15 University Earth Sciences Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 24
- 11 min read
Participating in a university Earth sciences program in high school can help you move beyond textbooks and understand how environmental systems are studied and analyzed at an advanced level. These programs introduce you to topics such as climate science, geology, sustainability, and environmental policy while helping you build skills in research, data analysis, and scientific communication. Early exposure can also help you explore potential academic and career paths while strengthening your preparation for college-level STEM work.
Why should I participate in a university earth sciences program in high school?
In these programs, you might analyze environmental datasets, conduct field investigations, collaborate in research labs, or participate in simulations that reflect how scientists and policymakers address environmental challenges. Along the way, you build skills in systems thinking, GIS tools, quantitative reasoning, and scientific communication while working with faculty and researchers who can offer mentorship. You also gain clarity on whether Earth sciences is the right path for you, helping you make more informed academic decisions before college.
To help you get started, here are 15 university Earth sciences programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program lets high school students experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus, study in small groups of 7-10, and learn from tutors from top universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. Participants can explore a wide range of subjects, spanning over 20 options, including Architecture, AI, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, Philosophy, and more. The courses are experiential and focus on hands-on learning. You may find yourself conducting dissections in medicine, designing a robotic arm in engineering, participating in a moot court for law, or building creative writing portfolios and business case studies. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact cohort size not publicly disclosed
Location: Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE), Far Rockaway, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | up to $1,200 stipend
Dates: June through mid-August
Application Deadline: Application portal opens February 27; in-person interviews held in May
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 9–11 attending school in or near the Rockaway peninsula; full in-person participation required
Environmentor is a summer research mentorship program where you’ll conduct authentic environmental research focused on Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline. Working four days a week, you will collaborate with scientists from local universities and research institutions on individual research projects in areas such as salt marsh ecosystems, flooding patterns, air quality, and coastal biodiversity. You’ll participate in workshops, orientations, and field-based data collection while developing research design, data analysis, and scientific communication skills. Past projects have examined species interactions in restored ecosystems, shoreline flooding dynamics, and environmental air quality metrics. In addition to research training, you will receive water safety certification, CPR training, and hands-on coastal experience through activities like kayaking. The program culminates in a research poster, and you will receive a stipend for your work.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; exact cohort size not publicly available
Location: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC (in partnership with University of North Carolina at Pembroke)
Cost/Stipend: Free | housing provided (summer) | Visa gift cards for interns
Dates: Geo-Health Science Saturdays: March 14 and March 28 | Geo-Health Summer Internship: multi-week summer program
Application Deadline: Opens in February; closes as positions fill
Eligibility: High school students from Robeson County, NC; summer interns must be 18+
This initiative introduces you to geoscience and environmental health through field investigations, water-quality monitoring, and applied energy and public health discussions. During Science Saturdays, you will engage in hands-on activities led by university scientists to explore how environmental systems directly affect community health. If selected for the summer internship, you’ll spend multiple weeks working alongside researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC-Pembroke, participating in field trips, laboratory analysis, and collaborative STEM projects. You’ll also gain exposure to career pathways in environmental science, watershed studies, and geospatial or health-related research while strengthening teamwork and professional communication skills.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 6–30 scholars selected annually from ~175–300+ applicants
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost | most positions unpaid | honorarium available for eligible students
Dates: Third Tuesday in June – First Thursday in August
Application Deadline: February 1 – March 15
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one year of high school and live and attend school within 25 miles of Stanford University (San Francisco Bay Area only)
In this eight-week research internship, you will work directly within a Stanford research lab under the supervision of graduate scholars, postdoctoral researchers, and lab managers. You commit to approximately 20 hours per week conducting real research in areas such as geology, ocean sciences, energy systems, and environmental science, among others. Depending on your placement, you may analyze fossils, study earthquake processes, model energy systems, examine soil chemistry, or investigate climate-related datasets. The program concludes with formal presentations, allowing you to articulate your findings and experience the structure of university-level scientific communication.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 50 students selected annually
Location: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY
Cost: $4,300 (covers tuition, room, and board)
Dates: July 12 – July 25
Application Deadline: Applications open early in the year and are reviewed before summer
Eligibility: High school students entering junior or senior year, or recent high school graduates
In this two-week, interdisciplinary environmental studies program, you’ll engage in a college-level course that integrates scientific, social, economic, ethical, and political perspectives on environmental challenges. The curriculum is taught by approximately 20 faculty members and carries four semester hours of academic credit. You will participate in collaborative environmental problem-solving, field exploration in the Adirondack region of New York, and structured group projects analyzing real-world environmental issues. You’ll also work closely with faculty and college student teaching assistants while documenting and interpreting environmental systems through research and discussion. The program concludes with collaborative presentations that mirror undergraduate-level academic expectations.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Nationally competitive; exact cohort size not publicly specified
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: $2,000 (includes housing, meals, tours, local transportation; travel not included) | full scholarships and travel support available | virtual participation is free
Dates: May 15 – July 21 (distance learning: May 15 – July 1 | on-site: July 5 – July 18 | symposium: July 20 – 21)
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors (rising juniors or seniors), age 16+ by July 5, U.S. citizens, no prior SEES participation, must complete required pre-program online modules
In the SEES High School Summer Intern Program, you’ll work on mission-driven Earth and space science research projects in collaboration with NASA scientists, UT researchers, and industry professionals. You will begin with structured distance-learning modules in Earth and space science and, for some projects, Python programming, before transitioning into mentored research. During the on-site component, you’ll analyze and visualize real mission data related to Earth systems, natural hazards, aerospace engineering, remote sensing, and geodetic techniques. A defining feature of SEES is its integration of authentic NASA mission data into high school–level research workflows. You’ll engage in systems modeling, data analysis, and technical communication while collaborating in project teams.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited to approximately 15 students per course
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO (online format)
Cost: $985 per course; need-based scholarships available
Dates: Summer session; exact course dates vary by year and session length
Application Deadline: May 11 (rolling review until full)
Eligibility: Current high school students with a minimum 3.5 weighted GPA, at least 13 years old by course start, and completion of at least two years of high school science, including biology
In this online Environmental Science course, you will examine how biological, geological, chemical, economic, and sociological systems interact to shape environmental outcomes. You will explore topics such as human population growth, energy systems, land and water resources, and climate change, among others, through recorded lectures and structured assignments. The course emphasizes interdisciplinary analysis, requiring you to think across natural resource management, ecology, and human-environment systems. You’ll engage in asynchronous discussions and assignments designed to mirror introductory college-level environmental science coursework.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; exact cohort size not publicly specified
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,500; need-based financial aid available | fee waivers for household income ≤$125,000 | fee waiver + domestic travel coverage for household income ≤$60,000
Dates: July 12 – July 17
Application Deadline: Applications open in winter and close in early spring
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students, age 15+
In this one-week residential program, you will examine the global energy challenge through the lens of climate science, energy economics, and public policy. Guided by faculty affiliated with the Energy Policy Institute at Chicago, the Becker Friedman Institute, and the Climate Impact Lab, you will explore how reliable energy systems can coexist with emissions reduction and environmental protection goals. The curriculum combines discussion-based seminars, readings, and collaborative projects focused on climate mitigation, sustainability strategy, and energy transition policy. You get to directly engage with industry professionals at Invenergy’s Chicago headquarters, where you will analyze real-world renewable energy development challenges. You’ll work in teams to evaluate climate and energy trade-offs, developing analytical reasoning and policy-evaluation skills.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; exact cohort size not publicly specified
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: $6,274; financial aid available
Dates: Session 1: June 21 – July 2 | Session 2: July 5 – July 16
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 10–12; ages 16–18 by June 14
In the Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL), you will explore environmental science through an interdisciplinary lens that combines ecosystem study, sustainability, and leadership development. The two-week residential program includes lecture-based learning, group discussions, and structured field visits across Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts. You’ll analyze diverse land and marine ecosystems while engaging in collaborative projects that emphasize environmental problem-solving. A distinctive feature of BELL is the development of a personalized Environmental Action Plan that you’ll design and refine during the program. Daily programming blends classroom instruction, field investigation, leadership workshops, and community-based reflection.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; exact cohort size not publicly specified
Location: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Cost: Residential (Storrs Campus): $2,350 | Non-Residential (Hartford): $1,200
Dates: July 12 – July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling; closes when full
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
In this week-long Earth and Environmental Sciences pre-college program, you will explore core Earth systems topics through a structured mix of lectures, fieldwork, and laboratory analysis. You’ll collect and analyze rock, soil, and water samples while learning mineralogy, environmental geochemistry, and regional geologic history. You’ll get an opportunity to work directly with UConn Earth Sciences faculty, including field researchers who actively study erosion, rivers, climate systems, and biogeochemistry. You will be introduced to research methods, including sample collection protocols, laboratory-based geochemical analysis, and the interpretation of environmental data. The program also integrates guest lectures across subfields, helping you understand how geoscientists investigate hazards like earthquakes, floods, and climate change.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact acceptance rate not publicly listed
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $1,299 for 3 undergraduate credits; fee waivable based on financial need
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: Early February (decisions released in April)
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+ by June 18; age 16+ required for wet-lab placements
ASSIP is an eight-week, full-time research internship that places you one-on-one with faculty mentors at George Mason University and collaborating institutions. If you pursue an Earth science track, you may work in areas such as atmospheric science, climate change, coastal flooding, hydrology, geography/GIS, or environmental policy, using advanced research tools and analytical methods. You’ll earn three college credits upon successful completion of the internship, making this both a research and academic experience. Throughout the program, you’ll develop scientific writing skills, present your findings in a final poster session, and engage in structured STEM career discussions.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact cohort size not publicly disclosed
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Commuter: $5,675 | Residential: $13,274; limited need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 9 (rolling admissions)
Eligibility: 10th–11th graders (advanced 9th graders considered) with a minimum 3.80 weighted GPA (UC a–g coursework)
The Research Mentorship Program places you in a structured, university-level research environment where you’ll work closely with a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty mentor on an original project. You can select from a wide range of disciplines, including Earth and environmental science tracks, and engage in hands-on research methodology, data analysis, and scientific writing. Over six weeks, you’ll develop a defined research question, conduct analysis, and present your findings, gaining exposure to the full research lifecycle. The GRIT lecture series connects you with UCSB researchers presenting current innovations across scientific fields. This is a competitive, academically rigorous program designed for high-achieving students prepared for sustained, independent research work.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact cohort size not publicly disclosed
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: $4,000; need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 8 – July 15
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: High school students; full five-week in-person commitment required (no housing provided)
The High School Research Academy is a five-week immersive research program hosted by UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences. You are placed in an active university laboratory and work alongside faculty, undergraduates, and researchers on authentic STEM projects, including opportunities in environmental science and ecology. Throughout the program, you’ll learn advanced research techniques, contribute to ongoing investigations, and develop scientific communication skills. The experience is fully in-person and structured around real lab engagement, making it well-suited for students seeking sustained exposure to university-level research.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; exact cohort size not publicly available
Location: Penn State Scranton, Dunmore, PA
Cost: Free; includes book rentals; funded through the DeNaples Family Environmental Program Fund
Dates: Climate Change: Biological Impacts: July 1 – August 12 | Earth & Environmental Systems Geography: September 9 – December 16
Application Deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Penn State Scranton offers free, dual-credit environmental science courses designed specifically for high school juniors and seniors interested in Earth and environmental systems. You’ll enroll in real Penn State courses, such as Climate Change: Biological Impacts and Earth & Environmental Systems Geography, and earn 3 college credits upon completion. Through these courses, you’ll examine climate systems, biomes, Earth system processes, and human impacts on the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere. You will work with scientific literature, develop evidence-based explanations, and use tools such as Google Earth Story Maps to analyze environmental change. The program emphasizes systems thinking, scientific credibility, and sustainability practices, helping you understand both the science of climate change and its societal implications.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact acceptance rate and cohort size not publicly disclosed
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $2,650 (includes housing, meals, local travel in D.C., staffing, and 1 college credit)
Dates: June 28 – July 3
Application Deadline: Applications open in fall (typically September – November)
Eligibility: Highly engaged high school students selected as National Youth Delegates through an application or nomination process
The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment is a week-long experiential environmental leadership program hosted at George Mason University in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. As a National Youth Delegate, you will engage in hands-on learning with conservation experts, research scientists, and environmental policy professionals in Washington, D.C. The curriculum blends environmental science, sustainability, conservation biology, and public policy, giving you exposure to how environmental decisions are made at institutional and governmental levels. You will interact directly with industry leaders and researchers while developing leadership and advocacy skills around environmental issues.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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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