15 STEM Internships for High School Students in Maryland
- Stephen Turban
- 12 hours ago
- 9 min read
For high school students in Maryland interested in STEM, internships offer hands-on experience, develop technical skills, and provide the opportunity to work alongside professionals in the field. These opportunities often include mentorship, project-based learning, and access to research labs or tech environments, helping you prepare for college and future careers.
Maryland is home to top-tier institutions, including Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, making it a great place to find rigorous, well-supported STEM internships. Many programs are fully funded or offer stipends, increasing accessibility while adding real-world value.
To help you find the best opportunities, we’ve curated 15 STEM internships for high school students in Maryland, chosen for their academic rigor, institutional reputation, and support for young researchers and innovators.
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490; financial assistance available
Location: Virtual
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students (grades 9–12), undergraduates, and gap-year students; must commit to 10–20 hours per week
Ladder Internships offers a remote internship experience where students are matched with early-stage startups working in STEM fields such as biotechnology, environmental science, health tech, and data science. You will work on a real-world project under the supervision of a startup manager and are supported by a dedicated Ladder Coach who provides weekly mentorship.
Projects often involve technical problem-solving, data analysis, and product research, giving you exposure to startup environments and entrepreneurial STEM applications. This virtual internship is flexible and accessible to Maryland students, providing a strong professional development opportunity and a portfolio-ready final presentation.
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; students are responsible for housing and transportation
Location: NIST Gaithersburg Campus, Gaithersburg, MD
Dates: 8 weeks; orientation begins June 23
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are current high school juniors or seniors during the application period; minimum 3.0 GPA; must live near NIST Gaithersburg campus and commit to the full 8-week program
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SHIP provides high school students with the opportunity to engage in practical research with NIST scientists and engineers at the Gaithersburg campus. Over eight weeks, you will contribute to research projects in fields such as physics, chemistry, engineering, and computer science.
You will gain hands-on experience in laboratory techniques, data gathering, and scientific writing. SHIP also focuses on independent project work, where you'll be expected to develop and showcase your research results. While the program is unpaid, it provides a highly competitive setting and a chance to work in a federal research laboratory.
Stipend: Provided depending on session length and academic level
Location: Goddard Space Flight Center, Glenn Dale, MD; virtual options also available
Dates: May – August (10 weeks); spring and fall sessions also available
Application Deadline: Typically closes in February
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old at the time of application with minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Enrolled as a full-time high school or undergraduate student
NASA’s OSTEM internships place students in active research environments, including Maryland’s Goddard Space Flight Center. You will work alongside NASA scientists and engineers on projects in space science, aeronautics, technology development, and STEM outreach.
The experience includes mentorship, technical training, and exposure to real-world mission support activities, such as data analysis, experiment design, and systems development. The program fosters critical problem-solving and research skills while offering career development resources. While competitive, these internships provide early insight into working within a federal STEM agency.
Cost/Stipend: In-person interns receive $15/hour
Location: Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, Baltimore, MD, and virtual options
Dates: June – August, 8 weeks in-person and 5 weeks virtual
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: In-person: Baltimore juniors and seniors with strong academics and an interest in brain health or neuroscience, and Virtual: High school juniors and seniors nationwide
JHIBS offers an immersive experience in neuroscience and behavioral science research, hosted by the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology. In the in-person program, you will conduct mentored lab research, practice experimental design, data analysis, and attend clinical shadowing sessions.
In the virtual format, you will participate in foundational neuroscience, lab simulations, data visualization, and science communication. Both tracks emphasize research ethics, scientific writing, and career development skills, ending in a presentation of your research or analysis project. The program supports students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM.
Cost/Stipend: $500 per week; travel, housing, meals, courses, and field trips fully covered
Location: University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Typically in April/May
Eligibility: High school seniors entering college in the fall; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; minimum 2.7 GPA; strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups
The GeoSciences Bridge Program is a fully funded, six-week residential program designed for students interested in ocean sciences, atmospheric sciences, and GIS/Remote Sensing techniques. You can take two for-credit college-level courses while participating in lectures, field trips, and hands-on research projects.
You will explore scientific research techniques, data analysis, and technical tools employed in geosciences. The program also includes mentorship and career readiness sessions, helping students transition smoothly to college-level STEM studies. Acceptance is highly competitive, with only 7–8 students selected each year.
Stipend: Provided
Location: Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors in Montgomery County Public Schools; must be at least 16 years old and authorized to work in the U.S.
The IBBR High School Internship Program offers students the chance to conduct biomedical and biotechnology research in a professional lab setting. You will be paired with mentors and engage in lab-based projects using advanced methods like cryo-electron microscopy, x-ray crystallography, and mass spectrometry.
Additional training includes data analysis, experimental design, and scientific communication. You will contribute to projects focused on therapeutic development and biotech innovation, providing a direct look at how research informs medical advancements and manufacturing processes.
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (first-year interns); $4,500 (returning interns)
Location: Various Navy labs in Maryland, including Annapolis, Bethesda, Patuxent River, and Silver Spring
Dates: 8 weeks; dates vary by lab
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors aged 16+ at program start. Check lab-specific requirements
SEAP provides high school students with an opportunity to work in Department of Navy research labs, gaining exposure to STEM research, engineering design, and technology development. You will collaborate with Navy scientists and engineers on active projects, learning lab techniques, data analysis, and problem-solving in applied research settings. The program also offers mentorship and skill-building in professional communication and technical writing. SEAP is a competitive, fully paid internship that offers a rare inside look at federal science and engineering research environments.
Cost/Stipend: Varies by location and duration; paid internships
Location: Virtual and various labs across Maryland, including Aberdeen, Bethesda, Frederick, Adelphi, and Silver Spring
Dates: Typically summer months; exact dates vary by site
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or legal residents; additional site-specific requirements may apply
AEOP High School Internships place students in U.S. Army research centers or university partner labs, providing hands-on STEM research experiences. You will collaborate with professional scientists or engineers on actual research projects, acquiring lab techniques, data collection skills, and scientific communication methods.
The program also includes workshops on career pathways, college preparation, and professional skills development. Maryland students can apply to several in-state labs, offering diverse research opportunities in engineering, biology, chemistry, and computer science.
Cost/Stipend: Paid and volunteer positions available
Location: Primarily Annapolis, MD, with other sites across Maryland
Dates: 10–12 weeks; June – August (summer) and October – December (fall)
Application Deadline: Varies by internship; summer applications open in February; fall applications open in July
Eligibility: High school or college students with a minimum 2.5 GPA, or graduates within one year of the internship start date
Maryland DNR internships provide students with opportunities to work on environmental science and conservation projects, including roles in shoreline restoration, fisheries monitoring, environmental outreach, and data collection. You will acquire hands-on experience in fieldwork, research methodologies, environmental monitoring, and public outreach.
Projects are often hands-on, taking place outdoors or in lab settings, and conclude with a presentation to DNR staff. These internships offer valuable insight into careers in environmental science, natural resource management, and public sector STEM fields.
Cost/Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Dates: June 23 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students from households earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level; must be educationally under-resourced
SARE offers an intensive biomedical research experience for students from underrepresented backgrounds. You will split your time between mentored lab research and academic coursework in bioethics, data analysis, math, and scientific writing. Working closely with Johns Hopkins researchers, students build skills in laboratory methods, critical thinking, and scientific communication.
The program concludes with a formal research presentation, giving you experience in both hands-on science and professional academic settings. SARE emphasizes equity and access to high-level research environments.
Cost/Stipend: $2,150 stipend
Location: NIH campus, Bethesda, MD
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors or recent graduates who are aged 17 or older by June 1, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, attend a school where at least 30% of students participate in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program, and live within 40 miles of the NIH campus in DC, Maryland, or Virginia.
HiSTEP is a 5-week STEM enrichment program designed to introduce students from underrepresented schools to biomedical science and healthcare careers. You will participate in hands-on lab workshops, lectures, and group research projects, while exploring fields like neuroscience, microbiology, psychology, and biochemistry.
The program also offers sessions on college prep, leadership, and career planning, while providing mentorship from NIH scientists. HiSTEP focuses on developing research, critical thinking, and science communication skills.
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; service learning hours awarded
Location: Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park, Annapolis, MD
Dates: June 23 – August 22
Application Deadline: June 16
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18
This internship offers students the chance to support environmental education programs during summer camps, assisting with activities such as kayaking, aquarium care, lesson planning, and environmental outreach. You will develop leadership, communication, and outdoor education skills while learning about local ecology, marine biology, and sustainability. The internship is unpaid but offers service learning hours, making it a suitable opportunity for students interested in environmental science, education, or community engagement.
Cost/Stipend: Paid; stipend amount not specified
Location: NSA’s Laboratory for Physical Sciences, Catonsville, MD
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens aged 18 or older by the program start date, enrolled full-time as undergraduate students (rising seniors preferred, graduating Spring 2026 or later), with a minimum 3.0 GPA and strong foundations in mathematics and computer programming.
The NSA’s Future Computing Summer Internship (FCSI) offers an exploration of high-performance computing (HPC), focusing on quantum algorithms, graph theory, and machine learning on specialized architectures. You will work under NSA mentors, contributing to ongoing technical projects that advance computational science critical to national security.
The program concludes with a presentation of research findings to NSA leadership and academic partners. While this internship is aimed at undergraduates, highly advanced high school seniors entering early college programs or dual enrollment pathways may benefit from exploring the program’s eligibility and preparation tracks.
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided; room and board covered during the in-person week
Location: Primarily virtual with final week on campus at Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Dates: June 30 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th graders or graduating seniors planning to enroll at Morgan State University; interest in mathematics, actuarial science, or computer science strongly preferred
SAAMS is a four-week academic enrichment program that exposes high school students to mathematics, actuarial science, and computer science through classes, professional development, and field trips. You will develop critical thinking, study skills, and leadership abilities while exploring STEM careers and participating in team-based projects.
The program is mainly virtual, concluding with a week on campus that provides a residential experience and networking opportunities. SAAMS is especially suited for students planning to pursue STEM degrees at Morgan State University or those exploring actuarial and data science pathways.
Cost/Stipend: Free
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Dates: July 8 – August 2
Application Deadline: April 26
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors who can commute to the University of Maryland campus, have a minimum 3.2 GPA with no Cs in math or science, and have completed Chemistry with a grade of B or higher.
The ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program is a four-week, full-time engineering research program designed for students from underrepresented backgrounds. You will conduct mentored engineering research projects, develop proposals, perform literature reviews, and receive training in college preparation and career readiness.
The program also includes workshops on engineering concepts, data analysis, and presentation skills, while providing exposure to undergraduate and graduate student networks in engineering. This is an intensive hands-on experience designed to prepare students for STEM careers and college-level research.
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 had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! 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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