20 Science Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jun 6
- 13 min read
Science summer programs for high school students offer a great opportunity to dive into college-level academics, gain hands-on experience, and explore potential career paths— without the hefty price tag of traditional pre-college programs.
These summer programs provide exposure to cutting-edge research, mentorship from leading experts, and valuable networking opportunities, helping you build practical skills and connections that can shape your future. Whether working in a lab, collaborating on real-world projects, or attending lectures by renowned scientists, these experiences can be valuable for aspiring STEM professionals.
If you’re a student looking to challenge yourself and stand out in college applications, science summer programs for high school students could be the perfect fit. To help you narrow down the options, we’ve curated a list of top programs based on factors like academic intensity, networking potential, prestige, and accessibility, including fully funded opportunities and highly selective programs hosted by elite institutions. These programs are designed to push boundaries and open doors for the next generation of scientists.
Let’s dive into the 20 science summer programs for high school students!
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2990. Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: May 11 (Summer Cohort I) | June 23 (Summer Cohort II)
Dates: June–August (Summer Cohort I) | (July–October)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4) | No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Acceptance rate: A selective program with around 500 spots annually
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research-focused opportunity for high school students interested in advanced STEM research. Founded by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, it will pair you with a Ph.D. mentor from a top university to develop a university-level independent research project. Research areas span biotechnology, astrophysics, engineering, data science, and chemistry, where you can explore topics such as genetic engineering, astrophysical simulations, or machine learning.
You will engage in rigorous academic research, gaining hands-on experience with technical tools such as Python, MATLAB, or lab-based methods. This experience will strengthen your research experience and enhance your college applications. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5400. Need-based financial aid available
Application Deadline: May 25
Dates: The Summer cohort begins in early June. Admissions are on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Cohort size: A highly selective program with only 5-6 students per project
Veritas AI offers selective online programs that provide high school students with a focused environment to explore their interest in artificial intelligence. Through collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship, you will gain exposure to AI research and applications. The flagship AI Fellowship is a 12–15 week program where you will work closely with Ph.D. mentors from top universities to design and publish an independent project. These projects often intersect with fields like healthcare, finance, education, and environmental science, which will allow you to explore interdisciplinary topics while building technical skills in Python, machine learning, and data analysis. You can find more about the program structure here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: None. An application fee of $50; financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January
Dates: June–August (8 weeks)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors at the time of application | At least 14 years old by June 17.
Cohort size: Highly competitive with approximately 60 students selected annually
The Stanford SHTEM (Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Summer Internship is an intensive, fully virtual research program designed for high school juniors and seniors. Spanning eight weeks, the summer program offers you interdisciplinary projects that merge STEM with fields like psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and design. You will collaborate with other students in small groups under the mentorship of Stanford faculty, PhD students, and staff from the Stanford Compression Forum, dedicating approximately 30–40 hours per week to research activities. The internship culminates in final presentations, providing you with valuable research experience and a significant enhancement to your academic profile.
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 24
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Eligibility: A U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident | At least 17 years of age by the program start date | Should graduate in the current academic year or the next (no exceptions).
Acceptance rate: <3% (only 12 high school juniors and seniors with SAT scores usually in the 99th percentile).
In this program, you will conduct hands-on research under the mentorship of university faculty across fields such as computer science, nutritional science, mechanical engineering, cancer biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and history. Alongside lab work, you will engage in weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips that inculcate critical thinking. The program offers a rigorous academic environment that will equip you with practical research skills and strengthen your college application. You can find a detailed list of research areas here. You will also receive a $750 stipend upon completing a successful research project report.
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 1
Dates: June–August
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Cohort size: 80-100 students are accepted annually.
The MITES Summer’s curriculum involves core subjects like math, physics, and life sciences, alongside hands-on, project-based electives such as Engineering Design, Architecture, Machine Learning, and Electronics. You will be placed into courses based on your existing knowledge, ensuring tailored instructions in areas like circuit design, bioengineering, and machine learning algorithms. Beyond academics, the program includes lab tours, college admissions counseling, and field trips, offering a comprehensive introduction to STEM research and careers. The program will help you develop technical and personal skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and academic confidence. It prioritizes students from underrepresented and underserved communities.
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January 20
Dates: June 2– August 8
Eligibility: High school seniors 18 years or older, in good academic standing, or who are graduating
Acceptance rate: Low acceptance rate with a highly competitive selection process
This program offers hands-on experience in laboratory techniques, clinical research methodologies, data analysis, and medical literature review into critical topics like chemotherapy-induced pain, perioperative immune function, cancer recurrence, etc. You will be paired with a faculty mentor to complete an original research project, culminating in a formal presentation at a poster symposium. The program also includes weekly professional development sessions focused on graduate school preparation, scientific communication, and career exploration in healthcare and biomedical research. You will also publish your research abstract in the CATALYST Summer Program abstract book, a tangible academic achievement that will strengthen future college and scholarship applications.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free. A $65 application fee is applicable.
Application Deadline: January for US citizens and March for international students
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Eligibility: High school juniors with strong academic ability, including international students
Acceptance rate: 5% (100 students are accepted annually).
100 top students from around the globe are selected to participate in this prestigious program that combines advanced STEM coursework with immersive research. The experience begins with a week of intensive classes taught by MIT professors, followed by a five-week research internship under the guidance of scientists and researchers. You will go through the full research cycle, from reviewing literature to conducting experiments and writing formal reports, culminating in a conference-style presentation of your findings. Projects span a wide range of fields such as biology, chemistry, engineering, math, physics, and humanities, offering you a chance to develop subject expertise, analytical skills, and scientific communication.
8. STEM Enhancement in Earth Sciences (SEES) Summer High School Intern Program by NASA and UT Austin
Location: The University of Texas Center for Space Research, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 22
Dates: Remote tasks till July 1 | On-site internship: July 6 - July 19
Eligibility: U.S. citizen | Be 16 years old by July 5 | Be current high school sophomores or juniors ONLY (will be rising juniors and seniors) who have yet to work as SEES interns.
Acceptance rate: Approximately 5% for the on-site internship and around 20% for the virtual internship.
Hosted by the UT Austin Center for Space Research in partnership with NASA and the Texas Space Grant Consortium, the STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer High School Intern Program offers a prestigious and fully funded opportunity for students to explore Earth and space science, climate research, and mission design. You will collaborate with NASA experts on real satellite data, gaining experience in areas like astronomy, geospatial analysis, and remote sensing. You will interpret real NASA satellite data under the guidance of professional scientists and engineers in your chosen field. The program culminates in the SEES Science Symposium where you will present your research to NASA scientists and peers.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 22
Dates: June 9 – July 31
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors | At least 16 years of age
Acceptance rate: <3% (only about 50 students accepted annually).
Hosted at the Stanford University School of Medicine, this program offers you one-on-one mentorship with faculty or Stanford researchers in top-tier labs across eight research areas, including neurobiology, immunology, bioinformatics, cancer biology, and genetics. You’ll attend lectures, conduct hands-on experiments, work on a real-world project addressing a medical need, independent lab-based projects, and give a formal poster presentation of your research at the end. An alternative track is the Bioengineering Bootcamp, which offers a hands-on learning experience in bioengineering without the lab research component. You will receive a stipend of $500-$1,500.
Location: Five campus options, including Purdue University, UNC Chapel Hill, the University of Colorado, New Mexico State, and Indiana University.
Cost: $9,800. Need-based financial aid available
Application Deadline: January 24 for international applicants | February 21 for domestic applicants.
Dates: Depend on the campus and the course. Typically, between June and August
Eligibility: High school juniors and a few sophomores At least 15 years old but not 19
Acceptance rate: Around 10% (500-600 students are accepted annually).
Held at leading U.S. universities, the SSP runs 12 programs across four tracks (Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Genomics, and Synthetic Chemistry), each focused on real-world scientific challenges like near-Earth asteroid orbit determination, fungal crop pathogens or antibiotic resistance. Over 39 days, you will engage in hands-on, team-based research projects supported by a rigorous curriculum that includes lectures, lab sessions, and mentorship from faculty and researchers. In addition to academic training, you will benefit from guest lectures, field trips, and a strong alumni network. The program will equip you with valuable technical and collaborative skills and provide a stipend of $3,000.
Location: National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Typically in mid-January
Dates: July–August
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors (must be 17+ by June 1, 2025) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents living with a parent/guardian within 40 miles of NIH in Bethesda, MD (DC/MD/VA only) | Must attend a school where more than 30% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch (confirm with a counselor or principal) | Minimum GPA of 3.0, though students with a 2.75–3.0 GPA and upward trends can also apply
Acceptance rate: Highly selective due to its small cohort size of around 25
HiSTEP is a five-week summer internship for rising high school seniors from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds interested in biomedical research and health-related careers. You will explore major public health topics such as AIDS, neurological disorders, and women’s health while gaining hands-on lab experience, STEM skills, and guidance on college admissions, leadership, and career readiness. Activities include research group visits, guest lectures, small group discussions, and team projects. You will be expected to commit at least 21 hours per week, and spots are competitive due to the program's prestige and limited cohort size. The program pays a stipend of $2,530.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 21
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors living in NYC
Cohort size: About 80 students accepted annually
This program engages you in over 80 research labs, collaborating with NYU faculty and graduate students on projects in fields such as bioengineering, chemical engineering, robotics, computer science, and machine learning. It begins with four weeks of foundational training, including lab safety, research methods, and college writing, followed by six weeks of hands-on lab experience. You will approximately gain 120 hours of lab work, develop public speaking skills, and present your findings at a final colloquium and poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History. You will also receive 1-on-1 college application support and opportunities for continued research collaboration. Additionally, you will receive a $1,000 stipend upon successful completion of the program.
Location: Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX | Online
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Typically mid-October
Dates: Late October – Early April (online course) | June and July (on-site summer experience)
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens residing in Texas
Acceptance rate: Highly competitive
This NASA program offers a prestigious year-long STEM opportunity for high school juniors centered on NASA’s missions and technologies. Throughout a five-month online learning segment, you will learn about space exploration, Earth science, aeronautics, and engineering through interactive modules, design challenges, and tech-driven assignments that build critical problem-solving and analytical skills. Students who excel in the online portion are invited to a five-day in-person summer experience ‘Moonshot,’ where they collaborate in teams to tackle engineering challenges and develop mission plans to the Moon and Mars, guided by NASA scientists and engineers. Upon completing the online portion of the course, you will receive a 0.5 Science elective credit.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years old | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Acceptance rate: <5% (students need to be nominated to apply).
This program offers academically talented high school juniors a prestigious opportunity to conduct university-level research in science, math, or engineering. You will be matched with faculty mentors and integrated into active research teams across departments such as biochemistry, pharmacology, geoscience, computer science, and astronomy. You will gain hands-on experience with lab equipment and research methodologies while contributing to real projects. The program culminates in a written abstract and poster presentation of each student’s findings. It is highly selective and you must be nominated by your school and submit two letters of recommendation.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 17
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Eligibility: Current high school juniors in Northern California
Cohort size: 24 students will be selected for the next program
This five-week residential summer program aims at admitting low-income, first-generation high school juniors who are interested in medicine and public health. It offers a mix of rigorous academics, hands-on learning, and mentorship from faculty, healthcare professionals, and college students. You will complete an internship at Stanford Hospital involving lab work, shadowing clinicians, and interacting with patients. In addition, you will also conduct an independent Public Health research project focused on addressing health disparities, culminating in a college-level research paper and final presentation. The program also features seminars on college admissions, leadership development, and research methods, helping you build the skills and confidence needed to pursue STEM careers.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: None
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: June–July (4 weeks)
Eligibility: At least 16 years old by June 21, US citizen or permanent resident for both tracks | CS Scholars Track - high school sophomores | AI Scholars track - high school juniors
Acceptance rate: Highly prestigious and competitive
The CS Scholars Program is a four-week summer experience for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in computer science. The curriculum covers core concepts like variables, conditionals, loops, functions, and data structures such as lists and dictionaries, blending classroom instruction with hands-on research projects. You will also participate in weekly seminars on college admissions, financial aid, and social-emotional wellness.
The AI Scholars Program is a four-week residential experience focused entirely on artificial intelligence. Through lectures, collaborative group projects, and exposure to faculty-led research and industry insights, you will dive deep into AI’s real-world applications. The program culminates in a final project presentation, where you will showcase your learning and skills.
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January 27
Dates: June 2 – July 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from the Greater St. Louis area
Cohort size: 15-18 students are accepted annually.
In this prestigious program, you will work full-time in biomedical research labs, developing hypothesis-driven projects under the mentorship of graduate students, postdocs, and lab staff. You will also receive weekly tutoring, be part of career discussions, and workshops in scientific writing and college readiness. Past projects spanned fields like genetics, neuroscience, cancer biology, and biomedical engineering. The program culminates in a formal symposium where you will present your findings. With hands-on lab work, personalized mentorship, and strong professional development support, Summer Focus offers a solid foundation for STEM careers and strengthens competitive college applications. You will also receive a stipend of $4,500.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Typically first week of June, but it has passed for the upcoming program
Dates: July 7 - 11
Eligibility: High school girls entering and boys and non-binary students already in10th or 11th grade
Cohort size: Selective
This academy is a week-long summer program hosted by Rice University's Office of STEM Engagement that focuses on sustainability-themed engineering challenges. It involves hands-on activities such as designing landing capsules and roller coasters, working with circuits using Microbits, and exploring motion concepts with TI Nspire Rovers. You will engage with Rice faculty and graduate students, discussing physics and connecting theoretical concepts to real-world applications in sustainability and engineering. This program not only cultivates critical skills in engineering and physics but also fosters a mindset geared towards sustainable design, providing a solid foundation for future academic pursuits in STEM.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (with a virtual “pre-course” in June)
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 1
Dates: June 21 – August 2
Eligibility: 11th grade at the time of application submission | At least 16 years old by the program start date | U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Acceptance rate: <7%
This six-week residential program is designed to support underrepresented and underserved high school students interested in pursuing STEM. Through classroom instructions, hands-on projects, mentoring, and workshops, you will explore advanced math, science, and engineering topics while gaining critical insight into college admissions and STEM careers. Beyond academics, SAMS fosters a strong sense of community through small group mentoring, collaborative learning, and engagement with faculty, alumni, and industry leaders. You will participate in writing workshops, career exploration sessions, and enrichment programs focused on preparing for college and beyond. The program culminates in a final symposium and offers ongoing virtual opportunities to support continued growth.
Location: The Jackson Laboratory campuses in Bar Harbor, ME, and Farmington, CT.
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: January 27
Dates: May 31 – August 8
Eligibility: Seniors who have completed 12th grade | At least 18 years old | US citizen or permanent resident
Cohort size: Around 40 students are accepted annually on each campus.
The Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program (SSP) is a rigorous and highly regarded summer research opportunity for high school students interested in genetics and genomics. You will work one-on-one with a scientific mentor on a research project in areas such as bioinformatics, cancer, genomics, immunology, and metabolic diseases. You will design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and present your findings to the lab community. Beyond lab work, the program fosters professional development, collaboration, and scientific communication. You will also be provided a stipend of $6,500.
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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