15 Science Internships for High School Students in Chicago
- Stephen Turban
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
If you're a high school student in Chicago interested in science, pursuing a science internship is a strong way to gain real-world experience and practical skills. These internships allow you to work alongside professionals in areas like biology, environmental science, data science, or STEM education and help you develop critical thinking and lab skills that look great on your resume.
Chicago hosts numerous in-person science internships offered by respected institutions, including The Field Museum, Fermilab, and the University of Chicago, providing access to industry professionals and cutting-edge projects. Through hands-on research, field studies, or lab-based work, you’ll gain a real sense of how scientific careers operate while building valuable connections.
For students exploring science as a potential future path, we’ve compiled a list of 15 science internships for high school students in Chicago, selected for their hands-on learning, mentorship, and access to industry professionals.
Location: Remote
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks.
The Ladder Internship STEM Track is an 8-week virtual program where high school students work with startups in fields like health tech, AI/ML, and deep tech. You will contribute to real-world projects while receiving mentorship from both a company manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. Interns gain hands-on experience in research, data analysis, communication, and project management, all within a fast-paced startup environment. Startups involved in the program typically have raised over a million dollars, offering exposure to cutting-edge innovation. The internship includes professional development workshops and ends with a final presentation to the partner company. Here is the application form.
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; a stipend will be provided.
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Chicago high school students aged 14-19 years old
After School Matters is a paid internship and apprenticeship program for Chicago high school students, offering hands-on experiences across various fields, including STEM, arts, leadership, athletics, and communications. As a participant, you'll collaborate on real-world projects both independently and in teams, guided by experienced professionals. The program is designed to help students explore career paths, build new skills, and connect with mentors. Depending on your level of participation and the program’s duration, you’ll also earn a stipend. Run by a nonprofit, After School Matters supports thousands of Chicago teens each year in preparing for college, careers, and life beyond high school.
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $500 taxable stipend
Dates: 2 weeks in the second half of July
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school student with a strong interest in a career in scientific research or medicine. Applicant must be a resident of Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana.
UChicago Medicine’s SHE in Oncology is a virtual, two-week summer program for high school students interested in science, medicine, and cancer research. Participants work on a genetics-based research project and a patient case study to explore the science and care of cancer. Aimed at empowering women and underrepresented students in biomedical fields, the program combines hands-on learning with professional development. The experience is enhanced through daily faculty lectures, panel discussions, and skill-building workshops. Students also gain exposure to biomedical career paths and build a network of peers and mentors.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5,600
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students residing and attending school in the Chicago area.
The DSI Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is an 8-week, paid research program open to high school students in the Chicago area who have a strong interest in data science. You will be paired with mentors and work on real-world research projects in areas like computer science, data science, social science, climate and energy policy, public policy, materials science, and biomedical research. The program offers hands-on training in data science methods, emphasizing collaboration, problem-solving, and professional development. The internship concludes with a professional-style video presentation of each student’s project, offering valuable experience in communicating scientific findings.
Location: There are AEOP locations in almost every state. Students may select their preferred location.
Stipend: Stipends vary based on the projects.
Dates: Summer Internships are generally 6-10 weeks in May – August.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents.
The AEOP High School Internships offer paid, full-time summer research opportunities at U.S. Army Research Laboratories and partner university centers, including some based in the Chicago area. Open to high school students with strong interests in STEM, this commuter-based program allows you to explore advanced topics in fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and military technologies. Interns work alongside professional scientists and engineers in high-tech labs, gaining firsthand experience with research practices, lab tools, and the culture of scientific inquiry. You’ll also receive formal mentorship, attend virtual sessions with peers and near-peer mentors, and sharpen your technical communication skills. The program culminates in the submission of a research abstract for publication in the AEOP Research Journal.
Location: Various locations across the United States
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: Start and end dates are flexible and determined by the selected student and their mentor.
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors at least 16 years old.
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid summer internship for high school students interested in fisheries science and aquatic ecology. The program pairs students with professional mentors for hands-on experience in research and conservation, including activities such as electrofishing, fish population surveys, water quality analysis, and specimen identification. As an intern, you may work in diverse settings, including laboratories, rivers, streams, boats, or hatcheries, depending on your mentor and region. All participants receive a $3,000 stipend and attend the Hutton Scholars Summit, where they present their work and connect with peers and experts across the country.
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Dates: 5 weeks from July – August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from across the United States.
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) – Virtual Experience is a free, five-week research program for high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds. Hosted by the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, the program introduces students to neuroscience through faculty-led seminars, virtual lab demonstrations, and one-on-one mentorship. You’ll gain exposure to topics such as neuroanatomy, cognitive neuroscience, and experimental design, while also learning lab techniques including imaging and electrophysiology. The program emphasizes professional development with sessions on scientific writing, research ethics, and career pathways in STEM. Participants complete a capstone project and receive a certificate upon successful completion.
Location: University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, Northwestern University, and Rush University
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: Second full week of June through the first week of August.
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, at least 16 years old, residents of Illinois or Lake County, Indiana.
ResearcHStart is a full-time, summer research program for high school students in the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign areas, offering hands-on experience in cancer research. Hosted by leading partner institutions, the program places students in research labs focused on cancer immunology, bioengineering, and experimental therapeutics. You’ll receive formal training in research methods, attend lectures from faculty experts, and take part in career development workshops. Throughout the program, you’ll work independently and in teams to contribute to real-world projects, analyze data, and present your findings. The experience concludes with a research symposium open to faculty, peers, and families.
Location: Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Stipend: Competitive stipend provided
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school junior aged 16 years or older.
The Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program at Northwestern University is a competitive six- to eight-week paid internship for rising high school seniors and college students interested in biological sciences. Interns are matched with faculty mentors to conduct basic or clinical research related to lung disease, contributing to ongoing projects in academic labs. The program includes full-time lab work, training in research methods, and professional development activities to support college or medical school goals. Participants also attend workshops on academic success and career pathways in science and medicine. The program concludes with a formal research presentation at the annual summer symposium.
Location: Various NASA centers in the country. There are also options for remote participation, depending on the project.
Stipend: Interns will receive a stipend depending on the academic level and session duration
Dates:
Summer Session: 10 weeks from late May or early June to August
Fall Session: 16 weeks from late August or early September to mid-December
Application Deadline:
Summer Session: February 28
Fall Session: May 16
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old by the time they apply.
The NASA OSTEM High School Internships provide paid, hands-on opportunities for students to contribute to real-world research projects at NASA centers nationwide. Interns work alongside NASA scientists, engineers, and technical staff on topics like aerospace systems, robotics, satellite communication, and data analysis. The program offers structured mentorship, technical training, and opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in a professional research environment. Students may participate in full- or part-time roles during the summer, depending on project needs and location. In addition to technical work, interns gain insight into NASA’s broader mission and future career paths in space science and technology.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $5,000 taxable stipend provided annually
Dates: 2-year program comprising two eight-week summer research experiences and monthly academic year activities. The summer research experiences generally run from the second full week of June through the first week of August.
Application Deadline: Typically in January
Eligibility: High school sophomore, junior, or senior, OR college freshman or sophomore, aged 16 years or older.
Chicago EYES on Cancer is a two-year cancer research training program for high school and college students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in biomedical careers. Hosted by the University of Chicago and funded by the National Cancer Institute, the program offers full-time summer lab placements with established cancer researchers. Participants gain hands-on research experience in basic, clinical, translational, or population-based cancer studies while also attending lectures, workshops, and career development sessions year-round. Each student receives ongoing mentorship from university faculty, research professionals, and peers, plus a $5,000 annual stipend. The program culminates in a research symposium where students present their work.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 (Fee waiver and scholarships available)
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: All high school students aged 14 years or above entering 9th to 12th grade; U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Preference for applicants with strong math or computer programming skills, or applicants with experience with a healthcare project.
The Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a free, two-week virtual program for high school students interested in applying artificial intelligence to medicine. Participants attend technical lectures on AI and machine learning, collaborate on hands-on group research projects, and receive mentorship from Stanford faculty, graduate students, and researchers. The program also includes career talks featuring experts from academia, industry, and government, offering insight into professional paths in AI and healthcare. The program is highly selective and provides an optional extended research opportunity for students who finish the initial session. Upon completion, students earn a Certificate of Completion.
Location: Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students
The Adler Planetarium’s Summer Internship provides high school students with an opportunity to gain professional experience and explore careers in STEM, museum operations, and leadership. Interns participate in real-world projects and engage in hands-on learning across various areas, including astronomy education, scientific communication, and public outreach. The program also emphasizes skill development in teamwork, networking, and personal growth. Participants collaborate with peers from across Chicago and are mentored by professionals at the museum.
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, Rockford, IL
Stipend: Stipend provided
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Illinois high school students aged 16 years or older. Check here to see if your high school is eligible for this program.
Hosted by the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, this two-month paid internship gives high school students hands-on research experience in biomedical science. You will work alongside scientists on projects related to cancer, vaccine development, and drug design, gaining exposure to the realities of lab-based medical research. The program focuses on both technical training and professional development, including resume writing, presentation skills, and leadership training. Interns are paired with mentors who offer guidance throughout the program and often continue to support students in future academic and career pursuits. With only five spots available annually, the internship is highly selective and has been running for over 35 years in partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Stipend provided
Dates: Fall session: September 15 – November 22
Application Deadline: Fall session: July 6
Eligibility: High school students (16+), undergraduates, and graduate students. Applicants under 18 must submit a parental consent form.
The Smithsonian Science Education Center offers a virtual internship for high school students interested in science communication and education. Interns contribute to real-world projects that support K–12 science learning on topics such as climate change, energy, biodiversity, and public health. Interns collaborate remotely with Smithsonian staff, gaining valuable skills in research, communication, and digital content development. Depending on their placement, students may help develop digital media content, write and edit educational materials, assist with video production, or design graphics for online learning platforms. The program also provides experience in managing social media and supporting web-based science tools.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we received over 4,000 student applications for 500 program spots. 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. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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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