15 Online STEM Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- May 27
- 10 min read
If you’re a high school student interested in STEM, online summer programs offer a chance to explore college-level academics, gain practical experience, and connect with experts in the field. These programs provide exposure to real-world STEM applications, mentorship, and advanced projects—without the high costs of traditional in-person programs.
Many selective online STEM summer programs below are fully funded, making them accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. They can help you develop technical skills, strengthen your college applications, and expand your professional network. Whether you're interested in artificial intelligence, biomedical research, or engineering, there’s a program that aligns with your interests.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 15 top online STEM summer programs. Our selection is based on factors like academic rigor, networking opportunities, funding, low acceptance rates, and affiliation with prestigious institutions.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research opportunity designed for high school students looking to gain hands-on experience in academic research. The program offers one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. mentors, allowing you to work independently on a project within your chosen subject area.
Throughout the 12-week program, you will participate in rigorous research. By the end of the program you will produce a polished independent research paper. Areas of study include psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Fully remote, available to students worldwide.
Cost: Individual Research Program (12 weeks) - $2990; Premium Research & Publication Program (16-20 weeks) - $5900; Research Fellowship (6-12 months) - $8900.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective.
Application Deadlines: Deadlines vary by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).Program Dates: Programs run in Spring (March–June), Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), and Winter (December–February).
Eligibility: Open to high school students with strong academic performance (minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4). No prior knowledge in the chosen field is required.
2. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, founded and led by Harvard graduate students, offers specialized AI programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.
The AI Scholars Program is a 10-session boot camp designed for beginners, covering fundamental AI and data science concepts through hands-on projects.
If you are seeking more advanced experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase provides one-on-one mentorship from top university researchers. You can work on an individual AI-driven project and have access to Veritas AI’s in-house publication team to assist with research journal submissions.
Location: Fully virtual.
Cost: AI Scholars Program - $2,290 (10 weeks); AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase - $5,400 (15 weeks); Both Programs Combined - $6,900.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective.
Application Deadlines: Rolling basis – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November).
Program Dates: 12-15 week cohorts in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Open to high school students worldwide. AI Fellowship applicants should have prior AI knowledge, either by completing the AI Scholars program or through experience with AI concepts or Python
The MITES Semester is a fully funded, immersive STEM program for high school juniors, running from June to December. It offers an interactive online learning experience in subjects like Machine Learning, Thermodynamics, Astrophysics, Calculus, Physics, Computer Science, and Science Communication, focusing on academic growth and career development.
In addition to coursework, the program provides personalized college application support, including essay reviews, mock interviews, and school selection advice. You will also connect with admissions counselors at a dedicated college fair. The program culminates in an in-person conference at MIT, where you can network with peers, mentors, and STEM professionals.
Location: Online (with an in-person conference at MIT)
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Cost: Free (application required)
Program Dates: June – December
Application Deadline: Apply during the fall semester of junior year
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors with U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
The Carnegie Mellon AI4ALL program is a fully funded summer experience aimed at increasing diversity in artificial intelligence. Designed for rising juniors and seniors, the program offers a deep dive into machine learning, robotics, and AI ethics, guided by CMU faculty and researchers.
You will gain hands-on experience working with AI algorithms, coding platforms, and robotic systems, while exploring the ethical and societal implications of AI. The program fosters an immersive, collaborative environment, preparing students for future studies and careers in AI-related fields.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University (Online & On-Site Options)
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Contact Natalie Hatcher (nhatcher@andrew.cmu.edu) for details
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a background in STEM
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) is a neuroscience research program for high school juniors and seniors. It provides hands-on experience in neurological sciences through collaboration with leading neuroscientists on research projects. You will learn laboratory techniques, engage in scientific discussions, and develop professional skills.
The program offers both in-person and virtual options, making it accessible to students in different locations. You will participate in guided research, attend expert-led seminars, and receive mentorship from faculty. The internship concludes with a final presentation, where you will share your research through an oral or poster presentation.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate: Highly selective (5–6 students per cohort)
Cost: $500 stipend
Program Dates: July – August (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week program for high school students interested in AI applications in medicine. You will learn about the role of AI in healthcare through expert-led lectures, research collaboration, and mentorship with Stanford AI research engineers.
The program includes Virtual Career Lunch and Learns, featuring guest speakers from academia, nonprofits, and government sectors. While it does not offer academic credit, participants receive a certificate of completion at the end.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 application fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective, accepting only 20 interns per session
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 16 - 27
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 14 and older. Student leads must be California residents, while student interns must reside in the U.S. Undergraduate students with a background in computer science can apply for student lead positions.
The Summer Research Program at Columbia University offers high school students hands-on experience in data science. You will develop technical skills in data analysis, visualization, web scraping, data cleaning, and programming in R, while also learning research protocols and presentation techniques.
As a research assistant, you will work under the guidance of Columbia professors and Ph.D. candidates on active research projects. You will also develop your own research project and presentation, gaining experience that can strengthen college applications. This selective program is suited for students interested in practical research experience in data science.
Location: Virtual
Cost: To be announced
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Application Deadline: To be announced
Program Dates: 5 weeks during the summer (exact dates TBA)
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in data science
The NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Program offers high school students the chance to work on research and technology projects at NASA. You will collaborate with engineers and scientists on real-world challenges in space exploration, AI and machine learning for air traffic management, AR/VR applications, and robotics.
Internships are available in both virtual and on-site formats at NASA centers across the country. The program provides hands-on STEM experience, mentorship from NASA professionals, and access to advanced research environments. Some positions include stipends based on project scope and commitment. For a full list of available positions, visit the NASA OSTEM internship page.
Location: Virtual & on-site options at NASA centers
Cost: Free registration
Acceptance rate: Competitive, more than 2000 applicants per year
Application deadline: February 28 (Summer), May 16 (Fall)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
The NASA GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) Program is a four-week bioinformatics research internship. The program is focused on big data analysis, computational biology, and machine learning applications. Hosted by NASA’s Ames Research Center, the program trains you in omics-based research, analyzing biological data related to space environments.
You will take part in courses such as "Molecular Biology and the Omics Revolution" and gain hands-on experience with NASA’s GeneLab Data System. The program covers topics like organismal physiology in microgravity and NASA’s life sciences research. Additional opportunities include guest lectures, virtual field trips, and networking sessions. The internship concludes with a research competition, where top teams present at the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research conference.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate: Highly selective, approx. 30 students per cohort
Cost/Stipend: Free (Participants receive a small stipend)
Program Dates: June 2 - August 29
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old by December 31, entering junior or senior year in Fall, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have completed at least one high school biology course.
The Project SEED Summer Program provides high school students with hands-on laboratory research experience in chemistry. You will work on independent or team-based research projects under the guidance of mentors, culminating in a final report or poster presentation.
In addition to lab work, the program offers virtual camps focused on college preparation, professional development, and career exploration in chemistry. Exceptional students may have the opportunity to present their research at the American Chemical Society National Meeting. The program prioritizes supporting students from underrepresented communities.
Location: In-person labs at universities, government labs, and other facilities, with virtual research options also available.
Cost/Stipend: Free; interns receive up to a $4,000 stipend.
Acceptance Rate: 5%-10%
Program Dates: June–July (8–10 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 10 - April 12
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates who have completed at least one chemistry course and whose family income is at or below 300% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Online Program offers over 60 interactive summer courses for advanced high school students. You will explore subjects like computer science, mathematics, engineering, and bioscience in a rigorous, immersive learning environment.
While the courses are non-credit and ungraded, they emphasize analytical thinking and independent problem-solving. Hands-on projects include cryptography and genetics, where you will work with scientific software and real-world applications. Taught by expert instructors, the program provides a strong foundation for college-level academics.
Location: Online
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Cost: $ 3,080 per course
Program Dates: The program offers two sessions: Session One runs from Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 27, and Session Two takes place from Monday, July 7 to Friday, July 18.
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Advanced high school students (grades 8-11) with a strong academic record
The Johns Hopkins Online Programs offer high school students a self-paced introduction to engineering through hands-on experiments and coursework. The program includes three main courses: Engineering Innovation (EEI), Biomedical Engineering Innovation (BMEI), and Intro to Python, covering coding, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering principles.
You will complete independent projects and assignments, submitting work for evaluation every one to two days. The courses feature lab kits for hands-on experiments and virtual labs for applications like circuit design and chemical reactions. Optional live study sessions and an online discussion platform (Microsoft Teams) provide academic support and peer collaboration.
Location: Online
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Cost: The application fee for all programs is $50. EEI and BMEI each have a tuition of $3,800, with additional lab kit fees of $269.47 and $320, respectively. The Intro to Python program has an application fee of $25 and a tuition of $1,265.
Program Dates:The EEI program runs from June 30 to August 1, while the BMEI program runs from June 23 to August 1. The Intro to Python program offers two summer sessions: May 19 – June 30 and June 30 – August 11.
Application Deadline: May 17
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with As and Bs in math and science, completion of Algebra II and trigonometry, and a year of high school chemistry and/or physics with a lab.
The University of Pennsylvania Pre-College Program gives high school students the opportunity to take credit-bearing undergraduate courses in subjects like Oceanography, Calculus, and Ideas in Mathematics. The program emphasizes laboratory skills, data interpretation, and academic rigor, providing insight into Ivy League academics.
You will attend classes alongside Penn undergraduates, learning from faculty, staff, and visiting scholars. Most courses carry 1 credit unit (c.u.), while those with lab components typically offer 1.5 c.u. The program also integrates simulation software for exploring scientific theories and analyzing experimental results, offering hands-on research experience.
Location: Online
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Cost: $8248 to $13,448
Program Dates: Session 1 runs from May 27 to July 2, and Session 2 from July 3 to August 8.
Application Deadline: Session 1: March 30 and Session 2: April 27
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th high school juniors and seniors with minimum 3.5 high school GPA. Writing should show both technical skill and intellectual depth
The Summer@Brown Online Program offers over 80 courses inspired by Brown University’s Open Curriculum. It covers disciplines like Biological and Natural Sciences, Engineering, Medical and Health Studies, Physical Sciences, Literature, and Course-Based Research Experiences (CREs).
Courses are taught by innovative instructors and are available in various formats, including asynchronous, mostly asynchronous, and blended. The program offers an academic challenge without formal grades or credits, allowing you to explore college-level subjects in a flexible environment. Beyond coursework, you can participate in workshops and enrichment activities to deepen your learning experience.
Location: Online
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Cost: $3,218 – $6,238 depending on course duration
Program Dates: June 16 to July 25. Check here for specific dates based on course selections.
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: High school students worldwide who are in grades 9 to 12 and aged 14 to 18 by June 15
The Rosetta Institute’s Biomedical Research Workshops offer advanced training in molecular biology and bioinformatics, preparing you for careers in medicine, biotechnology, and biomedical sciences. These intensive courses allow you to gain hands-on experience in genetic analysis, molecular diagnostics, and medicinal chemistry.
Workshops cover topics like Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Medicinal Chemistry, and Medical Bioinformatics. You will engage in interactive online lab activities, data analysis, and discussions with experienced researchers. Each workshop is tailored to specific age groups and runs at different times throughout the summer.
Location: Online
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Cost: Intro to Cellular and Molecular Medicine: $510, Medicinal Chemistry: $670, and Medical Bioinformatics: $1070
Program Dates: Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Medicine runs June 9–20, Medicinal Chemistry from July 7–18, and Medical Bioinformatics from June 2–13.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in biology
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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