15 STEM Programs for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re a high school student interested in STEM, joining a well-structured program can be a smart way to explore your academic and career goals. These programs give you access to practical learning, challenging projects, and mentorship from experts in STEM. They also help develop practical skills such as coding, laboratory techniques, and data analysis that extend beyond standard classroom instruction.
Why should you attend a program in New Jersey?
New Jersey offers a wide range of rigorous, competitive STEM programs hosted by universities, research centers, and nonprofits. You might spend your time conducting experiments, coding and analyzing data, designing prototypes, or contributing to faculty-led research projects. Whether you’re looking for engineering labs, biotech research, or computer science immersion, you can find programs that match your interests and provide academic value.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 15 STEM programs for high school students in New Jersey.
If you are looking for summer research programs in New Jersey, check out our blog here.
15 STEM Programs for High School Students in NJ (New Jersey)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 5–6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in local New Jersey school districts; at least 16 years old by June 15
The Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) is a full-time, in-person summer research program offered by Princeton University for high school students from local New Jersey schools. During the program, you’ll be placed into an active science or engineering research group and work under close supervision from Princeton faculty and research staff on a real research project. Projects vary each year across fields such as engineering, biology, chemistry, environmental science, and computational modeling, typically taking place during regular weekday office hours. At the end of the experience, you’ll submit a two-page research summary, making LLP a strong option if you live nearby and want an authentic introduction to university-level lab research.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies by cohort (summer, fall, winter, or spring); program lengths range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines depending on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive one-on-one research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high school student. 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 review students' experiences with the program here and here.
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Stipend: $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th graders; at least 16 years old by July 1; full-time availability for the full program period; strong interest in science or technology
Partners in Science is an intensive, eight-week summer research program run by Liberty Science Center that pairs high school students with professional mentors in science, health, and technical fields. Throughout the program, you’ll gain practical experience working in a college, university, or professional research environment. This hands-on opportunity addresses real scientific questions beyond typical school lab projects. The program focuses on developing research skills, scientific inquiry, and effective science communication through both oral and written means, offering insights into how scientists think and work. Students who complete the program successfully are awarded a stipend, making this a unique paid research opportunity for high school students.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (spring, summer, fall, winter), typically 12–15 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines depending on cohort
Eligibility: High school students; advanced programs require prior AI, Python, or ML experience
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: Drew University, Madison, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~60 scholars annually
Dates: July 12 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live in New Jersey
The Governor’s School of New Jersey Program in the Sciences is a highly selective, three-week residential summer program hosted at Drew University. During the program, you’ll take multiple college-level science courses, participate in laboratory work, and collaborate on intensive team research projects alongside other top-performing students from across the state. The schedule is academically demanding, with structured coursework during the day and lectures, speakers, and project work extending into the evenings. All students reside on campus and participate in a fully immersive residential model, which is central to the experience.
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro and Camden, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live in or attend school in South Jersey (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, or Salem counties)
The RISER program is a six-week, in-person summer research experience hosted by Rowan University for rising seniors interested in biomedical science and engineering. If selected, you’ll be placed in a Biomedical Engineering or Biomedical Sciences lab, where you’ll work on a guided but independent research project under faculty mentorship. RISER concludes with a formal research symposium, where you’ll present your work to faculty, peers, family members, and your nominating teacher.
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid research internship with compensation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Late June – August 25 (10 weeks each summer, for two consecutive summers)
Application Deadline: February 23 (early decision); March 8 (final, or until filled)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors (or rising college freshmen/sophomores); must be at least 16 by June 15; U.S. citizen or permanent resident; able to commit to two full years; must attend school in NJ, NY, PA, or CT and commute to New Brunswick
Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) is a highly immersive, two-year cancer research and professional development program hosted by the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. If selected, you’ll spend each summer working approximately 35 hours per week in a mentor-supervised lab, engaging in basic, clinical, or population-based cancer research. In addition to hands-on research, you’ll participate in seminars on cancer biology, research methods, and scientific literature, and you’ll develop communication skills by preparing a poster and a formal research talk for an annual symposium. RUYES is designed as a long-term commitment, requiring participation over two consecutive summers along with academic-year professional development and community engagement activities.
Location: Department of the Navy laboratories across the United States
Stipend $4,000 for new participants and $4,500 for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 students placed nationwide
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a highly competitive, paid summer research internship that places high school students in real research roles at Department of the Navy laboratories. During the eight-week program, you’ll work alongside professional scientists and engineers on ongoing naval research projects, gaining firsthand exposure to STEM fields connected to national defense and applied research. Internships are matched based on your academic background, interests, and the needs of individual labs, and opportunities span dozens of locations nationwide.
Location: Various NASA centers across the U.S. (in-person and some remote options)
Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by placement
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring sessions (duration varies by cohort)
Application Deadline: Summer: Feb. 27 | Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizens at least 16 years old
NASA’s OSTEM internships give you the chance to work directly on real projects that support the agency’s science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration missions. You’ll spend your internship working side by side with mentors who are scientists, engineers, and professionals across many fields, gaining hands-on experience in a professional research and workplace environment. Internships can be full-time or part-time and may take place at a NASA center or, in some cases, remotely. Throughout the session, you can build technical and professional skills, learn how large-scale scientific organizations operate, and strengthen your resume with nationally recognized experience.
10. STEAM Academy
Location: Glassboro, NJ
Cost: $2,100 – $4,300 (varies by track)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~30 students (Voyagers); ~90–120 students (Navigators and Pathfinders)
Dates: July 5 – 17
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–12; GPA requirements vary by track (2.5+ for Voyagers, 3.0+ for Navigators, 3.5+ for Pathfinders)
Rowan University’s STEAM Academy is a two-week summer academic program that blends STEM and the arts, giving middle and high school students an early taste of college-level learning. You’ll be placed into one of three tracks: Voyagers, Navigators, or Pathfinders, based on your grade level and academic background, with older students taking official, accredited Rowan University courses. Students in grades 10–12 earn 2–3 transferable college credits, making this program especially appealing if you want to strengthen your academic profile before applying to college. The most advanced Pathfinders track includes a research-focused experience with close faculty support, while Navigators balance coursework with leadership and career workshops.
Location: Kean University, Union, NJ
Cost: $2,500 (4-week session) | $1,250 (2-week session) | need-based fee waivers and partial or full scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 31 (4-week session) | July 21 – 31 (2-week session)
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 with an interest in STEM fields
This is a comprehensive summer research program offered by the School of Integrated Science and Technology at Kean University. You’ll work closely with faculty and research staff on active projects in areas such as cancer biology, machine learning, bioinformatics, scientific visualization, and computational or molecular techniques. Additionally, you’ll spend your days learning research methods, developing technical skills, and collaborating with a research team, giving you exposure to how STEM research operates beyond the classroom.
Location: Waksman Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $2,200 (in-person WISE) | $600 (virtual vWISE)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 2 or July 27 – August 7 (in-person) | August 10 – August 21 (virtual)
Application Deadline: Rolling from January 12
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one high school–level biology course
This two-week research program, hosted by the Waksman Institute at Rutgers University, immerses high school students in authentic molecular biology and bioinformatics research. During the in-person program, you’ll attend daily faculty-led seminars and conduct hands-on laboratory work, including purifying DNA and analyzing gene sequences from duckweed (Landoltia punctata). You’ll also learn to use professional bioinformatics tools to compare genetic sequences across species, mirroring the workflow used by practicing scientists. A distinctive feature of WISE is that vetted student-generated DNA sequence analyses are submitted to GenBank, the international DNA sequence database, with students acknowledged by name for published sequences.
Location: Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
Cost: $1,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students interested in science or engineering
This workshop is a one-week, hands-on summer program hosted by Seton Hall University that introduces high school students to real-world scientific research and engineering concepts. You’ll work in small groups on guided projects with faculty members, graduate students, and researchers, with individual projects tailored to your interests and learning goals. Workshop themes span areas such as weather and climate sustainability, robotics and electronics, mechanics, and applied physics, with an emphasis on experimentation and problem-solving over lectures. Each day combines lab work, data collection, and project-based learning in a university research environment.
Location: The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
Cost: $475
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: March 15 (priority); rolling thereafter based on space
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12; must have completed at least one year of high school math and science
Camp Innovate and Investigate is a one-week, in-person pre-college summer program hosted by the School of Science at The College of New Jersey. Here, you’ll participate in hands-on lab sessions and collaborative projects that explore topics across biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and mathematics. The program blends scientific exploration with college-prep components, including workshops on the admissions process, personal statements, and academic planning. You will also engage in real-world science activities, including sustainability projects, environmental data collection, and lab work led by faculty and external partners.
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: $1,525 tuition + $50 registration fee; limited scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – August 6
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors planning to take NJIT FRSC 201 (dual credit) or a high school forensic science course during senior year
The Forensic Science Initiative (FSI) is a five-week, in-person summer program hosted by New Jersey Institute of Technology that introduces high school seniors to forensic science through hands-on, college-level experiences. During the program, you’ll spend four days a week on NJIT’s campus exploring forensic biology, forensic chemistry, crime scene investigation in custom-built labs, forensic law, and applied field research across the greater metropolitan area. The curriculum is designed to prepare you for STEM coursework in college while providing a realistic view of how forensic science is used in real investigations. FSI is closely tied to academic coursework, making it valuable if you’re planning to pursue forensic science or related STEM fields in college.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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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