15 Pediatric Summer Programs for High School Students

If you're a high school student interested in working with children or pursuing a career in pediatrics, a pediatric summer program can offer valuable early exposure. These programs often combine hands-on learning with academic enrichment, giving you insight into child development, pediatric care practices, and related health sciences. You might explore topics like developmental milestones, pediatric nursing, or childhood diseases, all while building practical skills through simulations, shadowing experiences, or collaborative projects.

Many pediatric summer programs are offered by universities, hospitals, and research centers, making them a strong and accessible option without the high cost of travel or long-term commitments. They can also help you make informed choices about future academic paths, especially if you're considering a pre-med or child-focused healthcare major. 

We’ve put together a list of 15 pediatric summer programs for high school students that offer strong foundations in this field.

15 Pediatric Summer Programs for High School Students

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid available

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective

Dates: Multiple cohorts, ranging from 12 weeks to 1 year, throughout the year

Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (Spring: January, Summer: May, Fall: September, Winter: November)

Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of at least 3.3/4.0; no prior knowledge in the field required

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.

2. VolunTEEN Program at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Location: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta centers

Cost/Stipend: No cost

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective

Dates: June 9 – August 1

Application Deadline: February 7

Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18

The VolunTEEN Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta gives high school students a structured way to explore the pediatric healthcare environment while supporting young patients and hospital staff. Over eight weeks in June and July, participants commit to volunteering one day a week for three hours, helping with non-clinical tasks in patient units, front desks, and play areas. You’ll engage children in games, crafts, and everyday summer activities that bring comfort and normalcy to hospital life. The program offers valuable exposure to healthcare careers and helps students build communication and teamwork skills. It's especially beneficial for students considering careers in pediatrics, child psychology, or nursing.

3. Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine: Achieve in Medicine

Location: NSU Davie/Fort Lauderdale Campus, FL, and NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Clearwater, FL

Cost: $1,600

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 50 students per session

Dates: NSU Davie/Fort Lauderdale Campus: Session 1: July 7 – 11 | Session 2: July 14 – 18 | NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus, Clearwater, FL: June 23 – 27

Application Deadline: Typically closes in May

Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors

The AIM High program at Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine is a five-day medical immersion experience for high-achieving high school students interested in health professions. The program covers a wide range of fields, including pediatrics, public health, neuroscience, occupational therapy, and pharmacy. Through over seven hours of daily sessions, students engage in hands-on activities like suturing, dissection labs, and emergency response training. Cutting-edge technologies like 3D modeling and augmented reality are integrated throughout the program. AIM High also includes mentorship from medical students, roundtable discussions, and social events that help participants build professional connections while exploring real-world applications of medicine.

4. Rady Children’s Hospital Summer Medical Academy

Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA

Cost: $3,000 (based on previous year’s program)

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective

Dates: Session 1: June 16 – June 27 | Session 2: July 7 – July 18

Application Deadline: February 21

Eligibility: Students ages 15–19 by June of the program year who have completed 9th grade

The Rady Children’s Hospital Summer Medical Academy offers high school students a comprehensive introduction to healthcare careers through lectures, hands-on skills clinics, group projects, and interactive discussions. Held in San Diego, the program exposes participants to a wide range of medical fields, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and social work. You will learn directly from healthcare professionals and engage in career panels that offer insight into different paths within the industry. The academy also offers flexible weekend sessions focused on specific medical careers, making it accessible to students with varying summer schedules. With its practical workshops and tailored programming, the academy provides a well-rounded glimpse into the world of pediatric and general healthcare.

5. Children’s National Summer High School Volunteer

Location: Children’s National Hospital, Washington, D.C.

Cost/Stipend: No cost

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective

Dates: June 23 – August 1

Application Deadline: Not announced; applications open in early February

Eligibility: Current high school students, age 15 or older, who are not seniors

The Children’s National Summer High School Volunteer Program offers a structured, two-week experience that combines volunteer service with career exploration in pediatric healthcare. Students support hospital operations by greeting visitors, assisting with wayfinding, and working with different departments under the guidance of the Volunteer Services team. Beyond volunteering, you will attend guest lectures, team-building events, and career workshops led by healthcare professionals. The program also includes a collaborative group project designed to improve patient experience at the hospital.

6. Children’s National Summer Child Life Volunteer

Location: Children’s National Hospital, Washington, D.C.

Cost/Stipend: No cost

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective

Dates: June 2 – August 15

Application Deadline: Not announced; applications open in early February

Eligibility: Students aged 18 years or older

The Children’s National Summer Child Life Volunteer Program is designed for high school students interested in becoming Certified Child Life Specialists. Under the supervision of experienced Child Life Services staff, volunteers help create play and normalization activities for pediatric patients, supporting their emotional and developmental needs during hospitalization. Each shift offers interaction with a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), giving students the chance to observe and assist in therapeutic play sessions. Volunteers also attend seminars led by CCLSs and receive guidance on the certification process. This program offers a focused, hands-on introduction to child life work within a pediatric healthcare setting.

7. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center—High School Summer Internship Program

Location: Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH

Stipend: $13/hour

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive

Dates: 8 weeks following orientation on June 3

Application Deadline: February 1

Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors residing in the Cincinnati area

This eight-week paid internship offers graduating high school seniors in the Cincinnati area a chance to gain hands-on experience in pediatric healthcare. As an intern, you will work 20 hours per week under the guidance of a mentor, engaging in clinical observation and research across a variety of pediatric specialties. Each student follows a personalized learning track, with opportunities to shadow in additional departments by request. The program includes weekly lunch seminars with healthcare professionals, hands-on training with simulated pediatric patients, and community service projects. It concludes with a student-led presentation reflecting on their individual experiences, offering valuable exposure to biomedical sciences and pediatric medicine.

8. Weill Cornell Medicine—Department of Pediatrics Summer Internship

Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, New York, NY

Stipend: Modest stipend upon completion (amount not specified)

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective

Dates: June 2 – August 8

Application Deadline: January 5

Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors

This full-time summer internship offers high school, college, and graduate students the opportunity to explore pediatric medicine through clinical, research, administrative, or patient education tracks. You can choose between a 6-week or 10-week option, during which they receive tailored mentorship from faculty and staff based on their interests. You may join programs such as Pediatric Epilepsy Research, Neonatal Virus Infections, Chronic Kidney Disease in Children, or Brain Development in Preterm Infants. 

9. Duke Summer Training in Academic Research (STAR) Program

Location: Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC

Stipend: $2,600

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective

Dates: June 23 – July 25

Application Deadline: January 3

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors

The Duke STAR Program is an intensive six-week research experience for high school students interested in medicine and science, with a strong emphasis on academic publishing. You will be placed in teams and matched with Duke faculty mentors to develop and carry out original, hypothesis-driven research projects. The program begins with two weeks of literature review and project planning, followed by several weeks of data analysis and manuscript writing. Students learn from experts in biostatistics, medical writing, and clinical research, and attend lectures on neonatology, pharmacoepidemiology, and antimicrobial therapy. A highlight of the program is the chance to qualify as a co-author on a peer-reviewed scientific publication. Participants over 18 may also shadow physicians during hospital rounds, gaining clinical exposure alongside their research work.

10. Children's Hospital Colorado Child Health Research Internship

Location: Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO

Stipend: $4,400

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive

Dates: June 2 – August 1

Application Deadline: Typically closes in February

Eligibility: High school seniors aged 18+ who are Colorado residents

The Child Health Research Internship at Children's Hospital Colorado is a nine-week summer program for high school seniors, college students, and early-stage medical students interested in pediatric medicine. You’ll be matched with faculty mentors from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and conduct hands-on research in fields such as neuroscience, hematology, neonatology, nutrition, and stem cell biology. Participants engage in lab-based projects, attend a weekly research lecture series, and present their findings through both written and oral presentations. The program emphasizes professional development and scientific communication, and offers funding support if a student’s research is accepted at a national scientific conference. 

11. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital—High School Research Immersion Program

Location: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN

Stipend: $4,800

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective

Dates: June 2 – July 25

Application Deadline: January 31

Eligibility: Current high school juniors (aged 16+) in the Memphis-Shelby County area or nearby counties in Tennessee, Mississippi, or Arkansas with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

The High School Research Immersion Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital offers rising seniors in the Memphis-Shelby County area an intensive eight-week experience focused on pediatric science and healthcare. Students work for 40 hours a week, in pairs under the guidance of research mentors in areas such as laboratory science, psychology, epidemiology, clinical research, or data science. Alongside their research projects, participants collaborate with science educators to reflect on the nature of science and craft personal statements for college applications. The program emphasizes both technical skill-building, like lab techniques and data analysis, and critical thinking about identity and inclusion in scientific spaces. Students conclude the program by presenting their work in a scientific poster session. 

12. Boston Leadership Institute—Pediatrics and Neonatology Medicine Program

Location: Bentley University and Gann Academy, Waltham, MA

Cost: $2,500 tuition (3 weeks), $2,097 residential (3 weeks)

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective

Dates: Three-week program starting in June/July

Application Deadline: Rolling application

Eligibility: High school students

The Boston Leadership Institute’s three-week Pediatrics and Neonatology program gives high school students interested in pre-med a focused, hands-on introduction to pediatric medicine. As a participant, you will explore topics such as newborn vital sign assessment, common childhood diseases, neurological disorders, and the distinctions between pediatrics and neonatology. The program emphasizes practical training, including infant CPR and AED certification on baby mannequins, and patient care practice using high-fidelity infant simulators. Students also engage in advanced simulations like delivering a baby using a realistic birthing simulator. 

13. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford

Location: Stanford University, CA (some remote work may be allowed with approval)

Stipend: $3,000 for students with demonstrated financial need

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 40 students

Dates: June 16 – July 25

Application Deadline: Typically closes in February

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, 16+ years old, living in Northern California. Check more details here

The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS) is a six-week summer research experience for rising high school juniors and seniors from Northern California. Designed for students with limited prior exposure to research, the program introduces participants to careers in science, medicine, and pediatric health through hands-on research projects in maternal and child health, guided by Stanford faculty and research teams. Students also attend workshops on research methods, college applications, leadership, and career exploration. PIPS emphasizes mentorship, pairing each student with Stanford undergraduates, graduate students, medical students, or residents for weekly check-ins and support. With approximately 30 hours of weekly engagement, the program aims to foster interest in the biological sciences and broaden access to research pathways.

14. Nicklaus Children's Hospital—Summer Youth Internship Program

Location: Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, FL

Cost/Stipend: No cost

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective

Dates: July 1 – August 2

Application Deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade high school students, ages 15–18, enrolled in a Miami-Dade County Public School

Offered in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the Nicklaus Children's Hospital Summer Youth Internship Program provides rising 10th–12th-grade M-DCPS students with a five-week, hands-on introduction to pediatric healthcare. Interns commit to at least 30 hours per week and are guided by both instructional and workplace supervisors. Before starting, students must complete a pre-internship online course. You’ll gain exposure to the day-to-day operations of a major pediatric hospital, earning academic credit based on performance and completion of academic assignments. 

15. Boston Leadership Institute Pediatrics One Week Summer Medicine Program

Location: Bentley University and Gann Academy, Waltham, MA

Cost: One-week tuition $699; one-week residential fee $699

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective

Dates: July 28 – August 1

Application Deadline: Rolling admission

Eligibility: High school students

This one-week summer program from the Boston Leadership Institute offers a fast-paced, hands-on introduction to pediatric medicine for high school students interested in pre-med. You will explore a wide range of topics, including childhood diseases like measles and mumps, mental health conditions such as autism, and critical issues like child abuse detection. Students also learn basic clinical skills, such as administering hearing, vision, and reflex tests, and performing medical screenings like blood pressure and respiratory rate checks. The curriculum covers pediatric-specific diagnostics and treatments, from neonatal intensive care procedures to adolescent health concerns like eating disorders and substance abuse. 

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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