15 In-person Chemistry Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 18 hours ago
- 11 min read
If chemistry is a subject you enjoy, an in-person program can help you explore that interest. Chemistry involves experimentation, measurement, and careful analysis. An in-person chemistry program allows you to experience that process directly. You may conduct supervised experiments, analyze reaction results, or explore topics such as organic chemistry or materials science in greater depth. Being physically present in a lab helps you understand how procedures are followed step by step. You also gain exposure to the expectations of scientific work beyond school labs.
Why should I participate in an in-person chemistry program in high school?
Participating in an in-person chemistry program gives you early exposure to how laboratory science operates. You will learn to follow detailed procedures, measure substances accurately, document results carefully, and understand how small variables can change outcomes. Working in a structured lab environment builds habits that matter in advanced STEM study, including precision, patience, and systematic problem-solving. These programs can also strengthen your college applications by giving you specific lab techniques, projects, or experiments to reference, making your interest in chemistry more concrete.
With that, here are 15 in-person chemistry programs for high school students!
Location: Multiple sites across the U.S.
Cost: Free; A stipend is provided (Approx. $4,000)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 350 students supported annually nationwide
Dates: 8–10 week summer research program (varies by site)
Application Deadline: Applications open February 6
Eligibility: High school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds
The ACS Project SEED Program is a highly respected, fully in-person summer research initiative run by the American Chemical Society that provides you with hands-on laboratory experience alongside professional chemists. During the program, you will be matched with a mentor in academia or industry and work on a chemistry research project, gaining exposure to experimental design, lab techniques, and scientific problem-solving. In addition to research, Project SEED emphasizes college readiness and professional development through structured support, webinars, and career exploration activities. You also gain insight into chemistry-related career paths and the role of science in addressing real-world challenges.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Tuition-based; cost varies by location and session; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small-group cohorts of 7–10 students
Dates: Two-week sessions during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (multiple summer cohorts)
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
Immerse Education’s Chemistry Track offers you an immersive, in-person academic experience designed to simulate life at a top global university while exploring core concepts in chemistry. You live on campus and study in small seminar-style groups led by tutors affiliated with leading institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge. The program emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging you to engage with chemical principles through discussions, problem-solving, and independent exploration. Throughout the two weeks, you work toward a personal academic project that allows you to deepen your understanding of chemistry while developing research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Faculty feedback and mentorship are built into the experience, helping you refine your academic interests and strengths. By the end of the program, you will receive written evaluations and a certificate of completion.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; $1,000 stipend upon successful completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies across 50+ participating labs
Dates: June 1–August 14
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools
ARISE is a highly regarded, fully funded 10-week summer research program that provides New York City high school students with authentic, mentored research experience in science and engineering. During the first four weeks, you will complete foundational training in laboratory safety, research methods, college-level writing, and scientific communication through workshops and remote sessions. In the final six weeks, you are placed in one of more than 50 NYU research laboratories, where you work alongside faculty, graduate students, and professional researchers on real-world STEM projects. You gain approximately 120 hours of hands-on lab experience while contributing meaningfully to ongoing research across fields such as bioengineering, chemistry, environmental science, machine learning, materials science, and urban systems.
Location: Advanced Materials Research Institute (AMRI), University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free to attend; $2,000 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students who live and attend school within 40 miles of the University of New Orleans
The AMRI High School Summer Research Program is an intensive, full-time research experience that places you directly into active university research laboratories alongside nationally and internationally recognized scientists. Over eight weeks, you will work independently or as part of a research team on exploratory projects spanning chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, neuroscience, and computational modeling. Research topics frequently include nanomaterials, catalysis, battery materials, environmental remediation, sensor technologies, 3D printing, and thin-film deposition, giving you exposure to both fundamental and applied research. In addition to daily lab work, you participate in weekly seminars and tutorials covering ethics in science, laboratory safety, career pathways, and advanced research techniques such as electron microscopy and crystallography.
Location: Multiple mentor sites across Oregon (primarily Portland Metro, Albany, Corvallis, and Eugene areas; in-person and limited remote options)
Cost: $40 application fee (waived for students eligible for financial aid or Free & Reduced Lunch); stipend of $500–$1,500 based on total internship hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~75–130 interns selected annually from 400+ applicants
Dates: 8–10 weeks between mid-June and late August
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders; U.S.-based students
The Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering (ASE) Internship Program is a competitive, full-time summer research and industry internship that places you with professional mentors in real-world STEM environments. During the program, you will contribute to projects in fields such as chemistry, biology, medicine, environmental science, engineering, computer science, mathematics, or physics. Internships are mentor-driven and may take place in university labs, hospitals, government agencies, or private research organizations. In addition to daily project work, you participate in required ASE programming, including an orientation, a midsummer conference featuring technical workshops and career talks, and a final symposium where you deliver a formal 15-minute presentation evaluated by professional scientists or engineers.
Location: Department of the Navy (DoN) laboratories nationwide
Cost: Paid; $4,000 stipend for first-time participants and $4,500 for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~300 apprentices placed annually
Dates: Eight-week summer internship
Application Deadline: August 1 - November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least 9th grade, are 16 years or older, and are U.S. citizens (graduating seniors eligible)
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a prestigious, paid summer research internship that places you in active Department of the Navy laboratories to work on real-world scientific and engineering challenges. Over eight weeks, you will collaborate with Navy scientists and engineers on research projects spanning fields such as chemistry, materials science, physics, engineering, environmental science, computer science, and applied mathematics. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to projects involving chemical materials testing, corrosion prevention, fuel systems, environmental monitoring, or advanced manufacturing technologies. SEAP is highly competitive and nationally recognized, making it a strong credential for students interested in careers in chemistry, engineering, or applied science.
Location: NIST campuses in Boulder, CO, or Gaithersburg, MD
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by laboratory
Dates: June 16–August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) offers you the opportunity to conduct in-person research at one of the United States’ leading federal science laboratories. During the eight-week internship, you will work alongside NIST scientists and engineers on research projects across disciplines such as chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, computer science, and environmental science. Interns are placed within one of NIST’s six research laboratories, including the Material Measurement Laboratory, Physical Measurement Laboratory, or Engineering Laboratory, depending on academic interests and availability. If you are interested in chemistry, placements in the Material Measurement Laboratory allow you to contribute to projects involving alternative fuels and refrigerants, environmental pollutants such as microplastics, advanced materials development, and chemical measurement standards used worldwide.
Location: Greater Boston area
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not applicable; schools participate by request
Dates: Annually during the spring semester
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle school and high school students attending participating schools in the Greater Boston area
The MIT Chemistry Outreach Program brings interactive, in-person chemistry demonstrations directly to middle and high school classrooms, offering students early exposure to core chemical principles through engaging, visually driven experiments. Led by MIT graduate students, the program is designed to show you how chemistry connects to everyday life, medicine, and scientific innovation. During a 40–50 minute session, students explore topics such as chemical reactions, acids and bases, polymers, temperature, and the chemistry of light through live demonstrations like the oscillating clock reaction and nylon synthesis. Each presentation concludes with a Q&A session, allowing students to interact directly with MIT researchers and ask questions about chemistry and scientific careers.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohort
Dates: June 15–June 26
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16+ who live and attend school in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, or San Mateo counties
The Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS) program is a competitive, two-week, in-person chemistry enrichment experience hosted by Stanford University. Rather than focusing on a single independent research project, IFSS allows you to shadow multiple graduate students in Stanford’s chemistry department. This gives you broad exposure to a range of cutting-edge chemical research areas, techniques, and career paths. Throughout the program, you observe lab work, engage in discussions with researchers, and learn how graduate students design experiments, troubleshoot challenges, and communicate scientific ideas.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Tuition-based; scholarships available for select Philadelphia students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 11–August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (space-limited)
Eligibility: Current 10th–11th grade students; completion of at least one year of high school chemistry required
The Chemistry Research Academy at the University of Pennsylvania is a three-week residential program focused on laboratory-based chemical research. About half of your time is spent in lab sessions where you work with techniques such as spectroscopy and gas chromatography, refine synthetic procedures, and solve experimental problems. The curriculum reflects current research areas within Penn Chemistry, including nanoscale materials, coordination chemistry, protein modification in disease contexts, and rare earth metal systems. Outside the lab, you participate in structured lessons, journal discussions, and research talks led by faculty and graduate students. The academy concludes with a capstone project in which you design and present an independent chemistry research proposal.
Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: $5,200 total (includes tuition, room, board, activities, and field trips); $75 non-refundable application fee; $300 non-refundable enrollment fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Session I: June 6–20; Session II: June 27–July 11
Application Deadline: Applications open October 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; must be at least 16 years old by August 1; completion of one year of high school chemistry required
Exploring the World of Chemistry is a two-week, residential Summer Scholars course at the University of Notre Dame that introduces you to core concepts and real-world applications of modern chemistry through immersive laboratory experiences. The program allows you to learn in chemistry labs, where you use modern instrumentation to conduct experiments spanning organic, analytical, and general chemistry topics. Laboratory work is central to the course, helping you connect theoretical principles from lectures to practical scientific investigation. Through guided experiments and discussions, you explore how chemical structures, reactions, and analytical techniques are used to understand and solve real-world problems.
Location: Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA); Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, CA); Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, NY) — in person (residential or commuter)
Cost: $6,717–$7,801 depending on location and residential status; financial aid available; $55 CTY membership fee and $75 in-person registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typical class size of 18–20 students
Dates: Summer A: June 28–July 17; Summer B: July 19–August 7 (varies by location)
Application Deadline: May 11 - June 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11 who meet CTY quantitative identification requirements
Chemistry in Society is an immersive, in-person summer course offered through Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth that explores how chemistry is used to solve real-world problems. Through laboratory experiments and simulations, you will study foundational concepts such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, and the periodic table while applying them to issues like water quality, alternative fuels, food chemistry, and pharmaceuticals. In the lab, you conduct calorimetry experiments, synthesize biodiesel and aspirin, analyze water samples for potential toxins, and explore the chemistry behind everyday products. The course also includes activities such as a simulated town hall debate focused on preserving a community water source.
Location: Roger Williams University (Bristol, RI) and Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, CA) — in person (residential or commuter)
Cost: $6,717–$7,801, depending on location and residential status; financial aid available; $55 CTY membership fee and $75 in-person registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typical class size of 18–20 students
Dates: Summer A: June 21–July 10 or June 28–July 17, Summer B: July 12–July 31 or July 19–August 7, (varies by location)
Application Deadline: May 11 - June 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11 with Quantitative Advanced CTY identification; successful completion of Algebra I or Honors Algebra I is required
Fast-Paced High School Chemistry is an intensive, in-person course offered through Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth that condenses a full year of introductory high school chemistry into a single summer session. Designed for advanced students preparing for AP or IB Chemistry, the course covers core topics including atomic theory, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, acids and bases, kinetics, equilibrium, and introductory organic chemistry. A major emphasis is placed on laboratory work, with at least 20 hours spent conducting experiments such as acid-base titrations, percent composition analysis, reaction yield comparisons, molar mass determination of gases, and reaction rate investigations. Through hands-on experimentation, you develop strong quantitative reasoning and analytical chemistry skills while reinforcing theoretical concepts.
Location: Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), Weatherford, OK
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 36 students per site
Dates: June 8–July 13
Application Deadline: Domestic applicants: February 21; international applicants: January 24
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (completed or completing a full year of high school chemistry by June); ages 15–18 during the program
The Summer Science Program in Synthetic Chemistry is a five-week residential research program centered on advanced organic and inorganic synthesis. Working in teams of three, you complete a multi-step de novo synthesis of macrocyclic compounds and transition metal complexes. The coursework begins with core concepts from Organic Chemistry I and II and progresses into upper-level coordination and inorganic chemistry. In the lab, you use techniques such as chromatography, vacuum distillation, Schlenk line and glovebox methods, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and cyclic voltammetry. You analyze reaction outcomes, interpret characterization data, and adjust procedures when results differ from expectations. Faculty and professional chemists supervise the work throughout the program.
Location: Garcia Center for Polymers at Engineered Interfaces, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $4,000 laboratory usage fee; housing and meals not included
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small research cohorts
Dates: June 24–August 7
Application Deadline: February 23
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ with a minimum unweighted GPA of 95/100 (3.8/4.0)
The Garcia Center Research Experience for High School Students is a seven-week summer research program where you conduct an original, mentor-guided project in a university lab. You will work with faculty, graduate students, and research staff on topics that include materials science, chemistry, physics, engineering, or nanotechnology. The program combines structured instruction with independent laboratory work, requiring you to design experiments, collect and analyze data, and document results in formal scientific writing. You operate within an active research environment and are expected to manage your project with increasing independence over the course of the summer. Some students continue their work during the academic year through the Center’s Mentor Program, extending their research beyond the initial session.
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.
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