14 STEM Summer Programs for High School Students in New Jersey (NJ)
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 6
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 5
If you're a high school student in New Jersey interested in STEM, summer programs can be a practical way to explore the field beyond the classroom. These programs often focus on hands-on learning in areas like robotics, biotechnology, and environmental science, helping you apply academic concepts in real-world settings.
Many are hosted by local universities and research institutions, offering access to labs, college-level instruction, and structured project work. Unlike longer internships, these programs typically run for a few days or weeks, making them a more manageable option for students with limited availability over the summer.
Alongside academic learning, you may also have opportunities to connect with faculty, professionals, and peers—support that can be useful as you think about future college and career decisions.
To help you explore your options, we’ve put together a list of summer STEM programs available to high school students in New Jersey.
14 STEM Summer Programs for High School Students in New Jersey (NJ)
Location: Remote
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Highly competitive
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June-August), Fall (September-December), Winter (December-February), and Spring (March-June).
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school |No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive academic experience designed specifically for high school students interested in conducting in-depth research. This 12-week program matches students with Ph.D. mentors for personalized, one-on-one guidance as they work on an independent research project. By the end of the program, each student produces a full-length research paper.
You can choose from a wide range of subjects, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and many others. It’s a great opportunity for students to explore academic interests at a deeper level. You can learn more about the application process here.
Cost: Free
Location: Princeton, NJ
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: 6% (700+ applicants for 40 spots)
Dates: Custom dates based on research mentor; typically June–August for 5–6 weeks
Application Deadline: February 15 - March 15
Eligibility: High school students who are 16+ by June 15, and US citizens or legal permanent residents.
At Princeton’s Laboratory Learning Program (LLP), you’ll work alongside faculty mentors and research staff on active projects in areas such as molecular biology, environmental science, artificial intelligence, and materials catalysis. You’ll learn to formulate hypotheses, design and execute experiments using advanced lab equipment, and analyze data with scientific rigor. Throughout the program, you’ll attend lab group meetings and seminars where you’ll present your findings and receive feedback, honing your communication and critical thinking skills. Collaboration with graduate students and postdocs offers mentorship and insight into the day‑to‑day of academic research. By completing a concise written summary of your work, you’ll leave with both practical laboratory experience and a clear demonstration of your ability to contribute to cutting‑edge research.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Selective
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts over the year in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students located across the globe. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, provides immersive AI programs tailored for high school students. The AI Scholars Program is designed for those new to the field, featuring 10 sessions that introduce essential topics in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science, along with practical experience through real-world projects.
More experienced students can apply for the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, where they receive one-on-one mentorship from experts at top universities while working on a unique research project. A key advantage of the fellowship is guidance from Veritas AI’s in-house publication team, helping students publish their work in high school research journals. You can also browse past student projects for inspiration. Whether you're just beginning or looking to deepen your expertise, Veritas AI offers a valuable pathway into AI. Publishing opportunities available through Veritas AI can significantly enhance your college applications. Apply here
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; fee waivers available
Location: Virtual and In-Person
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Age 15+ for remote/in-person computer lab internships and Age 16+ for in-person wet-lab internships
At George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP), you’ll spend eight weeks conducting original research under the supervision of faculty mentors and graduate students. You’ll engage in hands-on projects using advanced tools and technologies across disciplines ranging from cybersecurity and computational science to bioengineering and environmental analysis. Throughout the program, you’ll build skills in data analysis, modeling, statistical reasoning, and scientific writing employing tools like Python, R, and MATLAB. You’ll also take part in workshops and discussion forums that introduce you to STEM career paths and ethical research practices. The experience culminates with a symposium where you’ll present your findings alongside peers and university researchers, reinforcing your presentation and communication skills.
Cost/Stipend: Free; $300 need-based stipend available
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Approximately 10–20%, with 15% typical for the summer immersion program
Dates: Session 1: July 7-18 and Session 2: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Female and non-binary students in grades 9–11
At the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program, you’ll spend two weeks in a live, virtual setting learning core web development skills like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and even introductory Python if offered all guided by experienced instructors. You’ll work on hands‑on coding projects such as websites, quizzes, and simple apps, building practical programming capabilities through real‑world examples. Throughout the program, you’ll benefit from mentorship via daily support, guest panels, and connections to engineers at major tech firms like MetLife, AT&T, and Snapchat. The curriculum also includes career panels and community‑building activities to help you gain confidence and explore tech pathways. All program components are offered free of charge, with additional need‑based stipends and tech access support available. By the end, you’ll leave with a project portfolio, stronger coding fundamentals, and a network of peer support in the tech community.
Cost/Stipend: Free.
Cohort Size: Less than 100.
Location: Rutgers University School of Engineering, Piscataway, NJ
Dates: July 5 - 25
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: New Jersey resident and high school junior during the school year
At the Governor’s School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology at Rutgers, you’ll spend four weeks immersed in advanced STEM coursework and team-based research projects—all tuition-free and residential. You’ll take core classes in robotics and physics, plus elective courses in areas like bioinstrumentation, CAD, or computational design. Working in small groups, you’ll define a novel engineering problem, design experiments or prototypes, and develop a conference-style paper and presentation to showcase at the program symposium. Along the way, you’ll visit 2–3 local companies such as IBM, Lockheed Martin, or Merck to see how engineering is applied in industry. You’ll also take part in skill-building workshops and hear from guest speakers across academia and industry, helping you develop both technical and leadership capabilities. You’ll join a cohort of roughly 90 students chosen from over 1,000 applicants, with an acceptance rate under 10%, highlighting the program’s competitive prestige.
Cost/Stipend: Free
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Highly selective with a small cohort
Dates: April 15 – June 15
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have a background in computer science
At Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s EDIT ML Summer Internship, you’ll spend eight weeks on projects that apply machine learning to healthcare challenges, such as developing diagnostic tools for pathology images, analyzing clinical text, or working with multi-omics data. You’ll use industry-standard tools like Python and R on high-performance computing systems, gaining practical skills in data preprocessing, model development, and algorithm evaluation. Through guided mentorship by Ph.D.-level researchers and regular seminars, you’ll understand real-world workflows like clinical data integration and IRB-supported research. The program culminates in a final presentation where you’ll demonstrate your project outcomes to both healthcare and AI professionals, reflecting the full lifecycle of clinical AI research.
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: The High School program selects 13 interns (for high school students) each summer
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school senior (the summer after graduation, not after junior year) at least 16 years old and authorized to work in the United States
At Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s High School Summer Internship, you’ll spend five to ten weeks working full-time in a professional fusion research environment alongside staff scientists and engineers. Through hands-on projects in plasma diagnostics, computational modeling, or experiment support, you’ll gain practical skills in data collection, analysis, and laboratory techniques. Mentorship from researchers familiarizes you with the scientific process, from planning and troubleshooting experiments to interpreting results and preparing brief research summaries or posters. You’ll also have the opportunity to communicate your work in presentations to peers, mentors, and invited guests, strengthening your scientific communication skills. Throughout the internship, you’ll build technical confidence while exploring plasma science as a potential academic or career path.
Cost/Stipend: Free (unpaid)
Location: Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Typically under 20 interns are admitted
Dates: Mid-July – Mid-August (4 weeks)
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 17 years old by July 1 and U.S. resident with a strong interest in science (advanced coursework preferred).
At the Coriell Summer Experience for High School Students, you’ll spend four weeks in Coriell’s cutting‑edge biobanking and molecular biology labs, working alongside professional scientists and lab technicians. You’ll carry out hands‑on tasks like DNA extraction, karyotyping, and working with induced pluripotent stem cells, gaining practical skills in biotechnology and sample handling. Weekly seminars led by Coriell researchers and invited experts will deepen your understanding of current topics in genetics and biomedicine. Throughout the program, you’ll also participate in small‑group career development workshops covering resume writing, interviewing, and public speaking, culminating in a formal research presentation to Coriell staff and peers.
At the culmination of the program, you will present a formal PowerPoint presentation discussing what you have learned at the institute to an assembly of Coriell staff and your peers.
Cost/Stipend: Stipend amount varies by internship location and program duration
Location: Stockton University, Galloway, NJ
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Sponsors about 120 high school students annually across 52 universities
Dates: Dates vary. Typically from late June to early August.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents
At Stockton University’s Army Research and Engineering Apprenticeship. Program (REAP), you’ll spend 6–8 weeks working directly with faculty mentors on real-world STEM research projects in fields like chemistry, environmental science, and engineering. You’ll gain hands-on experience using advanced lab instruments to investigate topics such as light-sensitive organic reactions or environmental chemical analysis. The program emphasizes applying theoretical knowledge in practical settings, enhancing your skills in experimental design, data collection, and analytical techniques. You’ll also participate in weekly seminars and a final symposium where you’ll present your research findings alongside your peers.
Cost/Stipend: $150 program fee
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 23 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 10th or 11th grade by June with a minimum 3.75 GPA, and are residents of or studying in New Jersey
At NJIT’s Provost High School Summer Research Internship, you’ll engage in a six-week, full-time research experience under the supervision of faculty and graduate/undergraduate mentors in areas like AI, data science, bioscience, environmental science, and materials engineering. You’ll begin with intensive lab orientation before diving into your own research project, designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and applying programming skills in Python or MATLAB. Weekly seminars and mentor discussions will enrich your understanding of ethical research practices and professional development in STEM.
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount varies)
Location: Virtual & on-site options at NASA centers across the U.S.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement supports over 2,000 interns per year across field centers and sessions
Dates: Varies by position
Application Deadline: February 27 (Summer cohort) and May 22 (Fall cohort)
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
At NASA’s OSTEM Internship Program, you’ll spend 10 weeks (summer. session, with similar fall and spring options) working alongside NASA scientists and engineers at one of ten NASA field centers or remotely. During your internship, you’ll contribute to authentic projects in areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, aerospace systems, virtual/augmented reality, and satellite data analysis. You’ll gain hands-on experience developing software, testing prototypes, building machine learning models, and conducting systems analysis while using tools such as Python and relevant algorithms. Mentorship from NASA experts will guide your work and provide insights into research processes, engineering design, and space technology workflows. By the end of the program, you’ll present your results either through written reports or presentations to peers and professionals, showcasing your technical and communication skills.
Cost/Stipend: $850 + $40 application fee
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 - 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students entering 9-12 grade in Fall; Over the age of 14 by the start of the program
At the Stanford Summer Research Internship, a two-week virtual program hosted by the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI), you’ll explore how AI is being used in healthcare. Through expert-led lectures, you’ll gain insight into foundational concepts in medical AI, while small group sessions allow you to collaborate on hands-on research projects. You receive guidance from Stanford student leads and researchers, participate in virtual Career Lunch & Learns with professionals across academia, industry, nonprofits, and government, and join social activities that build community. At the conclusion of the program, you’ll present your findings and receive a Certificate of Completion. Exceptional participants may be invited to continue with an extended independent research internship, offering a deeper path into Stanford-level research.
Cost/Stipend: Participants do receive a stipend
Location: Liberty Science Center, NJ
Acceptance Rate/Cohort size: Hosts approximately 38–40 students per summer
Dates: June 25 - August 16
Application Deadline: Typically early March
Eligibility: Rising 11-12 graders by June; 16 years old by July 1
At Liberty Science Center’s Partners in Science program, you’ll engage in an eight-week summer research experience alongside professional mentors in university and hospital labs. During the program, you'll take on real scientific questions across fields like biology, health sciences, and engineering, gaining hands-on lab experience beyond the typical classroom setting. You’ll develop essential skills in scientific inquiry, data collection, and analysis while improving your ability to communicate findings clearly, both orally and in writing, through weekly seminars and a final symposium. Collaboration with peers and mentors nurtures critical thinking and fosters lifelong professional connections.
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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