15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Tampa, FL
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 9 min read
Participating in summer programs while you’re in high school is a great way to explore academic interests, build practical skills, and experience new learning environments outside the classroom. These programs often combine coursework, research, and project-based experiences, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned to new challenges. Many also offer mentorship from university faculty or industry professionals, exposing you to college-level expectations and career pathways.
Why should you attend a program in Tampa, Florida?
Tampa is home to universities and organizations that host a wide range of summer programs for high school studens, offering access to research facilities, workplaces, and university classrooms. As a participant, you can gain experience in labs, classrooms, or professional spaces, while building valuable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. Whether you’re a local student or visiting from another city, Tampa’s mix of academic, professional, and cultural opportunities makes it an engaging place to spend your summer.
To help with your search, we have a list of 15 summer programs for high school students in Tampa, FL.
If you are looking for online STEM summer programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Moffitt Cancer Center (USF Campus), Tampa, FL
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; $1,000 scholarship offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older and enrolled in grade 11 or below
The HIP IMO (High School Internship Program in Integrated Mathematical Oncology) at Moffitt is an eight-week opportunity to explore cancer research. You will work directly with faculty mentors on interdisciplinary cancer research that combines biology with mathematics. You will participate in daily lab work, attend seminars, and engage in scheduled lab meetings alongside senior researchers. You will also learn the fundamentals of scientific documentation, maintain a laboratory journal as well as a digital database of your work, and write a three-page scientific report at the end of the program.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Sessions run throughout the year, including in the summer
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. 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 check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Various nonprofits in Tampa, FL, and a summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded with stipends available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 placements across the U.S.; Tampa-specific cohort details not available
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates vary by role and nonprofit
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors
Bank of America’s Student Leaders is designed for high school students interested in learning about the nonprofit sector. As a Student Leader, you will engage in an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit organization, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs or Habitat for Humanity. You will learn first-hand how nonprofits serve the community while developing essential leadership and workforce skills. The experience also includes a week-long, all-expenses-paid Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will network with peers from across the country.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Program cohorts run all year, including in the summer; duration ranges from 10 to 15 weeks, depending on the program you choose.
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; the AI Fellowship program accepts previous AI Scholar participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
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: Various employers across Hillsborough County, FL
Stipend: $15/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Six weeks in the summer; exact dates vary by role and employer
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Hillsborough County residents, ages 16 – 24
This program connects youth directly with paid work experiences in high-demand industries in Hillsborough County. You will be matched with a local employer for a structured internship where you can earn money while learning valuable workplace soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. The program is designed to bridge the gap between education and the workforce, giving you a real resume entry before you even graduate. As a participant, you will also build career readiness through professional development workshops.
Location: Local placements within a 45-minute distance from your home; opportunities available across all 50 states in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded; $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates are flexible and set by students and mentors
Application deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising and graduating high school seniors, ages 16 and up
Sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, this eight-week paid internship provides exposure to fisheries and aquatic science. Here, you will be matched with a professional mentor in your local area (often at agencies like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission or NOAA) to engage in fisheries science and habitat restoration activities. You will participate in lab work and field research, gaining first-hand insights into what it means to be a biologist. Tasks can vary by placement, but may typically involve testing water quality, electrofishing, conducting fish population surveys, and processing data.
Location: Various County Offices, Tampa, FL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 9 – August 1 | Parks and recreation internships: June 2 – August 1
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High schoolers, 16+, residing and attending public school in Hillsborough County, with a 2.0 GPA
The RISE Internship, hosted by the Hillsborough County government, places students in various county departments. You will work in departments ranging from Public Works to Social Services, gaining a comprehensive understanding of local governance and public administration. This is a paid position that requires a serious commitment to a professional schedule, offering you a realistic taste of the working world. The experience can offer you insights into the daily work involved in the areas of public policy, urban planning, or government relations.
Location: Police facilities in Tampa, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~25 students/year selected by School Resource Officers
Dates: July 29 – August 1
Application deadline: Spring
Eligibility: High school students living in or attending school in Tampa
This week-long academy is a law-enforcement and leadership intensive for high-achieving students interested in public service. You will participate in physical training, leadership workshops, and crime scene investigation simulations alongside serving officers. You will gain a comprehensive look at how a major metropolitan police force operates while building discipline and teamwork. The program serves as a hands-on introduction to law enforcement and a foundation for future careers in law or civic management.
Location: Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots available
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year—the summer session starts June 1. The program requires a commitment of 60 hours over a continuous four-month period.
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 and up
This is an opportunity to volunteer at a Level 1 Trauma Center and gain exposure to the healthcare environment. As a volunteer, you will be assigned to specific departments where you can assist staff, interact with patients, and observe the daily operations of a major hospital. You will also have access to career exploration opportunities, awards and appreciation events, and various volunteer activities. The program requires a serious time commitment: you will work one 3-4 hour shift per week and will be held to the same standards and responsibilities as junior staff members.
10. USF Upward Bound
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective based on eligibility
Dates: Six weeks in the summer + 18 Saturdays and after-school sessions during the academic year
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Local high schoolers living in low-income households or who are potential first-generation college students, attending one of a select number of high schools; check the eligibility criteria for details.
Hosted at the University of South Florida, this federally funded program is designed to help strengthen the academic and personal skills of participating students, helping them pursue post-secondary goals. In the summer, you will spend six weeks on the USF campus, engaging in intensive academic instruction, hands-on STEM activities, and exposure to university research labs. You will take classes in math, literature, composition, lab science, and Spanish, and you will have access to counseling, recreational activities, and career exploration opportunities. The summer intensive offers the chance to experience residential life on a college campus, making it a true college-prep experience. As a participant, you will also engage with the program during the academic year through seminars, campus tours, and other activities to prepare for postsecondary education.
Location: Metropolitan Ministries campus, Tampa, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: June – July (commitment of one or two months, 16 – 20 hours/week)
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students
Metropolitan Ministries’ volunteer program is an opportunity to gain hands-on exposure to social work. You will work directly with families in need, assisting with food distribution, organizing clothing at the thrift store, or helping organize summer camps for children. Opportunities are also available within campus departments like donor services, special events, and education. The program offers first-hand insights into the community support systems in Tampa.
Location: Manougian STEM Education Center at USF, Tampa, FL
Cost: Free for a select group of applicants + winners of the Hillsborough County Math Bowl; $500/week otherwise
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – July 3
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The STEM for Scholars Summer School is designed to introduce high schoolers to advanced STEM topics through a combination of research-based learning and advanced problem-solving. Here, you will also gain insights into how math supports innovation across the sciences. You will learn about areas like nanotechnology, quantum information, and mathematical modeling in epidemiology, machine learning, and bioinformatics, and research within these fields. You will also work on research-based projects that can lead to publications or competition submissions.
Location: USF Tampa’s Muma College of Business, Tampa, FL
Cost: $750; residential add-on available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~60 students
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application deadline: Not specified; registration opens February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
Bulls Finance Camp, offered by the University of South Florida, is designed to help high schoolers gain practical exposure to investing, financial planning, personal finance, corporate finance, and FinTech. Hosted by the USF Muma College of Business, the program combines classroom learning with guest speaker sessions and networking events featuring industry professionals and faculty from the USF Federal Credit Union. At camp, you will explore career paths in finance, learn how to analyze financial data, and work on building financial literacy and decision-making skills. You will also learn how to use Bloomberg Terminals in USF’s trading room.
Location: USF Tampa’s College of Engineering, Tampa, FL
Cost: $1,350; residential add-on available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 22 students
Dates: July 13 – 17 | July 20 – 24
Application deadline: Not specified; registration opens February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
This week-long camp allows you to explore the field of biomedical engineering and associated career paths alongside USF’s electrical/biomedical engineering faculty. You will spend the week planning, building, and testing bioelectrical interfaces in USF’s design lab under the guidance of faculty. You will gain experience working with high-tech tools used by cardiologists, neurosurgeons, and other medical professionals. Additionally, you will learn how to measure bioelectrical signals, learn about biomedical data storage and analysis, and explore tools and technologies in healthcare.
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $999.99
Cohort size: ~30 students/year
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 20 – 24
Application deadline: Not specified; registrations open on February 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
This camp is an opportunity to dive into robotics through a project-based curriculum under the guidance of USF College of Engineering faculty. As a participant, you will design, build, and program an AMR (autonomous mobile robot) using tools like sensors, actuators, Raspberry Pi, and 3D-printed parts. You will also explore topics in robotics theory, circuit design, Python, and industrial robotics, and learn how to work with ABB RobotStudio. You will leave with a self-designed robot and programming files to continue learning at home.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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