15 Biotechnology Camps for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Apr 14
- 11 min read
If you’re considering biotechnology as a major or careers connected to medicine, public health, pharmaceuticals, or data science, enrolling in a biotechnology camp is a smart move in high school.
Biotechnology camps can teach you the kind of skills schools don’t always cover in regular classes. You might work on genetics-based activities, learn how lab testing works, practice research writing, and get comfortable with scientific problem-solving. That experience makes it easier to step into research internships or college-level biology later.
How are camps different from programs?
Camps are shorter, lighter, and usually more affordable than long research programs. They are designed for learning by doing. You get lab exposure in a way that feels manageable, even if you have never touched lab equipment before. Most camps are focused on skills like lab safety, basic experiments, and understanding how scientists test ideas in controlled settings.
These camps also help you stand out in college applications because they show direction. Instead of just saying you like biology, you can point to what you did, what you learned, and what kind of work you want to do next.
With that, here are 15 biotechnology camps for high school students!
15 Biotechnology Camps for High School Students
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (in-person or virtual)
Cost: $875 (in-person) or $610 (virtual); limited partial scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 13 – July 17
Application Deadline: Essay-based application; decisions typically released within 7–10 business days.
Eligibility: Current high school students; completion of at least one high school biology course required
The Biotechnology Sequencing (BTS) Camp introduces you to next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis through a fully computational, research-focused experience. You learn how to analyze raw genome sequencing data using the Linux operating system and tools commonly used in biomedical research labs. The camp focuses on practical skills in sequencing data analysis, a skill set that is highly valued in genomics, computational biology, and medical research. You work with real human datasets to identify viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 or RSV, and may explore potential new variants if you complete core tasks early.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, and Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA (hybrid; in-person or virtual)
Cost: $3,650 (full SYG camp) or $2,775 (Modules 2–3 only for prior CB campers); discounts available; application fee $75
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multi-module summer camp running from mid-June through early August
Application Deadline: April 30 (rolling basis)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ with completion of a high school biology course; college students with an interest in computational genomics are also eligible
The Sequencing Your Genome (SYG) Camp gives you hands-on experience analyzing real genomic data, including your own sequenced genome, using tools and databases commonly used by scientists. The camp is structured across three modules that introduce you to disease research, next-generation sequencing technologies, and personal genome analysis. You work in a Linux-based high-performance computing environment provided by the University of Michigan, gaining exposure to advanced computational resources rarely accessible to high school students. New for recent cohorts, the camp also incorporates machine learning techniques to explore applications of AI in genomic medicine, such as predicting blood type from sequencing data. Throughout the program, instructors guide you through ethical considerations, data ownership, and responsible self-data research.
Location: Oxford University, Cambridge University, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective; small cohorts
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions across multiple summer cohorts
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Pathway—Biotechnology Track allows you to study biotechnology at an undergraduate level while experiencing life at leading global universities. You learn in small classes of 4–10 students, working closely with academics from institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard. The program combines university-style lectures with weekly one-on-one tutorial sessions, allowing you to explore biotechnology concepts in depth. You also engage in practical, hands-on academic activities designed to mirror real university learning environments. Throughout the program, you work toward a personal project that applies what you’ve learned to a focused area of interest. By the end of the camp, you receive written academic feedback and a certificate of completion, giving you a clear sense of what studying biotechnology at a top university is like.
Location: North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
Cost: Not publicly specified
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: One-week camp during the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in science
The BRITE Futures High School Biotechnology Summer Camp offers you an immersive introduction to biotechnology through hands-on laboratory work and career exploration. Hosted at the BRITE Institute on the campus of North Carolina Central University, the camp is designed to help you understand how core biology and chemistry concepts are applied in real research and industry settings. You participate in a series of structured lab experiments, including DNA analysis using gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, PCR-based investigations, ELISA assays, and column chromatography. Each experiment builds on the previous day’s work, helping you develop proper laboratory techniques and scientific reasoning skills. In addition to lab work, you tour BRITE research facilities, meet with active scientists, and learn about current biotechnology research and career pathways.
Location: Wiregrass Innovation Center, Dothan, AL
Cost: $175 per student
Acceptance Rate: Limited seats; registration-based
Dates: June 15 – 18
Application Deadline: Registration opens March 11 (seats fill quickly)
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th-grade students enrolled during the school year; open to students across the Wiregrass region
The HudsonAlpha BioSkills Microbiology Level 1 Camp introduces you to core biotechnology and microbiology techniques through a hands-on, lab-focused experience. Hosted by the HudsonAlpha Educational Outreach team, this half-day camp is designed to help you build foundational wet lab skills used in biotechnology research. You learn essential techniques such as aseptic handling, proper micropipette use, solution preparation, and laboratory safety. Through guided experiments, you grow, count, and classify bacteria while exploring bacterial cell shapes and arrangements. By the end of the camp, you will have developed a strong foundation in microbiology methods that will prepare you for more advanced biotechnology coursework or camps in the future.
Location: Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Cost: $335
Acceptance Rate: Selective; application required
Dates: July 27 – July 30
Application Deadline: Application available soon; inquire directly for access.
Eligibility: Students aged 14–17 with an interest in DNA and biotechnology
The Science-U Biotechnology Mini Summer School gives you a hands-on introduction to modern biotechnology through immersive wet-lab training. During this four-day camp, you conduct experiments in Penn State’s graduate student biotechnology training lab, gaining exposure to techniques such as DNA cloning and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The curriculum is designed to help you understand how biotechnology is applied across biopharmaceutical, agricultural, and environmental research. In addition to lab work, you hear directly from scientists and industry professionals who share insights into biotechnology career pathways and research applications. The camp emphasizes practical skill development, scientific curiosity, and real-world relevance.
Location: University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL
Cost: $1,000 (residential) or $600 (commuter); $25 deposit required; scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 13 – July 19
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in early spring; decisions are released in early May
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
The Power of Bioengineering Camp introduces you to the interdisciplinary field of bioengineering through a combination of lectures, hands-on labs, and applied projects. You explore how biological systems function and learn how bioengineers design medical devices, therapeutics, and solutions to real-world problems in healthcare. The camp emphasizes experiential learning, allowing you to work with bio-instrumentation and techniques used to visualize, probe, and manipulate health and disease. You also gain exposure to different subfields within bioengineering, helping you understand how biology, engineering, and medicine intersect. As part of a Broadening Participation in STEM initiative, the camp prioritizes support and empowerment for students from historically excluded backgrounds while remaining open to all applicants.
Location: UC Berkeley (Berkeley, CA); UC San Diego (La Jolla, CA); Columbia University (New York, NY); University College London (London, UK); Alameda, CA (commuter); and online
Cost: Varies by workshop and format; residential and commuter options available
Acceptance Rate: Selective; application required (letter of recommendation required for some formats)
Dates: Multiple sessions offered in summer, winter, and online formats
Application Deadline: Varies by workshop and session
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18 (some online workshops open to ages 12–18)
The Molecular Medicine Workshops offer you an in-depth exploration of how molecular and cellular biology underpin human health and disease. Taught by PhD-level instructors, these camps combine engaging lectures with hands-on laboratory experiences that introduce experimental design, modern drug development, and personalized medicine. You study how normal biological processes become disrupted in disease and apply this knowledge to real-world medical and biomedical research contexts. Depending on the workshop, you may focus on areas such as cancer biology, neuroscience, immunology, aging, developmental biology, or bioinformatics, including AI-enhanced data analysis. University-based sessions allow you to experience campus life through residential or commuter formats, while online workshops provide flexible access to foundational and advanced topics. By the end of the workshop, you will have completed an original research project on a gene or molecular process of your choice.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,250 (early application) or $1,450 (regular); need-based payment waivers available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive; selective admissions
Dates: July 6 – August 1
Application Deadline: Early deadline: February 1; Final deadline: March 31 (rolling admissions)
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA above 3.0; at least one year of high school biology; no prior programming experience required
The RNA Institute High School Bioinformatics Summer Camp gives you in-depth training in RNA sequencing data analysis through a structured, project-based virtual program. Over four weeks, you learn core skills such as R coding, command-line computing, high-performance computing workflows, and RNA-seq data interpretation. The curriculum is centered on analyzing real neurodegenerative disease datasets, including conditions such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and myotonic dystrophy. You are supported by UAlbany-affiliated mentors through live daily lectures, small-group sessions, and seminars. Throughout the camp, you work toward an independent bioinformatics research project that you present at the end of the program, either virtually or in person at the RNA Institute’s annual RNA Day.
Location: BTC Institute, Madison, WI
Cost: $500; includes all materials, lunch, and snacks
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – June 26
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering 9th or 10th grade in the fall, or older students with a limited biology background
Camp Biotech I: The Wonders of DNA gives you a hands-on introduction to genetics and genetic engineering through a week-long laboratory experience. Designed for students with little to no prior biology background, the camp focuses on building a foundational understanding of DNA and how it is manipulated in modern biotechnology. You participate in guided lab activities such as building a physical DNA model, extracting DNA from cells, and transferring DNA into cells using heat shock transformation. The program also introduces you to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction enzyme analysis, helping you understand how scientists amplify and identify specific DNA sequences. Each activity is structured to build confidence with core lab techniques while reinforcing key biological concepts.
Location: BTC Institute, Madison, WI
Cost: $500; includes all materials, lunch, and snacks
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – July 10
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 who have completed one year of high school biology or Camp Biotech I
Camp Biotech II: The Wonders of Protein builds on foundational genetics concepts and introduces you to protein-focused biotechnology through hands-on laboratory work. During this one-week camp, you use genetic engineering techniques to create bacteria with new traits and analyze DNA sequences linked to protein expression. You also design protein expression experiments and learn methods for extracting proteins from cells. The curriculum emphasizes how genes and proteins work together in real biotechnology and research settings. Guest speakers from scientific and biotech backgrounds provide insight into current research and career pathways.
Location: BTC Institute, Madison, WI
Cost: $500; includes all materials, lunch, and snacks
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July 27 – July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering 11th or 12th grade; at least one year of high school biology recommended
Exploring Clinical Laboratory Science: From Molecules to Microscopes introduces you to how biotechnology is used in real clinical and diagnostic settings. During this five-day camp, you gain hands-on experience with techniques such as DNA extraction and analysis, PCR-based disease detection, and microscopic examination of cells. The curriculum connects molecular biology tools to patient care by guiding you through realistic diagnostic case studies. You also learn how clinical laboratories support healthcare decision-making and disease diagnosis. Throughout the camp, you interact with professionals working in medical laboratory science, pathology, and molecular diagnostics.
Location: Whitworth University (Spokane, WA) and Seattle Pacific University (Seattle, WA)
Cost: $645 (Whitworth non-members) or $595 (Whitworth members); $800 (SPU non-members) or $750 (SPU member institution employees); financial aid and early-bird discounts available
Acceptance Rate: Not specified; space-limited
Dates: One-week camps running June 22 – June 26 (Whitworth) and July 6 - August 14 (Seattle Pacific)
Application Deadline: Not explicitly specified; registration open until full (early registration recommended)
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12
Camp BIOmed is a week-long biotechnology and biomedical science camp where you dive into molecular biology, genetic engineering, microbiology, and bioinformatics through track-based labs. You choose from themed weeks such as cancer biology, genetic engineering, microbiology, CSI-style forensic DNA analysis, or a bioinformatics/genome science track that blends wet-lab techniques with computer-based sequence analysis. In the lab, you perform core biotech procedures like DNA restriction digests, PCR, ELISA, bacterial transformation, and microarray-style analyses, learning how these tools are used in modern research and medicine. Throughout the week, you interpret your experimental data in the context of real patient or global health case studies, building your scientific reasoning alongside your lab skills.
Location: Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, SC
Cost: $150 and a $50 nonrefundable deposit due at registration (includes camp materials, lab supplies, and lunches)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified; limited enrollment
Dates: July 13-16
Application Deadline: Typically early June; recent sessions list June 2 as the registration deadline
Eligibility: High school students (rising 9th–12th graders)
The Junior Genetics Scholars Camp high school session gives you a focused introduction to human genetics and genetic technologies through a week of hands-on lab work at a leading clinical genetics center. You explore how genetic disorders are diagnosed and studied by running experiments such as DNA testing in plants and animals, observing how environmental factors affect model organisms, and using choice chambers to investigate behavior and trait variation. Instructors guide you through the latest tools and techniques used in genetics labs, connecting each activity to real clinical or research questions in medical genetics. As you work through daily investigations, you also learn about careers in genetics and related biotechnology fields, seeing how laboratory discoveries translate into patient care and genetic counseling.
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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