15 Science Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 day ago
- 12 min read
Structured science programs can be a great way to dive into your interests and learn beyond the high school curriculum. These programs allow you to explore core and niche topics in the sciences while participating in projects, connecting with professors and STEM professionals, and pursuing professional and personal development opportunities. As a participant, you may gain early exposure to research facilities, university classrooms, or STEM workplaces. You will also get a taste of advanced STEM coursework and/or field, which can help you make informed decisions regarding your college major!
To help you with your search, we have compiled a list of 15 science programs for high school students.
If you are looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
15 Science Programs for High School Students
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~2.5%; 100 students/year
Program dates: June 28 – August 8
Application deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the RSI academic prerequisites
RSI is a free, competitive summer program that provides high school juniors with hands-on research experiences in science and engineering. You will begin by attending STEM classes led by faculty and research seminars covering research areas. Then, you will be matched with a faculty/researcher/scientist mentor to work on an individual research project in a field of interest, which can be physics, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, or any other scientific area. You will gain insight into the principles and structure of a scientific theory, learn how to read scientific literature, draft a research plan, fine-tune it, and deliver a conference-style oral and written presentation at the end of the program. Outside the lab, you will participate in field trips to local attractions and science and tech facilities and build connections with MIT faculty, professional researchers and scientists, and alumni.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts, are scheduled each year
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
This is a virtual research program meant for high school students who want to explore an area and topic of interest in absolute detail. Here, you will get to work one-on-one with a Ph. D.-level mentor on an independent research project. You can choose research topics from a wide range of subjects, including biology, health, computer science, physics, chemistry, psychology, and data science. Within the chosen track, you will finalize a research question with support from your mentor and also work with a writing coach to present your findings. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can find more details about the application and available program formats here.
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. within a 45-minute commuting distance of the student's home
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: June – August (eight weeks with a flexible schedule)
Application deadline: January 25; applications typically open on November 21.
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen who are at least 16 years of age by June 1; students can be residents of the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and the Pacific Islands.
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid learning experience designed for high school students interested in learning about the work of fisheries scientists. You will be matched with a mentor at a local host site to gain extensive hands-on learning experiences through a summer internship. Depending on the host organization, you may take on field work like conducting surveys of fish populations, electrofishing, setting up a fish habitat with aquatic plants, and testing the water quality. In the lab, you will learn how to use a microscope to examine specimens and analyze data. You may also get an opportunity to assist in organizing educational programs for children. You will build connections with fisheries professionals, develop professional skills, and gain awareness of career opportunities in fisheries science during the program.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Program cohorts run all year; the AI Scholars runs for 10 weeks, and the AI Fellowship program runs for about 12 to 15 weeks
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; the AI Fellowship program accepts previous AI Scholar participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
Location: Virtual or at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available; no stipend
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP, hosted by George Mason University, offers on-campus and virtual research internships in various STEM fields, including engineering, medicine, biology, biochemistry, data science, computer science, neuroscience, and physics. You can choose a mentor offering a suitable research format within your chosen science track. Over the course of eight weeks, you will contribute to research, work with lab tools, learn how to review scientific literature, and refine your scientific writing and communication skills. During the program, you will also learn about career paths in the sciences through discussions led by professors and STEM professionals. The program ends with a symposium, where you will learn about all the research conducted at ASSIP over the summer.
Location: Training sessions at Columbia University, Morningside and Manhattanville campus, New York, NY + virtual weeknight seminars + summer internships at research labs/healthcare facilities
Cost/Stipend: Free; internship stipend available (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: The information is not available
Program dates: April 4 – June 27 (Training) | July 6 – August 14 (Internships)
Application deadline: January 22
Eligibility: Students in grades 11 – 12 attending a NYCDOE public school/charter high school who demonstrate educational and/or economic disadvantage (check all requirements here)
HYPOTHEkids, an outreach unit of the Harlem Biospace biotech incubator, provides NYC students from low-resource backgrounds with paid work-based learning experiences in STEAM. You will first attend training sessions in life science research and professional skill development in the spring (50 hours), with the curriculum modules covering topics in molecular biology, clinical science, and other STEAM fields. In the summer, you will get to engage in a paid mentored summer internship (25 hours/week for six weeks) at a research lab or health care institution. You will participate in hands-on activities and experiments and gain key skills in critical thinking and creative problem-solving. This can be an opportunity to build connections through interactions with educators and scientists from biotech start-ups and research institutions. At the end of the program, you will present your internship research through a poster session at the American Museum of Natural History.
Location: Seattle Children's Research Institute, B. Wayne Hughes Building, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; a $2,000 stipend offered to cover costs for transportation and meals
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 24
Program dates: Mandatory in-person orientation: May 21 + Internship: July 13 – August 7
Application deadline: March 8; applications typically open in January.
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 (rising juniors and seniors) who reside within commuting distance of Downtown Seattle
RTP, offered by Seattle Children’s Hospital’s Science Education Department, offers rising juniors and seniors a structured learning experience focused on biology lab research. As a participant, you will attend lectures on diverse topics in the fields of immunology, infectious diseases, biochemistry, and the like. You will learn key research lab techniques, such as bioanalytical methods to test molecules in biological samples and microscope observation. You will also work on an independent research project and present it at the end of the program. Additionally, the program offers advisement workshops on college admissions and careers and opportunities to participate in tours of Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Location: Multiple locations in Oregon and Southwest Washington
Cost/Stipend: $40 application processing fee (waivers available; learning stipends of $1,500/$1,000/$500 available, based on internship hours
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~75 – 100 students
Program dates: June – late August (full-time internships running 8 – 10 weeks and a few part-time options available)
Application deadline: March 8; applications typically open on January 12.
Eligibility: Rising 10 – 12 graders who are participating in ACE for the first time
Saturday Academy’s ASE provides high school students with work experiences at universities, research institutions, private firms, and hospitals. Opportunities are typically available across disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth/environmental science. As a participant, you will attend an orientation, a mid-summer conference, and a symposium. During the conference, you will attend lectures led by scientists and other professionals to explore careers in STEAM and participate in hands-on workshops to gain competency in technical areas and learn how to make a professional scientific presentation. At the end of the program, you will present a self-developed research project at a virtual symposium to mentors, peers, family members, and guests.
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free; need-based supplemental stipend available for travel and books
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; cohort size of ~40 in the past
Program dates: June 7 – June 18
Application deadline: February 15; applications typically open on January 11.
Eligibility: Students who have completed grade 11 in Florida public/private high schools, have maintained an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, have scores in the 90th percentile or better in math on nationally standardized exams, and are enrolled in or have completed Pre-Calculus
The YSP is a six-week opportunity for high school seniors to add to their classroom learning in math, science, and computer programming, and work on an Independent Research Project (IRP). You will take three courses (check the curriculum here), attend classroom lectures and seminars, and work on your IRP, which may involve field- or computer-based work and will focus on an aspect within ongoing research. You will present your work in a poster session at the end of the program and submit a final research paper. You will also engage in weekend trips and participate in social and recreational activities. As a participant, you will get to connect with mentors, postdoctoral associates, lab staff, and graduate students.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; residential fee: $2,360.25 (optional); a stipend will be awarded
Acceptance rate: ~5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are at least 16 years old when the program begins
The Simons Summer Research Program, conducted at Stony Brook University, is a mentored STEM research program designed for high school students. It offers research opportunities spanning fields like geoscience, computer science, physics, astronomy, engineering, and chemistry. During the program, you will join a Stony Brook University research team and contribute to a research project while learning how to use professional laboratory techniques and tools. You will attend weekly faculty-led talks to learn about various STEM disciplines and participate in workshops to refine your research skills. You will submit and present your research abstract and poster at the end of the program.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Campus, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free with a $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 6 – 10 students/year
Program dates: June 14 – July 24
Application deadline: February 15 (applications typically open on December 1)
Eligibility: Rising seniors attending a high school in the State of Michigan, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents or non-U.S. citizens with employment authorization documentation
Hosted by the University of Michigan's Life Sciences Institute, the Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship is a six-week, free, residential program that allows high schoolers to participate in life sciences research. You will be matched with a University of Michigan scientist at an on-campus lab based on your scientific interest, and work on a real research project. You will also attend preparatory sessions focused on college and standardized tests. You will network with peers and professionals while engaging in social events and professional development activities. At the end of the program, you will present your research findings to peers, community scientists, and the general public.
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free with a $3,600 stipend and partial reimbursement for transportation costs
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified; selective admissions
Program dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising seniors attending a high school in MA within commuting distance to the institute with a B or better in science and math classes; applicants must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents or non-U.S. citizens with employment authorization documentation.
BSSP is a six-week opportunity to engage in research within disciplines such as chemical biology, computational biology, and cancer biology. You will attend lab training sessions and will then be matched with a mentor's research based on your skills and field of interest. As a participant, you will build research skills, explore experimental and computational techniques, and attend scientific talks and lab meetings. You will also gain insight into the research work of other labs. Additionally, you will participate in social events with peers and attend a college fair. At the end of the program, you will present the results of your research at a scientific poster session.
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free (free room and board also provided on campus, if needed)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive (24 selected in an earlier cohort)
Program dates: July 26 – 31 (dates can vary by year, but the program is typically held in the last week of July)
Application deadline: March 5
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S.
Michigan State University's PAN program offers week-long learning experiences to high school students interested in pursuing nuclear science. As a participant, you will attend lectures on astrophysics, cosmology, and nuclear science while also gaining insight into the principles and methods of scientific research. You will attend lab safety training sessions and conduct experiments with a research mentor at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), MSU's research and training center, to gain insight into the properties of rare isotopes and their applications to medical and other fields. You will learn about precision measurements, Gamma spectroscopy, particle identification, beam management, and other research activities.
Location: Bethel College Summer Science Institute, North Newton, KS (virtual option may be available)
Cost: $60 registration fee
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 36 students/year
Program dates: July 13 – 18
Application deadline: April 15 (can be extended if required for another month)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12; high school graduates of the current year may be accepted if seats are available. Students residing within 400 miles of the campus will be given preference.
BCSSI offers high schoolers a week-long opportunity to explore research in the sciences, including fields like forensic science, biology, psychology, and human health. You will be placed within two research groups, one operating in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Within the assigned group, you will attend lectures and work in the lab or field alongside faculty and undergraduate assistants who help you learn lab techniques and how to process and analyze data. You will also work on a group project with peers and present your work at a symposium. Additionally, you will earn an hour of college credit and a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
15. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging’s Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote
Cost: Application fee: $45 + Program participation fee: $2,400; financial aid available
Cohort size: ~50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26 | Session B: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and U.S. citizens; those with prior experience in a healthcare project and/or strong math or computer programming skills are preferred.
This virtual science program is designed for high school students interested in learning about AI in the context of healthcare innovation. As an intern, you will gain exposure and insights into how AI is used to address challenges in medicine and healthcare while working on addressing a real medical problem with the use of AI tools. You will work with a team of peers on research projects and engage in social activities, online group work sessions, and career-oriented sessions led by guest speakers from diverse professional backgrounds. Throughout the program, you will have access to the mentorship of Stanford University students and researchers. Once the summer session ends, you may also be able to continue engaging with the program through an extended academic year research opportunity.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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