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11 Online STEM Programs for High School Students

Writer's picture: Mandy BrennerMandy Brenner

Enrolling in an online STEM program in high school can help you build useful skills and enhance your profile for college applications. These programs, often led by experts from established institutions, offer a chance to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in depth.


By participating in an online STEM program, you expand your knowledge and develop skills that can come in handy while applying to research programs/internships in STEM later! Adding an online STEM program to your college admissions profile may help set you apart from other applicants as an intrinsically motivated student.


In this blog, we cover 11 awesome online STEM programs for high school students!


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.


Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.

Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring.

Cost: Full financial aid is available!


This program is tailored for high school students who want to explore their academic interests in depth, be it genome engineering, biology, or physiology. You'll have access to video lessons presented by Rice faculty and the opportunity to connect with mentors. The courses are accessible throughout the year, and the online format allows you to study at your own pace. After successfully finishing a capstone project, you'll receive a Certificate of Completion from Rice University. You will be able to utilize this project on resumes and future applications.


Eligibility: For students ages 13 and up.

Cost: Up to $1495.

Registration & program dates: Both applications and program dates are variable depending on which course you are applying to.


3. Veritas AI 

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. 


Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here. 


Location: Virtual

Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here. 

Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).

Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.

Application Requirements: Online application form, answers to a few questions about the student's background & coding experience, math courses, and areas of interest.


For independent learners, Carnegie Mellon’s Open Learning Initiative (OLI) courses offer a variety of STEM opportunities, ranging from Computer Science and Programming to Life Sciences to Mathematics and Logic. Each course incorporates interactive activities, assessments, and multimedia resources. The OLI Independent Learner Courses allow you to explore complex subjects. If you're seeking a high-quality, flexible online education experience, these courses would be an excellent option for you. This option is also more financially viable, as you will pay per course you take, with some being as affordable as $10.


Eligibility: High school students

Cost: Maintenance fee varies, but most cost $25 per student. They range from $10 to $80.

Registration & program dates: Both applications and program dates are variable depending on which course you are applying to.


Interested in exploring space colonization, crime scene investigation, AP® Calculus, web design, essay writing, and more? The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth’s (CTY) online courses can help you study these subjects beyond your school curriculum. With two online course formats, Session-Based and Individually Paced, you can tailor your learning experience to match your schedule and goals. Your instructor will provide personalized feedback on your assignments and conduct virtual meetings to help you master challenging concepts.


Eligibility: High school students.

Cost: Individually-Paced courses range from $955 to $1,555, and Session-Based courses range from $695 to $2,130.

Registration & program dates: Session-Based courses: Apply by January 9 to start January 22. Individually Paced courses: Apply anytime and start in 2 weeks.


6. EdX

EdX offers an online learning platform where you can access a wide range of courses from universities and institutions worldwide. With EdX, you have the opportunity to enhance your skills, explore new subjects, and advance your education at your own pace. You will engage with instructors through video lectures, interactive quizzes, and collaborative forums. You could take a STEM course from Harvard, MIT, UC Berkeley, and more here.


Eligibility: The eligibility requirements may vary depending on the course and the institution offering it.

Cost: Varies depending which course you take.

Registration & program dates: Both vary on which course you decide to take.


Code Wizards is an online program that offers interactive coding courses. As a member, you can explore Python, Java, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript through their tailored online STEM classes. They also offer 12-week-long classes with weekly sessions, homework help, course certification, and access to a proprietary coding platform. You may enroll any time before the beginning of a course and may enroll in more than one course at a time. See here for more.


Eligibility: 8-18 years old.

Cost: $447 per course.

Registration & program dates: Registration depends on which course you decide to enroll in. Program dates also vary depending on which course you choose.


Led by Stanford Educators and industry experts, Digital Media Academy focuses on practical technology courses exploring technology's intersection with various disciplines. Whether it's the integration of math in visual art or understanding how coding plays a role in game design, these courses demonstrate the connections between media and STEM. This program would be a great option for those interested in multiple academic disciplines.


Eligibility: K-12th grade.

Cost: Self-paced student courses are available for $100/course.

Registration & program dates: Applications and dates are on a case-by-case basis.


Snapology offers STEM programs for children and teens, incorporating technology and building toys like LEGO bricks and K’Nex. As a student, you can select from a range of classes on subjects such as astronomy, robotics, animation, and video game design. Their educational approach emphasizes learning through interactive activities. While Snapology provides after-school workshops and summer camps, it also offers online programs and opportunities to join competitive teams. This program is especially beneficial for those with special needs.


Eligibility: 3rd-12th Grade.

Cost: Prices vary depending on the class.

Registration & program dates: TBA


LaunchX helps young entrepreneurs transform their ideas into successful startups. The Online Entrepreneurship Summer Program is a program designed to help you and your peers start, solve, and ship your product in just 5 weeks. You’ll join high school students from around the world and be paired with other 'Launchies' who complement your skill set.


Eligibility: High school students.

Cost: $6,500.

Registration & program dates: Early Applications are due Jan 7, and the program takes place June 17-July 19.


Girls Who Code aims to enable women to overcome barriers in the tech industry by providing an inclusive environment. You will develop your coding and computer science skills through workshops, coding projects, and exposure to women leaders in technology. You will also gain a solid foundation in programming languages (like Python and Java) and computational thinking. Beyond coding, they foster confidence by nurturing a sense of belonging for girls in tech.


Eligibility: Ages 13-18.

Cost: Free.

Registration dates: You may register at any time.


Mandy Brenner is a current junior at Harvard University. She is concentrating in History and Literature and loves to read and write in her free time.


Image Source: Veritas AI logo

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