15 Summer Science Programs for High School Students in Long Island
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 4
- 9 min read
If you are a high school student in Long Island interested in science, a summer program can be a practical way to explore your interests and gain hands-on experience outside the classroom. Summer science programs give you early exposure to college-level academics, lab work, and real research environments. You’ll build practical skills like lab techniques, coding, data analysis, and scientific writing while also getting a closer look at careers in STEM.
These summer programs include lectures, workshops, and group projects led by university faculty or industry professionals. You’ll also have the chance to connect with mentors, researchers, and other motivated students, all without the high cost of private pre-college programs.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 summer science programs for high school students in Long Island! We’ve focused on options that offer strong academic experiences, solid networking opportunities, and access to research settings.
15 Summer Science Programs for High School Students in Long Island
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Program dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive academic initiative that gives high school students the opportunity to conduct original research under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor. Over 12 weeks, you’ll work one-on-one with a subject-matter expert to develop a research paper in a field of your choosing.
Areas of study span a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, economics, physics, engineering, computer science, chemistry, and international relations, allowing you to dive into topics that align with your interests and academic goals. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, Nassau County
Cost: $950 for a one-week session
Program dates: Session One: August 4–8; Session Two: August 11–15
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current 9th – 12th graders
At the ICaRE Summer Science Program at SUNY Old Westbury, you’ll study topics like cancer cell biology, neuroscience, immunology, microbiology, and biochemistry. You’ll work in labs with faculty mentors, read peer-reviewed research, and present your findings. The program focuses on how lab research connects to human health. You’ll also build skills in scientific reading, writing, and communication. Topics vary by session, so you can focus on areas like enzyme activity or brain-related disorders.
3. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, led by graduate students from Harvard, provides structured programs for high school students eager to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning. The AI Scholars program introduces you to foundational concepts in AI and data science over ten sessions, incorporating both instruction and hands-on work on practical, real-world applications.
If you already have some experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase is a more advanced option where you can work with mentors on a personalized research project. This fellowship also includes support from a dedicated editorial team to help with submitting your work to high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, Suffolk County
Cost: None
Program dates: July 7–August 15
Application deadline: April 2
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are at least 16 years of age by the start of the program can apply
The High School Research Program (HSRP) at Brookhaven National Laboratory is a six-week research opportunity for students entering their senior year. You’ll work with scientists and engineers on projects related to energy, the environment, or national security. The program includes in-person and remote options, and ends with a poster or oral presentation. Past projects have included computational research on infectious diseases. HSRP is selective and usually looks for strong academic performance in STEM subjects.
Location: Health Sciences Center at Stony Brook University.
Cost: $1000
Program dates: July 7–25
Application deadline: Registrations open on February 1
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, including graduating seniors
The SARAS program is a three-week summer course at Stony Brook University's Health Sciences Center. Run by the Department of Anesthesiology, it introduces you to topics in biology, medicine, and healthcare through lectures, lab safety sessions, and talks by scientists and doctors from Stony Brook Medicine. You’ll learn about lab protocols, clinical techniques, and get guidance on exams like the SAT and MCAT. The program is non-credit, but it covers college-level material and gives a broad view of research and medical careers. Each day includes interactive sessions and practical insights from the field.
Location: Stony Brook University campus
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 30–August 8
Application deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old by the program’s start date and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply.
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University gives you a chance to join a faculty-led research group in fields like biology, chemistry, math, or engineering. You’ll work on a real research project, write an abstract, and present a poster at the end of the program. Weekly seminars and faculty talks are part of the schedule, along with activities that give you a look at campus life. You’ll get a stipend after completing the program. This is a selective opportunity for students with strong academic records and a research interest.
Location: Stony Brook University campus
Cost: $650
Program dates: July 14 - 18
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Open to all students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade in the fall
This one-week summer program at Stony Brook University is for high school students who haven’t studied physics before but want to get started. You’ll learn about topics like Newton’s laws, electricity, and quantum mechanics through hands-on experiments and daily projects. Each day focuses on a different concept, with both indoor lab work and outdoor activities. You’ll visit campus research labs and see how physics is used in real-world science. At the end of the week, you’ll present your project at a Family Showcase event.
Location: Stony Brook University campus
Cost: $725
Program dates: July 14–18
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students must have completed 9th grade and not yet taken a formal Forensics course
Explorations in Forensics at Stony Brook engages you in the scientific techniques used in real-life criminal investigations by combining biology, chemistry, and physics in an interactive, week-long program. You’ll begin with an overview of forensic science and then move through hands-on labs focused on fingerprinting, toxicology, DNA analysis, and crime scene processing. Each day builds on your prior knowledge as you develop skills to solve a culminating mock crime scene investigation. You’ll also explore forensic anthropology, chromatography, and lie detection, while learning how science supports legal investigations.
Location: Stony Brook University campus
Cost: $800
Program dates: July 14–18
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students must have completed 9th grade
This one-week program introduces you to electrical engineering and programming through hands-on projects. You’ll build circuits, create electromagnets, and use a Raspberry Pi to learn how hardware and software work together. You’ll start with basic electronics and move to microprocessor projects. By the end, you’ll take home a working project you built using your Raspberry Pi. The program also includes sessions on how these skills connect to current developments in electrical engineering.
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead
Cost: $2000
Program dates: July 7–31
Application deadline: March 7
Eligibility: You must be in 10th or 11th grade, at least 15 years old by the program start, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have completed one year of a lab-based science or research course.
Hofstra University’s Summer Science Research Program lets you work on a faculty-mentored research project during July. You’ll be on campus, conducting lab-based research and meeting regularly with your mentor to shape your project. Before starting, you’ll complete orientation and lab safety training. At the end, you’ll present your work at a fall poster session for students, families, and teachers. Many students go on to submit their projects to local and national science competitions.
Location: Long Island University, Brookville, NY
Cost: $500 for credit courses, $200 additional for housing
Program dates: July 14 – 18
Application deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years of age
The Summer Honors College at Long Island University’s Post Campus is a one-week program for rising juniors and seniors. You can choose from subjects like digital engineering, journalism, pre-vet studies, or health sciences. If you join the for-credit option and pay the additional fee, you’ll earn three college credits. The program includes on-campus housing and evening activities like movie nights and karaoke. You’ll attend college-level classes taught by LIU faculty and get a preview of residential college life. Subjects vary each year and let you explore academic or career interests in more depth.
12. ARISE Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: None; $1,000 stipend provided
Program dates: June 2–August 8
Application deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are New York residents
The ARISE program is a 10-week STEM research opportunity for high school students. The first four weeks focus on lab safety, academic writing, and research skills. After that, you’ll spend six weeks working in an NYU lab with faculty and graduate students on projects in areas like computer science, engineering, or life sciences. You’ll complete about 120 hours of lab work, build presentation skills, and present your research at NYU’s Colloquium and the American Museum of Natural History. The program is tuition-free, includes a $1,000 stipend, and offers support with college applications. You’ll also join a large alumni network, with chances for continued research or mentorship.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $2,500 (tuition and fees) + $100 materials fee + $100 events fee (housing and meal plans are optional)
Program dates: Session 1: June 17–June 28, Session 2: July 8–19, Session 3: July 29–August 9
Application deadline: May 1 or until full
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 who have completed Algebra 2 (or its equivalent), have some experience in any programming language, and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA (or equivalent) are eligible to apply.
The Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding (SPARC) at NYU Tandon is a two-week program where you’ll design, build, and program your robots. You’ll learn about electronics, circuitry, microcontrollers, and coding through daily classes and workshops. Working alone and in teams, you’ll build two robots and take part in a final challenge using a mobile manipulator. The program focuses on hands-on learning and gives you experience with engineering tools and design thinking. It takes place in person at NYU’s Brooklyn campus and is meant for high school students interested in robotics and college-level problem solving.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 1–August 2
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Open to New York City residents currently enrolled in grades 8–10 with a strong academic record and demonstrated interest in STEM
The ieSoSC program at NYU Tandon is a five-week summer course focused on smart cities and urban infrastructure. You’ll work in small teams to design and build a device or app that uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology to solve a real-world city problem. Classes are taught by NYU faculty and graduate students and cover topics in engineering, computer science, and design thinking. You’ll have a set project budget and receive training in public speaking through improv-style workshops. The program ends with a final presentation to engineers, planners, and community members.
Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory, The Rockefeller University, NY
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 23–August 7
Application deadline: January 3
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled as a junior or senior in high school and must be at least 16 years old at the start of the program
The Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program is for high school juniors and seniors interested in lab-based research. You’ll join a small team led by scientists from Rockefeller, Memorial Sloan Kettering, or Weill Cornell, working on a shared research theme. At the start, you’ll get training in lab techniques and choose a research question with your team. Over the next several weeks, you’ll focus on experiments, data analysis, and group discussions, with support from mentors. The program also includes workshops, electives, and guest talks. At the end, you’ll help create and present a group research poster.
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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