15 STEM Internships for High School Students in Toronto
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 7
- 12 min read
Updated: Oct 5
If you are a secondary school student in Toronto, looking for a way to get some hands-on experience in a STEM field of choice, an internship in the city can be a great starting point. Such an experience can help you develop skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving that are crucial for a career in STEM. As an intern, you may also get to work with experts as well as peers on real projects.
STEM internships are also a way to assess your interests before committing to a college degree. Internships can also look good on your college application and resume, highlighting your willingness to learn beyond the classroom and get a head start in your career.
To help you find the right opportunities, we have put together a list of 15 STEM internships for high school students in Toronto.
15 STEM Internships for High School Students in Toronto
Location: Virtual
Dates: Vary based on the program format. Multiple cohorts run each year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Varies by cohort—Spring: January deadline | Summer: May deadline | Fall: September deadline | Winter: November deadline
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can commit to working 10 to 20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective hands-on work opportunity for high school students interested in working with high-growth start-ups on STEM-based projects. While applying, you can indicate your preference for internships in fields like tech/deep tech, AI & ML, health tech, engineering, or other STEM fields! The start-ups here, on average, have raised over a million dollars. You will be paired with an organization that aligns with your interests and work on a project relevant to the start-up, like creating an app for an e-commerce portal, analyzing the market reach for a product, or assisting a health-tech company to expand its reach to a wider base of patients. As an intern, you will meet regularly with the start-up’s management as well as a Ladder Coach, who will be a second mentor to you during the internship. You will also make a professional-level project presentation to the company and receive a letter of completion. You can explore areas and program formats on the application form.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (hourly rate details will be mentioned in the offer letter)
Location: Hybrid—virtual + in-person in downtown Toronto
Dates: July 2 – August 20
Application deadline: March-end; dates TBA
Eligibility: Ontario-based students in grades 11 and 12 who have a working knowledge of one or more programming languages, experience with tech concepts or coding, and MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint) skills
The Royal Bank of Canada offers Ontario high schoolers eight-week paid internships through the Summer Tech Lab Program. As an intern, you will work on solving real organizational problems with guidance and mentorship from RBC technologists, business professionals, and executives. The hands-on internship offers a collaborative setup and exposure to the use of innovation and technology in business growth. All the required hardware and software will be provided by RBC. You will work with your peers in a group of four to design, develop, and test a prototype that is meaningful to a business enterprise at RBC. You will use JavaScript, GitHub, React.js, and agile methodology to work on assigned tasks. You will also attend tech talks and sessions with RBC's subject matter experts, and make weekly presentations to your peers and stakeholders to build communication and public speaking skills.
Cost: Varies according to program. Financial aid available
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Rolling, with multiple summer cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program allows high school students to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. The program pairs you with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. You'll attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with your tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. You can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the program’s end, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Stipend: $15/hr
Location: SickKids Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, ON
Dates: July 4 – August 12
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Students in grades 11 and 12 who are Black, Filipino, or Indigenous, at least 16 years of age, and Canadian citizens/permanent residents | Applicants must have previously taken grade 10 science (preferably grade 11/12 biology and chemistry)
The Student Advancement Research (StAR) program is a summer research internship for Black, Filipino, and Indigenous high school students. Here, you will get hands-on insights into the clinical and lab research work at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and learn about pursuing a career in STEMM. You will also get access to other science careers and research experiences through the Kids Science program. During the program, you will be assigned to a SickKids research lab. Here, under the guidance of research mentors, you will work on a research project and present your findings in a research symposium. In the process, you will get to work on key skills, including research techniques, laboratory, collaboration, presentation, and communication.
Cost/Stipend: Free
Location: Virtual
Dates: Typically in February, with in-person sessions from October through May
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Students who identify as women, including two-spirit, transgender, and non-binary individuals, between the ages of 14 and 18
University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management’s Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) Apprentice Program provides students with hands-on exposure to STEM careers. During the program, you will learn about the process of developing a business in the science and tech fields and access opportunities to develop your leadership and entrepreneurial skills. This virtual program provides access to online modules on emerging technology. You can also apply for optional in-person CDL session days, which have a separate application and selection process. If selected for the in-person portion, you will get to meet start-up founders and entrepreneurial mentors and engage in challenges in niche areas, including space, energy, computational health, AI, climate tech, and biomedical engineering. The program can help you learn about science-based innovations and how they are used to solve real-world challenges.
Cost/Stipend: As determined by the Intern Host Organization (IHO)
Location: Varies; you can inquire by contacting the TDSB office
Dates: Vary; determined by the Intern Host Organization (IHO)
Application deadline: As determined by the Intern Host Organization (IHO)
Eligibility: Individuals between 15 and 30 years old who are Canadian citizens/permanent residents/refugees and can legally work in Canada | Applicants must meet IHO's job requirements.
In collaboration with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the Toronto District School Board offers a Youth Internships (YI) program to help Canadian youth acquire digital skills and improve their chances of employability. With this program, you will be able to develop relevant digital skills through an Intern Host Organization (IHO), which is designed to provide an immersive training experience. You will get to access the guidance of mentors and work on various information and communications technology-related assignments, such as creating online forms, developing a website, etc. The experience can help you build practical skills and get some exposure to professional environments.
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Location: Virtual
Dates: Vary; typically lasts 10 weeks
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students
Indus Space Inc., a Canadian-based social enterprise, offers high school students across Canada virtual co-op placements to explore STEM careers while getting some work experience. Here, you will work under the mentorship of space professionals and explore the basics of space exploration and space science. You will be able to add to your knowledge about the types of rocks in the solar system, work on creating a science activity for kids, and learn about the latest innovative tools. You will get to work on a space-themed research project with your peers, acquire coding skills, and sharpen your communication, problem-solving, technological, and time-management skills. Earlier project themes have included researching biology experiments onboard the International Space Station, creating a space-themed calendar of events for social media, and compiling facts about solar eclipses.
Cost/Stipend: Free; no stipend
Location: Virtual
Dates: Five weeks in the summer (exact dates not specified)
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors living anywhere in North America (the U.S. or Canada) with a strong academic record
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS) Virtual Program offers remote research-focused internships to high school students in the U.S. and Canada interested in the biomedical or neurological sciences. The five-week internship offers an immersive, hands-on, mentored research-focused experience in a specific area of brain medicine and research under the guidance of biomedical research professionals. During the program, you will learn about scientific research methods, undergo training in basic lab techniques, and explore how to conduct research responsibly. You will also engage in science-based activities that boost your critical thinking skills. The program also offers professional development training to help you prepare for a future career in neuroscience-related research.
Cost: $4,380 + $95 application fee
Location: Virtual
Dates: July 28 – August 8
Application deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and rising high school juniors, seniors, or pre-med undergraduates
Stanford’s Clinical Summer Internship is a virtual opportunity for students around the world interested in exploring professions in medicine and healthcare. During the internship, you will get to attend online lectures and expert-led interactive sessions and learn about techniques like suturing, administering injections, and conducting physical exams. You will also work on medical case studies, make diagnoses, and suggest treatment. At the end of the session, you will participate in a group presentation to discuss your medical case. This experience can help you learn about different medical specialties and develop the technical skills required to pursue a career in medicine.
Cost/Stipend: $100 application fee; scholarships available | No stipend is offered
Location: Remote opportunities available
Dates: June 1 – August 16
Application deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students
Supported by the Computer Science Department at the Colorado School of Mines, the Computing for the Good (C4G) internship is an unpaid summer research internship opportunity. You can work on a selected or assigned collaborative task, including assisting a research team in AI/ML, cyber security, or robotics, or an outreach program for K-8 students (such as in a virtual summer camp), or a C4G project. During the internship, you will engage with guest speakers, Mines undergraduates, and faculty, and work on a project focused on the social impact of technology. You will start with a brainstorming session to choose a project idea. Then, with peers, you will develop the project, incorporate ethical considerations, track its progress, and test and improve it before making a final presentation highlighting its potential impact. Earlier interns have worked on a mental health tracker, a carbon footprint calculator, and website development for a non-profit.
Cost/Stipend: Free with a $25 application fee (waiver available based on financial need); no stipend
Location: Remote options available
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP is a research-based internship for high school students. Here, you get to explore a STEM field and research topic in detail, along with cutting-edge research equipment and technologies. As an intern, you will also find opportunities to sharpen communication skills, develop research skills, analyze data, and understand how to write scientific papers. You will work one-on-one with university/collaborating institution faculty researchers in niche STEM areas, such as robotics, forensic science, mathematical modeling, astronomy, biochemistry, drug discovery, or civil engineering. You will also participate in discussions and interact with STEM professionals and researchers. The program wraps up with a final poster session at the annual ASSIP symposium, with the possibility of your contributions getting published in an academic journal or presented at a scientific conference.
Cost: Free
Location: University of Toronto, St George Campus, Toronto, Ontario
Dates: July 7 – August 1 (summer program) + year-long engagement from October to February
Application deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Black Canadian students currently in grades 10 and 11
U of T’s BLUEPRINT program provides high school students opportunities to learn fundamental engineering concepts and work in labs. It offers two courses: Engineering and Human Health and Mechatronics and Automation, which cover various engineering fields and core concepts. You may get to engage in hands-on activities like creating code for robots in the mechatronics lab and/or learning how to diagnose sickle cell anaemia in the biomedical engineering lab. You will subsequently have a year-long engagement with U of T Engineering through either of two programs: “Prepare” for 11th graders and “My Academic Planning Sessions (MAPS)” for 12th graders. These programs consist of webinars that can help you build leadership abilities and prepare for post-secondary education. You will learn from Master’s and Doctoral students about the ways in which design and innovation can be applied to any engineering field. You will also get to build technical and interdisciplinary skills by working with your peers on a group task to design a solution to a client’s problem. Educational excursions and community-building events are also part of the experience. The program will wrap up with a presentation.
Cost: $495 (358.14 USD) with financial aid offered based on funding availability
Location: York University, Keele Campus (some courses are also offered at the Markham campus, Ontario
Dates: July 7 – August 1 (five-day programs)
Application deadline: Till spots fill up
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 12 | Applicants should preferably have a minimum overall average of 80%
York University's Spark Lab Programs offer high schoolers an opportunity to explore science fields through hands-on experimentation sessions led by undergraduate/graduate science students, teacher candidates, Ontario-certified teachers, and YU faculty. You can choose between Experimental Spark courses and Research Spark courses. During the program, you will explore diverse fields of physics, biology, and chemistry, including astronomy, forensic science, physiology, biomedical science, environmental biotechnology, and pharmaceutical chemistry. You will work in labs with the latest equipment during the program and find opportunities to develop professional skills like communication. You will also have access to advice on pursuing a career in a scientific field of your interest.
Cost: $60 (43 USD) application fee with early bird discount + $725 (524.56 USD)/week for domestic students | $1,100 (795.8 USD)/week for international students | $1,800 (1302.2 USD)/week for residential option
Location: University of Toronto’s St George Campus, Toronto, Ontario
Dates: July 7 – August 22 (six sessions to choose from, each for one week)
Application deadline: Round 1 (Early Bird): March 23 | Round 2: April 13 | Round 3: May 4 | Round 4: Rolling till May 5 | Residential program: June 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 12 who completed at least one year of high school | Students enrolling for the grade 9/10 program must have completed grade 9 math and science courses by June | Students enrolling for the grade 11/12 program must have completed grade 11 math and science courses (chemistry and physics) by June
The CREATE: Engineering Design Challenges is a one-week program offered by U of T's Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. It allows high school students to attend as many weeks of the program as they want while sticking to one course per week. Here, you will learn from current undergraduate and graduate students and get a broader understanding of engineering and science. You will get hands-on STEM experience by working on a project, in which you will apply what you learn to solve a real-world challenge in STEM fields, such as aviation, biomedical engineering, chemical and process engineering, game design, and robotics. The program also includes lab work, site visits, and practical activities.
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend
Location: Virtual
Dates: Flexible—half-time internships (2–8 weeks in the summer) and quarter-time internships (1–9 months)
Application deadline: Applications are open all year round
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA over 3.0 | Applicants must have taken at least one Honors Science/English class
EnergyMag offers year-round, unpaid research opportunities to high school students interested in renewable energy and climate change. As an intern, you will be assigned a research project about a specific company, technology, or market and work under the guidance of a research mentor. You will conduct research on a specific company, technology, or market and contact stakeholders to get information. You will also communicate with experts, analyze the data collected, and draft a detailed report on your findings. The experience can help you sharpen your research and communication skills. Your finished report will be published on the EnergyMag portal with due credits.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in conducting your own STEM research, you can consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective virtual high school programs for students founded in partnership with Harvard and Oxford researchers. In the past, 4,000 students applied for just 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also, consider checking out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, which is a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we offered 150 students complete 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 in which students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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