13 Science Summer Camps for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re interested in science, summer camps can give you a way to explore different fields beyond what you learn in school. These programs introduce you to fields such as physics, engineering, coding, medicine, and mathematics while placing you in structured academic environments. They can also help you understand how different scientific disciplines connect and what studying them further might look like.
Why should I attend a science summer camp in high school?
Science camps allow you to take part in focused activities that build your understanding of scientific concepts and methods. You might work on experiments, collaborate on technical projects, explore lab techniques, or engage in problem-solving challenges across different STEM fields. Over time, these experiences can help you develop analytical skills, explore your interests more deeply, and prepare for future study in science-related areas.
In this blog, we have curated 13 science summer camps for high school students.
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Location: ,
Cost / Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: ~20 students
Program dates: July 1–July 15
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students (ages ~14–18) who are U.S. citizens or attend U.S. high schools
√mathroots @ MIT is a two‑week residential mathematics summer camp where high school students work closely with instructors on creative math and advanced problem‑solving topics often not covered in standard school curricula. Participants engage in daily classes, group problem‑solving sessions, and invited lectures that deepen their understanding of mathematical ideas, including proofs, number theory, and abstract reasoning. The program also fosters collaboration among peers and offers a supportive environment where students develop resilience and resourcefulness in tackling challenging concepts. Through intensive practice and mentorship, learners enhance their problem‑solving skills, gain confidence in mathematics, and build connections with like‑minded students and mentors at a leading research university.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies by program. Financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9-12) with a high level of academic achievement.
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. 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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: New Mexico School for the Arts , Santa Fe, NM
Cost / Stipend: Free to attend with daily lunch and snacks provided; participants who complete the camp earn a $350 stipend
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Competitive with a limited cohort for each year’s camp
Program dates: June 8 – June 19
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed Algebra I or a higher-level math course
Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Summer Physics Camp offers high school students the chance to explore key concepts in physics through practical, hands‑on experiments and demonstrations. Participants dive into topics such as electricity, computing, cybersecurity, and energy systems, while collaborating with peers and developing essential technical skills. Alongside the scientific work, students engage in professional development, gaining valuable experience in résumé writing, interview preparation, and exploring potential career pathways in STEM fields. This program provides students with a chance to engage directly with real scientific work while receiving mentorship from professionals in a leading research environment.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions.
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program provides high school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, building robotic arms in engineering, and moot courts in law. You can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, MN
Cost / Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: June 22 – June 26
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Current high school students who have completed a year-long course in single-variable calculus
IMA‑MathCEP Math Modeling Camp invites high school students to the University of Minnesota to explore how mathematics can be used to understand and solve real‑world problems. Over the week, participants work on collaborative projects that transform real‑world situations, such as population trends or infrastructure challenges, into mathematical models, developing both analytical and teamwork skills in the process. Students engage with faculty and peers through guided activities that blend theory with practical applications, gaining insights into how mathematics underpins scientific and engineering challenges. This camp offers motivated learners the opportunity to strengthen problem‑solving skills, apply calculus in meaningful contexts, and deepen their appreciation for how quantitative thinking can help address complex issues.
Location: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory , Stanford University , Menlo Park, CA
Cost / Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June 21 – June 27
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9, 10, or 11 (under age 18) from Northern California high schools
SAGE Camp at SLAC brings high school students together for a week of STEM exploration where they meet scientists and engineers, participate in team projects, and gain insight into careers in science and technology. Participants attend technology and career talks, shadow professionals in STEM roles, work on hands‑on projects with peers, and take tours of National Lab facilities and nearby academic sites. The camp includes social and evening activities that build community while reinforcing technical understanding and problem‑solving skills. At the end of the week, students leave with a broader awareness of STEM pathways, connections with professionals, and membership in the SAGE community that supports further growth and exploration beyond the camp.
Location: Multiple in-person locations with virtual options also available throughout the summer
Cost / Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: 2-week camps from June to August | Camp dates vary by location
Application deadline: Rolling until seats are filled
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 who identify as girls or gender-expansive
Kode With Klossy’s free summer coding camp invites high school students to dive into computer science fundamentals through a two‑week project‑based program that blends creative coding, teamwork, and mentorship. Participants learn coding concepts such as web development, data science, and artificial intelligence while building real projects with peers and instructors. The camp emphasizes community building, peer collaboration, and practical skills, with opportunities to present work and network with other young learners who share a passion for technology. For many students, this experience deepens interest in STEM fields, strengthens coding confidence, and connects them with a global community of technologists and alumni.
Location: U.S. Naval Academy , Annapolis, MD
Cost / Stipend: $450
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: One-week sessions in June | June 1 – June 6 for rising 9th graders | June 8 – June 13 for rising 10th graders | June 15 – June 19 for rising 11th graders
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students entering 9th through 11th grade in the coming school year
The U.S. Naval Academy Summer STEM Program brings high school students to Annapolis for a week of hands‑on science, technology, engineering, and math learning alongside Naval Academy faculty and current midshipmen. Participants work through problem‑solving challenges, design and build projects, and engage in workshops that connect core scientific principles to real‑world applications. The experience includes team activities, field trips, and opportunities to explore state‑of‑the‑art labs and facilities, giving students practical exposure to STEM in an academic setting. Through collaboration, instruction, and peer interaction, students deepen their curiosity and skills while discovering how STEM fields play out in research and engineering contexts.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA.
Cost: Free. All tuition, housing, and dining costs are covered.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective (approx. 40 students for EECS, 20 for ME).
Dates: Four weeks, June 27 - July 25.
Application Deadline: December 15.
Eligibility: High school juniors (rising seniors) who are female-identifying.
The MIT Women’s Technology Program (WTP) gives you a chance to spend four weeks at MIT exploring engineering through hands-on learning, design projects, and lab experiments. You’ll join a small cohort of female-identifying rising seniors and dive into one of two tracks: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) or Mechanical Engineering (ME). The program is designed for students who excel in math and science but have had little to no prior exposure to engineering, making it the ideal place to start exploring what real engineers do. You’ll work on team projects, attend lectures taught by MIT instructors and graduate students, and gain first-hand experience solving technical challenges. Beyond building technical confidence, you’ll connect with mentors and peers who share your curiosity, helping you envision your next steps in STEM and beyond.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: $2,350 of program fees; fee waivers and need-based support are available for qualifying students.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; selection is based on performance in the required prerequisite online courses.
Dates: Four weeks, July 6 - August 2.
Application deadline: March 31.
Eligibility: Open to 9th - 11th graders with an interest in STEM.
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute allows you the opportunity to spend four weeks at MIT diving into hands-on engineering and computer science through team-based, project-driven courses. You’ll start with a required online course to build foundational skills, then come to campus to work in teams on challenges such as autonomous drones, embedded security, or quantum software under the guidance of mentors at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT faculty. You’ll engage in lectures, labs, and collaborative design sessions that push you beyond textbook learning into applied STEM work. Along the way, you’ll develop technical skills, build confidence in engineering problem-solving, and create connections with peers and mentors who share your passion for innovation. If you’re ready to explore how your interests in robotics, AI, or hardware design could become real-world projects, this summer camp can be a great step into advanced STEM pathways.
Location: Rutgers University , New Brunswick, NJ
Cost / Stipend: $1,600 for a 5-day session with an early bird rate of $1,400 until June 1
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: August 3 – August 7 (for students entering 7th–12th grade) | August 10 – August 14 (for students entering 6th–9th grade)
Application deadline: Applications accepted through the summer until spaces fill
Eligibility: Students entering 6th through 12th grade for the coming school year
Rutgers Honors Design Thinking Summer Academy gives students a focused week to engage in creative problem-solving and engineering design, guiding them from identifying a real-world challenge to prototyping and presenting innovative solutions. Participants work with professional tools, including CAD, 3D printing, laser cutters, electronics, and microcontrollers, while learning human‑centered design and systems thinking. Throughout the program, students collaborate in teams, document their work, and build a STEM‑focused digital portfolio that highlights their process and technical skills. The week culminates with formal presentations where students share their design decisions and reflect on their creative problem‑solving experience.
12. Tapia STEM Camps
Location: Rice University , Houston, TX
Cost / Stipend: Camp tuition ~ $2,200 (early bird) to $2,500 (regular); food and lodging included for the week
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Competitive with limited spots for rising grades 8–12 each session
Program dates: July 5 – July 10 | July 12 – July 17 | July 19 – July 24
Application deadline: Applications typically open ahead of the summer season
Eligibility: Rising high school students entering approximately grades 8 through 12 for the coming academic year
Tapia STEM Camps at Rice University offer high school students the chance to spend a week exploring a wide range of science, technology, engineering, and math topics through hands‑on projects and activities designed by faculty and current university students. Campers work collaboratively on challenges such as designing heat sinks, building model wind turbines, and creating algorithms for real-world scenarios, while also developing communication and presentation skills. Each session includes STEM workshops, daily instruction, and a field trip experience, giving students a blend of academic discovery and fun campus life. Through teamwork, professional mentoring, and project presentations, participants engage deeply with STEM concepts and build confidence in their scientific thinking and problem‑solving abilities.
Location: Nova Southeastern University , Fort Lauderdale/Davie, FL
Cost / Stipend: $1800
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Limited to about 50 students per session and competitive based
Program dates: June 22 – June 26 (Tampa Bay) | July 6 – July 10 | July 12 – July 17 (Fort Lauderdale/Davie)
Application deadline: Applications are typically reviewed and offers sent by mid-April
Eligibility: High school students who are rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a strong interest in health professions
AIM‑High is a five‑day medical immersion day camp that gives high school students a dynamic introduction to careers in healthcare and medicine through interactive sessions and hands‑on activities. Participants explore topics like suturing, pharmacy practices, emergency response skills, sports medicine, and cancer detection, gaining insight into the breadth of medical fields. The program also offers opportunities to interact with current medical students and faculty, build social connections, and discuss college pathways and health careers. Through practical learning, professional exposure, and collaborative activities, AIM‑High helps motivated learners deepen their understanding of the medical profession and envision future possibilities in healthcare.
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.
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