15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Long Island
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 13
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 10
If you are a high school student in Long Island looking for opportunities to explore your interests and build skills before college, a summer program can be a great way to spend your school break. Summer programs tend to offer great hands-on summer learning experiences and opportunities to build skills like critical thinking and communication, beyond what your classroom lessons can offer!
Whether you are interested in research, marine science, AI, or technology, local programs can offer practical exposure to various fields. These programs may also offer access to well-equipped facilities like research labs, experienced faculty, and/or professionals, providing a closer look at how different fields operate. Some programs also offer benefits like college credit, mentorship from experienced educators, financial assistance/low-cost participation, and opportunities to work with credible host organizations.
To help you get started, we’ve come up with 15 summer programs for high school students in Long Island. We have focused on programs that offer academic value, accessibility, and career exploration and networking opportunities.
Location: Remote
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines are set throughout the year corresponding to various cohorts; the upcoming Summer Cohort’s deadline is June 23.
Dates: Programs can run from 12 weeks to a year, depending on the format you choose; Summer Cohort I starts on June 2, and Summer Cohort II starts on July 14
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record
Lumiere Education’s Research Scholar Program offers high school students a 12-week, one-on-one research experience with PhD mentors from top universities. You can select a research track aligned with your academic interests, ranging from neuroscience and machine learning to economics and sustainability, and work one-on-one with a mentor to develop a publication-ready research paper. You will also work with a writing coach during the program. By the end of the session, you will have a college-level research paper. The personalized mentorship model, fully remote engagement, and selective admissions process make Lumiere’s summer programs worth considering for high school students in Long Island. You can find more details about the program formats and subject areas here.
Cost: $250/program or session
Location: New York Institute of Technology’s Long Island Campus, Old Westbury, NY
Application deadline: May 6
Dates: Clean Water & Sanitation/Program 1: July 21 – 25 | Sustainable Cities and Communities/Program 2: July 28 – August 1
Eligibility: high school students who are 14 – 18 years old
The High School Summer Maker Academy, offered by the New York Institute of Technology, is an on-campus experience for high school students interested in learning about the challenges of climate change outlined in the UN Sustainability Goals. You can choose from two programs: ”Clean Water & Sanitation” and “Sustainable Cities and Communities”. Program 1 is a week-long experience, where you will work in a team and design and build a vehicle that can transport clean water and deliver it to water-stressed areas. Program 2 focuses on smart city creation. Here, you will design and create a technologically advanced, environmentally friendly, small-scale Smart City. In both programs, you will have access to guidance from instructors and team coaches. Both programs offer an opportunity to use 3-D modeling, laser cutting/engraving, 3-D printing, PCB design, soldering, and Arduino programming skills to solve challenges. You will also get to present your work.
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: June 22 for the upcoming summer cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts scheduled throughout the year, including summer sessions
Eligibility: High school students | To participate in the AI Fellowship program, you need to have been an AI Scholars participant or have some experience working with Python
Veritas AI offers a variety of programs. The AI Scholars is a 10-session introduction to AI, allowing you to explore core AI concepts through hands-on projects. It’s a beginner-friendly opportunity to build foundational skills in Python and machine learning. For students ready to learn advanced concepts, the AI Fellowship program offers a chance to work 1-on-1 with a mentor on an independent AI project. These projects often explore real-world applications and can be submitted to high school research journals with the program’s editorial support. If you are interested in working on projects that apply AI techniques to real-world medical challenges, you can consider the Deep Dive: AI + Medicine, a 10-week online program covering the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare.
Cost: No tuition fees, but residential students have to pay $2,360.25
Location: Stony Brook University (north shore of Long Island), Stony Brook, NY
Application deadline: February 7
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: High school juniors (11th grade) who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and at least 16 years old
The Simons Summer Research Program places students in a real lab setting to work on cutting-edge scientific research under faculty mentorship. You will work with a faculty mentor from Stony Brook University or Brookhaven National Laboratory and get to engage in real-world research projects. The program includes weekly faculty research talks and workshops. You will also attend a closing poster symposium, where you will present your findings. This experience provides a glimpse into the life of a researcher and can be a worthwhile addition to your academic journey.
Cost: Free
Location: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton (on Eastern Long Island), NY
Application deadline: April 2
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 11th grade and are at least 16 years old
The HSRP at Brookhaven National Laboratory provides students with an opportunity to engage in scientific research alongside experienced scientists and engineers. The program focuses on providing hands-on experiences, allowing you to contribute to ongoing research and gain insights into scientific careers. The program also offers access to state-of-the-art lab facilities and seminars on scientific communication and ethics. You will also get to develop technical skills and participate in weekly research group meetings. At the end of the program, you will get to share your experience with others through a poster session and/or an oral presentation.
Cost: $80 application fee + $3,965 (online) | $6,310 (commuter) | $12,764 (residential); financial aid available
Location: Online or in-person at Columbia University, New York, NY (about an hour away from Long Island, NY)
Application deadline: May 1
Dates: Multiple sessions—In-person Session A: June 30 – July 18 | In-person Session B: July 22 – August 8 | Online Session A: July 7 – 18 | Online Session B: July 21 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed one year of high school biology
Columbia University offers several pre-college experiences to high school students, allowing them to enroll in university-level courses and explore interests in various STEM, arts, business, finance, and other fields. If you are interested in learning about the complexities of the human brain, Columbia University’s Introduction to Neuroscience: Understanding the Brain offers a comprehensive experience. This course provides an overview of brain structure and function, covering topics like neural communication, sensory systems, and neurological disorders. Through lectures and discussions, you will learn about the principles of neuroscience and their applications in real-world contexts. The course also includes guest lectures by leading neuroscientists and site visits to Columbia’s medical centers.
Cost: $1,000
Location: Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Application deadline: May 31
Dates: July 7 – 25
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10 to 12 and undergraduate students
The Science and Research Awareness Series (SARAS) at Stony Brook University is a three-week program focused on biomedical science. Here, you will get to explore anesthesia research, engage in laboratory work, and participate in clinical observation. You will also attend lab safety sessions, lectures, workshops, and discussions led by experts. The program’s mentorship model allows you to collaborate closely with physicians and researchers, gaining insight into medical careers and biomedical innovation. You will also get insights into the importance of research in advancing medical knowledge and potential career paths in science and healthcare.
Cost: $800; limited number of partial scholarships availableLocation: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Application deadline: May 1
Dates: July 14 – 18
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12
Stony Brook University's Engineering Summer Program is a one-week on-campus experience covering fundamental concepts in electrical engineering and computer programming. Here, you will explore electricity and magnetism by building electromagnetic motors, generating electric currents, and connecting these concepts to real-world engineering applications. You will also learn through hands-on activities, from assembling basic circuits to developing more advanced electronics projects using breadboards and microprocessors. As a participant, you will receive a Raspberry Pi, a credit-card-sized programmable computer, and learn how to code using it. You will end the session by completing a final project that integrates hardware and code. You will also get to take the project home. The program is an opportunity to develop problem-solving skills and explore potential career paths in engineering.
Cost: A single three-credit course costs $1,100 for in-state students and ~$3,300 for out-of-state students | Optional ~$800 for housing
Location: Stony Brook Southampton Campus, Southampton, NY
Application deadline: Admissions are closed for the season
Dates: Session I: May 27 - July 18; Session II: June 23 - Aug 16
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above who have completed high school biology.
The SoMAS Program offers high school students the chance to study marine and atmospheric sciences in one of Long Island’s ecologically rich coastal settings. With a focus on environmental fieldwork and oceanographic research, these courses cover environmental and marine science topics including marine ecosystems, climate change, coastal processes, and environmental sustainability. You will learn about these concepts through lectures, in-class activities, and fieldwork. During the program, you will engage in hands-on lab work, field sampling, and data collection, often venturing into bays, estuaries, and beaches to apply scientific methods in real time. You will also get to earn college credit while gaining hands-on experience in marine science.
Cost: $745 per week
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead (in Long Island), NY
Application deadline: Early application recommended.
Dates: August 11 – 15
Eligibility: High school students
For students considering a future in medicine, Hofstra University's MedPathways Camp offers an introduction to the field. This one-week program combines hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and lectures, offering you insights into various medical careers. You will engage in workshops on suturing, manual dexterity exercises, first aid, and clinical documentation, alongside interactive sessions that simulate real-world diagnosis and treatment planning. You may also get to tour labs, engage in clinical case studies, and participate in health-related quizzes and games during the program. The program can help you build technical skills as well as professional skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork, which are essential for pursuing a career in medicine.
Cost: $575
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Application deadline: July 12
Dates: August 4 – 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 15 or older
Through IACS Computes!, the Institute for Advanced Computational Science at Stony Brook University challenges high school students to solve real-world problems using programming, data analysis, and modeling. During the session, you will learn programming with Python and explore software technologies that drive advancements in science, industry, and business through hands-on activities and projects. You will also get insights into how big-data analytics and high-performance computing are used to address problems in science and engineering. You will also get to work on team projects focusing on these themes. The program is designed for students without prior coding experience, making it worth considering if you are a beginner interested in the intersection of computing and scientific research.
Cost: $725
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Application deadline: May 1
Dates: July 14 – 18
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 9th grade and have not yet taken a formal forensics course
If you are intrigued by crime scene investigations and the science behind solving mysteries, the Explorations in Forensics Camp offers a hands-on introduction to forensic science. Over a week, you will engage in activities that mirror real-world forensic techniques and learn about forensic science. You will also get to process a mock crime scene. During the program, you will get to explore the interdisciplinary nature of forensic science, which borrows concepts from fields of biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, biochemistry, and other applied sciences. The program combines learning with practical activities, providing you with a glimpse into the world of forensic science.
Cost: $2,000
Location: Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology, Stony Brook, NY
Application deadline: May 30
Dates: July 7 – 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 12
The Artificial Intelligence and Self-Driving Summer Program by Sunrise AI Tech introduces high school students to autonomous vehicle technology and machine learning. Over two weeks, you will learn foundational coding concepts, dive into neural networks, and apply AI algorithms to build and program your own self-driving car models. You will also get a personal AI-powered robotic car kit, which you will train, test, and refine throughout the program. The curriculum focuses on practical implementation, allowing you to program vehicles to navigate real-world conditions using sensors and onboard computation. The session ends with a final challenge, where you and other participants will get to demonstrate the designed vehicles’ autonomous navigation skills.
Cost: Free
Location: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Application deadline: April 4
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Eligibility: Students in 9th grade
The STEM Prep Summer Institute is a three-week introduction to STEM fields. The program offers hands-on activities guided by experienced educators and opportunities to learn about scientific research and its real-world applications. You will get to learn via modules, which cover topics in chemistry, physics, biology, atmospheric sciences, and scientific computing. Along with interactive learning opportunities, you will get to connect with Brookhaven Lab's scientific and technical staff and learn about various STEM careers. The experience also offers some insights into Brookhaven Lab and the Department of Energy’s ongoing research.
Cost: $650; partial scholarships are availableLocation: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Application deadline: May 1
Dates: July 14 – 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 to 12 who have not yet taken a physics course and have a strong interest in math and science
The Physics Summer Program at Stony Brook University offers a hands-on introduction to the fundamental principles of physics for high school students who have not yet taken a formal physics course. Over one week, you will participate in daily experiments and get to design, build, and test projects related to given themes. These activities are complemented by guided tours of cutting-edge campus facilities and research labs, providing you with a glimpse into the world of scientific research. During the program, you will also explore topics like light, electricity, Newtonian mechanics, and quantum mechanics. At the end of the program, you will attend the Family Showcase, where you get to share your program experience and projects with other participants and the general audience.
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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