8 Math Internships for High School Students
- Trisha Malhotra
- Mar 1, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 15
Completing internships in high school provides students with real-world work experience, allowing them to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to practical situations. Doing an internship demonstrates initiative and a proactive approach to learning. Moreover, early exposure to applications of math through internships can positively impact a student’s college application. Proficiency in math is often considered a strong indicator of analytical and logical reasoning skills, which are essential in many academic disciplines.
Demonstrating advanced math skills by completing a challenging internship showcases a student’s intellectual curiosity. Additionally, strong math skills are often required for admission to competitive programs, especially in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Overall, doing a math internship enhances a student’s academic profile, contributing to a competitive college application.
In this blog, we have curated 8 math internships for high school students. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded, stipend provided, $40 application fee with a need-based refund.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
Application Deadline: TBA.
Program Dates: 6 weeks, specific dates to be announced
Eligibility: High School Juniors only (U.S. and International)
Each year, RSI welcomes 100 talented high school students to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Approximately twelve RSI students engage in mathematics research projects. The MIT Mathematics Department's Faculty Advisors for RSI pair each student with a mathematics graduate student mentor who shares their interests. Working with an MIT faculty advisor, the graduate student mentor formulates a research project tailored to the student’s strengths and interests. The RSI faculty advisors overseeing math projects are Prof. David Jerison and Prof. Ankur Moitra. We’ve detailed how you can build a strong application to get into RSI here.
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded, stipend provided.
Location: Kirtland/AMOS, Eglin/Hurlbert air force bases
Application Deadline: This may vary based on the AFRL sites and/or projects.
Program Dates: Varies from project to project, but you can expect it to be during the summer months for 9 weeks.
Eligibility: High schoolers with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale who are US citizens and have a valid driver’s license. You must also be eligible to work 40 hours a week for summer internship positions.
The AFRL program presents an enriching summer opportunity for upper-level high school students with a keen interest in aerospace engineering. You’ll benefit from mentorship by AFRL scientists and engineers, laboratory tours, and hands-on involvement in research. You may explore aerospace and mechanical design, focusing on cutting-edge technologies like morphing aircraft. Ensure you filter for opportunities tailored to high school students. As a math-focused participant, you might find yourself contributing to areas like data structures for advanced satellite navigation signals or experimental navigation satellite signals simulation and testing. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Cost/Stipend: Fully-funded
Location: Hybrid (On-site experience at the University of Austin, Texas campus)
Application Deadline: February 24
Program Dates: May 1 — Aug 4 (sophomores); May 1 — July 20 (juniors)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who hold U.S. citizenship can apply.
For high school students interested in mathematics, the SEES competition is a prestigious opportunity. Hosted by UT Austin in collaboration with NASA, this national-level internship program offers the chance to collaborate with NASA experts, exploring Earth and space research. You will play a crucial role in analyzing and visualizing data. The program incorporates a virtual learning component, providing an opportunity to enhance your mathematical skills for research. Following the virtual phase, there is an onsite experience at the University of Texas, Austin. One of the highlights is the chance to present your research at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded. Students only pay for their transportation to and from MIT.
Locations: MIT campus in Cambridge, MA, and Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA.
Application Deadline: March 7
Program Dates: July 14—July 27
Eligibility: Open to rising seniors who hold US citizenship.
For math enthusiasts with an interest in radar systems, MIT’s LLRISE program provides an ideal internship opportunity. Throughout July, this program focuses on giving participants the skills to construct small radar systems, including Doppler and range radar. This experience offers the chance to work alongside scientists and engineers, exploring the mathematical principles that underpin radar technology. Conducted at two locations — the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA, and Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA — the workshop provides a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Cost/Stipend: No application cost. A stipend is provided based on academic level and session length.
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Students may select roles based on the cities they are in.
Application deadline: The office also offers internships in the Summer, Fall, and Spring, deadlines for which are different. Check for updates!
Eligibility: Internships are available for full-time high school students who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement and are US citizens.
Program dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions — Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August) | Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) |
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagements provides paid internships at its various locations nationwide, presenting an opportunity for high school students interested in mathematics. Participants have the chance to collaborate on projects within the agency, working with a NASA mentor. Internships within this program cover a spectrum of math-related subjects and disciplines, offering exposure to areas such as applied mathematics, data analysis, and mathematical modeling. This opportunity is an example of a NASA internship for students interested in math, particularly data visualization, modeling, and analysis. To learn more about NASA's high school internships, check out our blog here.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Fall and Spring fellows receive a stipend of $2,500 along with an additional $1,000 allocated for conference or workshop attendance. Summer fellows, with an intensive 8-week commitment, enjoy a stipend of $5,200, housing at the UMD College Park campus, $1,000 for conference or workshop attendance, and an additional $500 to cover travel for those outside Washington DC.
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the Spring, or Fall, and 8 weeks in Summer. Specific dates are unspecified.
Eligibility: Fall and Spring fellows must be UMD College Park students or students at a local institution able to commute to campus while Summer fellows can be from anywhere. Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents (non-U.S. persons may apply but cannot receive a stipend).
Although the MathQuantum Summer Research Program is a fellowship, it offers an internship stipend, research, and one-on-one mentorship at no application cost. This program caters to mathematics students who want an introduction to quantum information science (QIS) and those with varying levels of experience in QIS. For individuals with a background in mathematics but limited exposure to quantum information science, the program serves as a gateway into this research area. The program prioritizes professional development and networking, focusing on broader impacts, proposal writing, and personalized career mentoring.
Cost/Stipend: No cost, the program provides a $750 stipend. On-campus meals, room and board, and weekend activities/programming are covered. Travel to and from the program location and personal and medical expenses are not covered.
Location: Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: TBA
Eligibility: At least 17 years of age by the program start date (U.S. and International)
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University provides an exceptional opportunity for 12 highly qualified high school juniors and seniors. This 7-week summer research internship allows you to choose a subject of your interest, including mathematics. You will collaborate with faculty members on a research project. With mentorship, you can tailor your research project to incorporate mathematical principles and methodologies. To learn more about this highly competitive program, check out our complete guide here.
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee, no stipend provided
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: June 17 — August 9
Application Deadline: March 1st
Eligibility: Must be currently a high school junior or senior during the school year (i.e. 11th or 12th grade at the time of application), must be at least 14 by June 17.
SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is a prestigious virtual internship opportunity for high school students that blends the traditional boundaries between STEM and Humanities subjects. Participants will work on interdisciplinary research projects in groups. Guided by mentors from the Stanford Compression Forum and affiliated organizations, you can explore the application of mathematics across diverse disciplines. You may work in mathematical modeling, data analysis, and algorithm development within the context of information and communication sciences. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
One more option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in doing university-level research in mathematics, then you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, over 4000 students applied for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here. Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.
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.
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