11 Physics Internships for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Oct 15, 2023
- 10 min read
Updated: May 26
As a high school student keen on exploring a future in physics, you should consider doing an internship in the field. Internship experiences go beyond textbooks, allowing you to explore the practical aspects of physics.
In this article, we've gathered a list of 11 great physics internships for high school students that you can consider. These programs allow you to apply what you learn in the classroom to experiments. You'll work with scientists and faculty. Whether you're fascinated by quantum mechanics or curious about space, these internships offer a chance to explore your interests through practical learning. Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
If you are interested in research opportunities and competitions in physics, you can check the hyperlinked blogs out!
1. Ladder Internship Program - Astrophysics Track
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, US citizens or permanent residents, and will be graduating seniors in high school when the internship begins may apply. Students must obtain their own transportation to and from the Laboratory.
Application Deadline: March 15
Dates: 8-10 weeks in the summer (Monday-Friday) after graduation. Exact dates of the internship depend on the intern’s school schedule.
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: A stipend is offered. Information on the exact amount is not provided.
Selectivity: Selective.
If you’d like to work in a plasma physics lab under the guidance of professionals, the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory offers internships during the semester and summer periods for high school seniors (the summer after you graduate and before college begins). Internships in the fall or spring can count for academic credit. These internships are a chance to work on a project with a member of the laboratory’s research or engineering staff at one of the most prestigious institutions in the country. You will engage in a range of activities, from experimental work to computational simulations, gaining practical skills and insights into scientific research. You will have the opportunity to explore plasma physics, fusion energy, and related fields. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Eligibility: Students who are high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors at the time of application are eligible. Students applying must be enrolled in an Illinois high school and be US citizens or have permanent resident status.
Application Deadline: January 15
Dates: June 17 - August 2
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL. Transportation, housing, or meals will not be provided. Fermilab can help you with discounted rates for local hotels near the internship site.
Stipend: $16.20 per hour
Selectivity: Selective.
This 7-week summer internship program is for students interested in contributing to Fermilab research. Fermilab (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory) operates under the U.S Department of Energy’s Office of Science and is one of the country’s top labs for particle physics research. During the internship, you will work on projects involving particle physics, particle accelerators and detectors, computing, and quantum science to advance our understanding of the universe's fundamental nature. You will collect data through entrance and exit surveys, work on the team’s research abstract, and give oral presentations. Interns are encouraged to express preferences for specific areas of research. Projects will be in research areas that align with the mission of Fermilab and are described on the lab's webpage. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who will be at least 15 years old when the program begins, have a minimum GPA of 2.8, are US citizens, and have permanent residency in the Washington-Baltimore Metro area.
Application Deadline: June 9
Dates: October - May (Academic Year) | Last week of June - mid-August (Summer)
Location: In-person (90% or more at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory campus, Laurel, MD) | Hybrid (50% at APL campus, 50% remote) | Virtual (100% remote)
Stipend: This is an unpaid opportunity.
Selectivity: Competitive, but does not prioritize applicants with the highest GPA, the most STEM experience, or the strongest resume. The program seeks students who are enthusiastic, engaged, curious, and well-rounded, with strong critical thinking and communication skills. It also often looks for students with some programming knowledge.
The ASPIRE program is a holistic learning experience. The program offers two options – the intensive summer session and the longer academic year session. During the program, ASPIRE interns are paired with APL staff mentors to complete projects, solve problems, and apply technical and interpersonal skills in a professional environment. While you can’t select your mentor or the project you want to work on, you will be asked to choose your area of interest while applying. If you’re looking for a physics-focused internship, you may select ‘Applied Physics’ from the available areas of interest. This program aims to provide students with the opportunity to explore a subject in depth before committing to a specific area of study in college. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9 and will be at least 16 years old by the time the internship begins are eligible to apply. Graduating seniors are eligible as well. Check whether your preferred lab choice has any other requirements.
Application deadline: Applications open in August and close on November 1st every year.
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer.
Location: There are several lab locations
Stipend: $4,000 (new participant) | $4,500 (returning participant)
Selectivity: Competitive.
This program is an opportunity to work alongside researchers and engineers at Navy laboratories and facilities across the country on Naval research. During the program, you will receive mentoring from scientists and engineers. While working on projects, you will gain valuable knowledge and skills in various STEM disciplines. Based on where you’re located, you will have several Navy labs to choose from, and you can make a selection based on your area of interest as well. Nearly every lab option engages in research in the field of physics! SEAP is a highly competitive program, with only 300 placements available each year, and several students go on to pursue careers at the DoN. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Eligibility: Full-time high school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Application deadline: January (Fall) | August (Spring) | October (Summer)
Dates: Fall (16-week program, late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, late May or early June to August).
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities.
Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.
Selectivity: Selective.
NASA internships are a unique opportunity for high school students to contribute to projects ongoing at the agency under the guidance of a NASA mentor. The program provides training, mentoring, and career development opportunities alongside the chance to work with the best science, engineering, financial, information technology, and business professionals in the world. The internships are offered in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, and technology. During this internship, you may design experiments, analyze data from space missions, or develop new technologies. All internships part of this program are posted here. For tips on getting a NASA internship as a high schooler, check out our complete guide here.
Eligibility: Interns for in-person, remote, or hybrid internships in computer labs must be 15 years or older by June 20. Interns for "wet-lab" in-person or hybrid internships must be 16 or older by June 20.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close at the beginning of February.
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, tentatively mid-June to mid-August.
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. Housing is not provided for minors.
Stipend: This is an unpaid opportunity. There is a $25 application fee, which can be waived.
Selectivity: Moderate.
This program offers a research experience for students interested in pursuing a career in STEM. During the internship, you will work one-on-one with faculty researchers at the university and its affiliated institutions, and learn to use cutting-edge technology in various disciplines. Scientific areas of focus include spatial sciences, mathematical modeling, physics, renewable energy, micro- and nano-manufacturing, robotics, and other related fields. As an intern, you will refine your scientific writing and communication skills and explore STEM career options through discussions with role models. You will also have the opportunity to publish your work in scientific journals and present at conferences. Take a look at some of the ASSIP abstracts in the Mason Journal of Student Scientists Research. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or above, with a GPA of 3.0 or above, can apply.
Application deadline: No information is available.
Dates: Your internship manager will decide the duration and schedule.
Location: Livermore, CA
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend commensurate with their work.
Sandia is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). Internships at these laboratories provide an opportunity to gain experience in a cutting-edge research environment. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced scientists and engineers on projects that contribute to technological advancements. Through this program, you have the chance to explore various STEM disciplines, including engineering, computer science, physics, and more, under the guidance of your manager. You will participate in research and development activities, collaborate with professionals, and gain insights into the scientific process. Sandia conducts research in a wide range of subject areas, including Physical Science, High Energy Physics, Radiation, Fusion Energy, and Plasma Physics. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Eligibility: Sophomores or juniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher enrolled in an Illinois high school who are eligible to work in the US.
Application Deadline: January 15
Dates: June 17 - July 26
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL. Transportation, housing, or meals will not be provided.
Stipend: $16.20 per hour
Selectivity: Competitive.
This program is a highly competitive six-week summer internship opportunity for students in Illinois who show a strong aptitude for physics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering. Annually, the TARGET Program cohort is approximately 15-25 interns. During the program, interns work with scientists and engineers at Fermilab on research being conducted at one of the country’s top particle physics laboratories. Fermilab employs a range of techniques, poses different questions, and utilizes various tools. Your work will be conducted at state-of-the-art lab facilities, covering subjects such as particle physics and quantum science. If you have further questions, explore the program FAQs. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
Eligibility: Juniors or seniors in high school with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are US citizens.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in December and close by mid-February.
Dates: Typically from the third week of June to the second week of August.
Location: National Institute of Standards and Technology laboratories, Gaithersburg, MD.
Stipend: This is an unpaid opportunity.
Selectivity: Fairly competitive.
In this 8-week internship program, you will learn from top scientists at NIST and work on your own research project. A relatively competitive program, SHIP gives you a chance to work with NIST staff scientists and engineers on a research problem. NIST research is divided into six organizational laboratories that conduct research in a range of physical and engineering sciences. The labs respond to industry needs for measurement methods, tools, data, and technology. Here are some examples of subjects you could conduct your research in—semiconductor and organic electronics, advanced nanomaterials (such as structural steels and complex fluids), alternate fuels, lightweight alloys for manufacturing, atomic, molecular, and optical physics. Take a look at previous SHIP students’ research projects.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 for the current school year are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: Usually early April.
Dates: Varies (generally 8-12 weeks between June and August)
Location: Seattle, Washington or remote
Stipend: A maximum stipend of $500 is offered.
Selectivity: Selective.
Spark SIP connects students to internships in different disciplines, many of them STEM-focused, with industry experts, educators, and mentors in Seattle, Washington. The exact internship requirements vary depending on the partner organization; however, there is a standard application process, and you can apply for up to five projects. Spark SIP offers students the opportunity to learn from and connect with industry professionals while undertaking research. The program requires students to work full-time (30-40 hours per week) for 8-12 weeks throughout the summer. Previous internships include 2D Materials - A new class of conductors and semiconductors for future, Interfacing and Visualizing Data, Preparing Python script for crossbar architecture and Quantum - Technical Writing and Problem Solving. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here.
If you are interested in doing university-level research in physics, then you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students that I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 2100 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.
Image Source: PPPL logo