lab
NIST Center for Neutron Research
Physical Measurement Lab
For students interested in data science, we recommend selecting the Information Technology Laboratory. Here, interns contribute to research aimed at supporting the development and advancement of measurement science, standards infrastructure, and computer technology.
Research activities may include digital data retrieval and preservation, bioinformatics, data mining, machine learning, information visualization, and image analysis. This internship offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience and insights into the dynamic field of data science within a renowned research institution like NIST.
Location: Varies from lab to lab.
Cost: No participation cost (but students must cover housing and transportation costs
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2024 summer internship was February 13, 2024. Internship dates for 2025 are TBA.
Program Dates: 6–8 weeks from June to August based on the previous year’s dates!
Eligibility:
Rising senior or recent graduate.
Must be eligible to work in the U.S.
A minimum of a 3.0 GPA should be maintained.
SparkSIP offers applicants the flexibility to choose 5–6 projects that align with their interests, pairing them with sponsors. This program provides more than just the chance to engage in real-world applications of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data visualization concepts. Participants also have the invaluable opportunity to interact with and learn from industry leaders, university professors, and mentors.
Among the topics covered in data science for the 2024 cohort are “Power Grid Resilience to Extreme Weather Conditions” involving data modelling and “Data Engineering and AI” which will explore systems to verify and validate structured and unstructured data! These topics provide students with hands-on experience and insights into cutting-edge research in the field of data science, enhancing their skills and knowledge for future endeavors.
Location: Greater Seattle Area, WA
Cost: No Cost, Stipend provided ($500)
Application Deadline: Variable deadlines based on project selected!
Program Dates: 6–8 weeks, June to August. However, specific dates will depend upon the selected internship.
Eligibility:
Must be a U.S. Citizen or have permanent resident status.
Can commit to working for 40 hours/week for 8–12 weeks.
7. The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging’s Summer Research Internship
The two-week virtual internship offered by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging provides a valuable opportunity for individuals interested in delving into the technical and clinical aspects of AI in healthcare. This program combines comprehensive lectures on the fundamentals of AI in healthcare with hands-on research projects and mentoring sessions led by Stanford researchers.
Participants have the option to pursue an extended independent research internship if desired! In addition to applying as a regular intern, individuals can also apply for the ‘Student Lead’ role. In this capacity, interns not only engage in their own projects but also have the chance to assist with project leadership under the guidance of an AIMI mentor. This dual role offers a unique opportunity for leadership development and deeper engagement with AI in healthcare research.
Location: Virtual
Cost: No Cost
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2024 internship was March 31, 2024. The deadline for the 2025 internship is TBA!
Program Dates: 2 weeks in June as per the previous year’s schedule!
Eligibility:
Summer Research interns must be high school students over the age of 14 by the start of the program.
Student leads must be California residents. Student interns must reside in the U.S.
Student leads must also be students over the age of 14 and may also be undergraduate students with a computer science background.
The DSI Summer Lab at the University of Chicago offers a 10-week, paid summer research opportunity designed for high school and undergraduate students interested in applied, interdisciplinary data science research. Throughout the program, participants are matched with data science mentors across various domains, including data science, computer science, climate and energy policy, and more. Mentors guide students in research methodologies, practices, and teamwork, fostering the development of essential skills.
Participants gain a deep understanding of fundamental data science methodologies and receive specialized training within their chosen application areas. The program culminates with the presentation of final research findings through videos created by the students. These videos are presented in a professional conference format, providing an opportunity for interaction with peers and the chance to field questions on their projects while also engaging with others’ work.
Location: University of Chicago Campus, IL
Cost: No cost; stipend provided ($4,800)
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2024 internship was January 16, 2024! The program dates and deadlines for 2025 are TBA.
Program Dates: From June to August as per 2024’s schedule.
Eligibility:
Open to all high school students.
Familiarity with at least one programming language and relevant coursework (e.g., computer science, statistics, and math) is preferred.
Note: International students are welcome to apply but are responsible for gaining authorization to work in the U.S. and providing all the necessary documentation to earn their stipend.
The Young Scholars Research Program offers an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in data analytics from a biology or medical science perspective. In this program, participants collaborate with George Mason University faculty on team projects alongside fellow high school or undergraduate students.
Throughout the program, participants utilize research methods using R or Stata, engage in data visualization using QGIS or ArcGIS, and explore network visualization using Gephi. Projects are assigned based on participants’ preferences, and students are expected to produce a final paper, which will be published on the Center for Biomedical Science and Policy website and in a special issue of their online journal. Additionally, participants deliver team presentations at the symposium.
Location: Virtual + George Mason University, NY (Note. There is a 1-week site lab research at multiple locations such as the National Science Foundation, The Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, and more)
Cost: The fees have not been mentioned (they have asked interested students to reach out to execed@gmu.edu for the free structure), however, they mention that need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (open to the first 35 students)
Program Dates: 6 weeks, June-August (tentatively, based on previous year’s dates)
Eligibility: Open to all high school students!
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program for high school students, founded by researchers from Harvard and Oxford universities. This exclusive program offers a structured research experience, pairing participants with full-time researchers to develop independent projects in their chosen disciplines. With a competitive acceptance rate, last year saw over 4000 applicants vying for one of the 500 slots available.
For data science enthusiasts, there’s the unique opportunity to work with a PhD mentor in the field. If you aspire to immerse yourself in a comprehensive and selective research program, seize this chance to apply. Apply now through this application form.
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!
Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of experience being a freelance writer and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a devoted cat parent.
Image Source: NASA logo