15 Summer Science Programs for High School Students in NYC

If you’re a high schooler in NYC, and science is something you want to study or pursue in college, joining a local summer program while you’re still in high school can give you a solid head start.

New York City offers programs that allow you to work in labs, handle professional equipment, and participate in research alongside university faculty or industry experts. Some focus on specific areas like biology, chemistry, engineering, or environmental science, while others let you explore different STEM fields to see which fits you best.

Most of these programs run during the summer, so you won’t have to miss school. You’ll get hands-on experience and learn skills that go beyond what’s taught in a typical high school class, like how to design experiments, analyze data, and work as part of a research team. Plus, having this kind of experience can help you stand out when you apply to college. Admissions teams look for students who take initiative and dive deeper into subjects they care about.

To help you get started, we have curated a list of 15 Summer Science programs for High Schoolers in New York City!

15 Summer Science Programs for High School Students in NYC

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!

Cost: Financial aid is available!

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February)

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school

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 you 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.

2. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) - NYU

Location: Tandon School of Engineering, New York University Campus

Cost/Stipend: Free; a $1000 stipend is awarded to participants

Application Deadline: Feb 21

Program Dates: June 2 – August 8 

Eligibility: You must live in New York City (Attending school in New York City is not sufficient) and be completing 10th or 11th grade in June

NYU ARISE is a free, full-time summer research program for high school students in New York City. Over ten weeks, you’ll work in an NYU lab alongside faculty and graduate mentors, contributing to real research in fields like robotics, AI, bioengineering, computer science, and more. You’ll start with four weeks of lab safety and ethics training, then spend six weeks doing hands-on research. You’ll learn how to read scientific papers, analyze data, present your work, and speak about your research clearly and confidently. At the end, you’ll share your findings at a colloquium with NYU researchers and other students.

3. Veritas AI 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies depending on program type. You can apply here. 

Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Application deadline: Varies by the cohort

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, 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, you 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, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you have access to the in-house publication team to help secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here. 

4. The Rockefeller University » Summer Science Research Experience - RockEDU Science Outreach

Location: RockEDU Science Outreach Laboratory at The Rockefeller University. 

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: January 3

Dates: June 23 – Thursday, August 7

Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school juniors or seniors

Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) places you on a research team with scientists from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell Medicine. Over seven weeks, you’ll work in a fully equipped RockEDU lab, design experiments, learn lab techniques, and analyze data with guidance from expert mentors.

You’ll explore a research question shaped around your team’s topic, take part in elective courses and workshops, and build skills in scientific ethics, data analysis, and communication. You’ll also attend lectures and networking events with professionals from New York’s top biomedical institutions. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings at a formal poster symposium. 

5. CEYE | Icahn School of Medicine

Location: Icahn School of Medicine, New York

Cost: Free. A stipend is provided

Application Deadline: February 16

Dates: July 8 – August 15 (tentative)

Eligibility: All NYC high school students are eligible to apply

The Center for Excellence in Youth Education (CEYE) at Mount Sinai offers free summer programs for high school students in New York City who want real exposure to science, medicine, and research. If you’re interested in biology and coding, the Introduction to Bioinformatics program teaches you how to work with genomic data, apply molecular biology concepts, and use public databases to run your data-driven project. 

If you want to explore how science connects to clinical care, the Medical and Scientific Exploration Program (MSEP) combines weekly in-person sessions with guided virtual learning, giving you access to professionals across Mount Sinai departments. If you’re ready for daily, hands-on experience, the Internship Placement (IP) Program places you in specialized tracks like Hospital Placement, Veterinary Sciences, Neurosurgery Scholars, and Cultivating Neurological Scholars. 

6. Summer Health Internship Program (SHIP) - MSI AHEC

Location: Manhattan-Staten Island Area Health Education Center (MSI AHEC)

Cost: Free; Participants receive $16/hour for 25 hours/week

Application Deadline: March 14

Dates: June 30 to August 07

Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors and above 17 years of age, and must attend school or live in Manhattan or Staten Island 

The Summer Health Internship Program (SHIP) gives high school and early college students in New York City a six-week, hands-on introduction to healthcare careers. You’ll be placed in a hospital, clinic, or community health organization, where you’ll take on real responsibilities and learn directly from professionals in clinical and public health settings. Alongside your internship, you’ll attend weekly seminars led by healthcare experts on topics like patient care, public health, and health equity. 

7. NYU Cloud Computing Pathway

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NYC

Cost: $6,550

Application Deadline: May 15

Dates: June 16 – July 18

Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders

Cloud Computing Course is a five-week hands-on program where you’ll build and deploy applications using Amazon Web Services (AWS). You’ll work with tools like EC2 for computing, S3 for storage, and RDS for databases, while learning how to design scalable cloud architectures used in real-world tech environments. You’ll cover key concepts like virtualization, load balancing, cost optimization, and cloud security. Through guided projects, you’ll gain experience with cloud-native systems and learn how infrastructure is managed in enterprise settings. 

8. American Museum of Natural History: Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)

Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: No cost, but $2,500 stipend

Application Deadline: Typically in March 

Dates: August – June

Eligibility: High school students currently in 10th or 11th grade

The Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) is a year-long research experience at the American Museum of Natural History for high school students in New York City. You’ll work with AMNH scientists on active research projects in fields like evolutionary biology, astrophysics, and climate science. The program starts with a four-week summer institute in August focused on lab skills, data science, and fieldwork.  You’ll learn scientific programming in Python or R, practice data visualization, and use lab-based methods tied to your mentor’s research.

9. Columbia University: BRAINYAC (Brain Research Apprenticeships in New York at Columbia)

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: October 29

Program Dates: 5 weeks from June to August

Eligibility: 10th-11th grade NYC students nominated by partner schools/programs; Preference for students from Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx

BRAINYAC is a seven-month neuroscience research program for high school students in New York City, run by Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute. You’ll start with weekend training sessions in the winter and spring, then spend the summer working full-time in a Columbia neuroscience lab under the guidance of a PhD mentor. You’ll assist with active research projects, learn wet lab techniques, and build skills in data analysis and scientific communication. Projects may focus on how the brain processes sensory input or how neurons behave under different conditions.

10. Columbia University: State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: April 15 (Summer); September 15 (Academic Year)

Dates: July 28 – August 8 (Summer); November 9 – May 17 (Academic Year)

Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12 with at least an 80% average, especially in math and science

State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a free academic program for 7th–12th grade students in New York City who are interested in medicine or STEM careers. You’ll take weekend or summer courses in subjects like anatomy, chemistry, statistics, and PSAT/SAT prep, while participating in college advising, career development workshops, and field trips to universities and labs. The program runs in two sessions: a summer session held Monday through Friday in July, and an academic year session held on Saturdays from October to May.

11. Computer Science and Coding Course for High School Students | Adelphi

Location: Adelphi’s Garden City Campus, NYC 

Cost: $5,415.00 - Residential Students + application fee; $3,120.00 - Commuter Students + application fee

Application Deadline: June 13

Dates: July 13 - August 2

Eligibility: All rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to participate.

The Computer Science and Coding Summer Program is a three-week, credit-bearing course offered by Adelphi University at its Garden City campus. You’ll meet Monday through Thursday and learn how to design, analyze, and build software systems using Python and IDLE. You’ll explore core computer science fields like software engineering, data analytics, and cybersecurity while developing coding logic through functions, conditionals, loops, and algorithms. 

12. Quantum Engineering Program for High School Students | Adelphi

Location: Adelphi’s Garden City Campus, NYC 

Cost: $5,415.00 - Residential Students + application fee; $3,120.00 - Commuter Students + application fee

Application Deadline: June 13

Dates: July 13-August 2

Eligibility: All rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to participate.

Quantum Engineering Summer Program is a three-week, credit-bearing course offered by Adelphi University at its Garden City campus. You’ll study the foundations of quantum mechanics and their engineering applications. You’ll explore quantum particle behavior, quantum entanglement, and quantum computing through lab experiments, computer simulations, and quantum circuit design. You’ll also learn about Adelphi’s engineering partnership with Columbia University and gain insight into academic pathways in physics and engineering.

13. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) – Online Courses

Location: Online

Cost: Depends on the course

Program Dates: Varies by session

Application Deadline: Aug 12

Eligibility: High school students

Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) offers online courses for students in grades 2–12 across subjects like mathematics, science, computer science, history, writing, and special topics, including space colonization and forensic science. Courses are designed for academically advanced learners and go beyond the standard school curriculum. You can choose from two formats: Session-Based, which includes assignment deadlines and optional virtual meetings, and Individually Paced, which allows flexible scheduling with personalized feedback and instructor support. 

14. Rice University Pre-College STEM Program

Location: Online

Cost: Based on courses

Program Dates: Vary by course

Application Deadline: Self-paced

Eligibility: Students ages 13+

The Rice University Pre-College STEM Program is a self-paced online program for students ages 13 and up. You explore STEM subjects like genome engineering, physiology, aerospace, psychology, and engineering through video lectures taught by Rice University faculty. Each course includes mentor support and ends with a capstone project you can feature in college applications or portfolios. You earn a Rice University Certificate of Completion after successfully finishing a course. Program access is available year-round, and you can start anytime.

15. Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative (OLI)

Location: Online

Cost: Free options exist alongside paid versions

Program Dates: Vary by course

Application Deadline: Self-paced

Eligibility: High school students

Open Learning Initiative (OLI) is a self-paced online platform developed by Carnegie Mellon University. It offers independent learner courses in subjects like computer science, life sciences, mathematics, logic, engineering, and social sciences. Courses include interactive activities, embedded assessments, and multimedia explanations designed to support mastery of complex topics. You can choose from two formats: Open & Free, which provides access to course materials at no cost, and Academic Versions, which include progress tracking and may charge a small fee.

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 research mentor to develop a research paper.

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