11 Physics Programs for High School Students in Georgia
Physics programs offer high school students a meaningful way to explore fundamental questions about the natural world while building skills that extend far beyond the classroom. These opportunities provide exposure to experimental design, computational modeling, data analysis, and theoretical problem-solving, core competencies valued across scientific and technical fields. By participating in structured programs, you’ll gain access to mentorship from researchers and educators, collaboration with peers who share similar interests, and projects that demonstrate how physics principles apply to real-world challenges.
Why should you attend a program in Georgia?
Georgia is home to several reputable universities and research institutions that offer physics programs and opportunities for high school students. Through these programs, you might engage in projects ranging from computational physics and astrophysics research to laboratory experiments, engineering applications, and interdisciplinary STEM challenges. These opportunities can be a good fit for students who live in Georgia, as well as for out-of-state students interested in exploring the state’s universities and research institutions.
With a range of options available to students across the state, we've narrowed the list to 11 physics programs for high school students in Georgia.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Summer Science Program (SSP) – Astrophysics
Location: Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA
Cost: Varies depending on family income
Program Dates: June 8 – July 11
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who have completed or are completing high school physics and precalculus by June; students without access to physics must be completing calculus.
The Summer Science Program in Astrophysics is an intensive, residential research experience that engages you in space exploration through the study of near-Earth asteroids, using astrophysics, calculus, and scientific programming. The program teaches you to use astronomy technology, develop research and critical observation skills with real-world applications, and work alongside renowned astrophysicists and planetary scientists. You’ll work in teams of three on the "Asteroid Orbit Determination" research project, learning to locate, study, and calculate the orbital position of near-Earth asteroid objects whose collisions with Earth could be catastrophic. On the first day, you learn to read celestial coordinates and interpret ephemerides to select an asteroid to study. Your team then writes an observing proposal similar to what professional astronomers submit to observatories, and later in the week, you begin capturing images of your chosen asteroid.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students passionate about AI with a supportive environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Georgia Governor's Honors Program – Physics Track
Location: Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 14 – July 11
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors enrolled in Georgia high schools or homeschooled in Georgia; must be nominated through the local school selection process.
The Georgia Governor's Honors Program is a prestigious residential summer program, and its Physics track provides academic, cultural, and social enrichment that is designed to develop the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders in physics and related sciences. As a GHP Physics participant, you’ll attend specialized classes in the mornings and afternoons focused on advanced physics concepts and applications. The program is structured as a residential educational experience where you live on a college campus, allowing for full immersion in your chosen field of study. Beyond daytime classes, you’ll participate in a wide variety of social and instructional opportunities every evening, fostering connections with peers who share your passion for physics and building a community of like-minded scholars from across Georgia.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Physics Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; full financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with a demonstrated high level of academic achievement.
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. 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.
5. Project ENGAGES
Location: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer and school year
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors at least 16 years old from partner schools: Coretta Scott King Young Women's Leadership Academy, B.E.S.T Academy, South Atlanta High School, Benjamin E. Mays High School, D.M. Therrell High School, Booker T. Washington High School, Charles R. Drew Charter School, and KIPP Atlanta Collegiate.
Project ENGAGES is a high school science education program developed at Georgia Tech in partnership with eight Atlanta public high schools, designed to raise student awareness of engineering, science, and technology through real-world, hands-on research projects. During summer, you’ll work in a Georgia Tech research laboratory on authentic research projects led by faculty scientists. During the school year, you’ll continue your research commitment, enabling sustained engagement with your project and mentor. This extended timeline enables you to develop meaningful research outcomes and deepen your understanding of the scientific process. The program pairs you with graduate students or postdoctoral fellows who serve as mentors, guiding your research while gaining valuable experience in mentoring and project management. A distinctive feature of this program is the industry visit component, where scholars visit businesses such as Axion Biosystems, C.R. Bard, and Dendreon for company tours.
6. Georgia Tech Summer Institute
Location: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 11th graders from rural Georgia school districts and on track to graduate in the top 10% of their class. Will complete pre-calculus or calculus during high school, and PSAT/SAT scores predicted 1200+.
The Georgia Tech Summer Institute is a state-wide residential program designed to identify, engage, and prepare talented rising juniors from rural and under-resourced Georgia communities for the successful transition to college while increasing their exposure to STEM majors and careers. During the week-long residential program, you’ll participate in hands-on STEM learning sessions that expose you to various science disciplines alongside engineering, mathematics, and technology applications. The physics component within these sessions introduces you to fundamental principles and their real-world applications. Beyond academic enrichment, you’ll learn about financial aid and scholarships, navigate college life, and connect with Georgia Tech students, faculty, and staff who share insights about their academic and career paths.
7. GTAE STEP
Location: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Fully funded
Program Dates: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Georgia residents who will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program.
The Science, Technology, and Engineering Program is an educational outreach initiative offered by Georgia Tech's Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering that provides high school students with hands-on engineering internships. You’ll work with Georgia Tech faculty mentors to solve open-ended engineering challenges that require you to stretch your capabilities and apply physics principles to real-world problems. The current cohort will tackle engineering design challenges. This approach mirrors authentic research and development processes, requiring you to engage with fundamental physics concepts such as mechanics, materials science, and systems engineering as you develop your solutions. Faculty mentors provide guidance while allowing teams the autonomy to explore different approaches and learn from both successes and setbacks. At the end of the two weeks, you’ll present the results of your work at a poster session attended by parents, teachers, faculty, and industry representatives.
8. TryEngineering Summer Institute
Location: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 7 – 15
Application Deadline: Applications open January 15
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students; Georgia residents only
The TryEngineering Summer Institute is a nine-day residential program designed to inspire and empower future engineers through design challenges, field trips, and mentorship from engineering professionals. Participants will engage in experiments and workshops that cover engineering and computer science disciplines. The curriculum highlights applied physics concepts, focusing on mechanics, energy systems, materials properties, and other core physics principles as students work through engineering design challenges. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with Georgia Tech's advanced facilities and see how theoretical physics applies to real-world engineering. They will also meet Georgia Tech professors, students, and staff who share insights into their research and careers.
9. R.E.A.L. Experience
Location: Various university laboratories in Georgia
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: Orientation on May 21, 5-week period
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students 16 years or older by program start date; must be paired with a teacher from their respective high school who has been accepted into the GIFT program.
The R.E.A.L. (Research, Experiment, Analyze, Learn) program is an initiative of the GIFT Summer Program that connects high school student researchers with university laboratories. As a R.E.A.L. participant, you’ll engage in real research projects, which may include physics applications, depending on your teacher's focus and lab placement. You'll work the same hours as your GIFT teacher, ensuring consistent mentorship and collaboration during your research. This approach offers valuable support as you explore unfamiliar lab settings and address complex scientific questions. You’ll gain practical skills with research tools, learn to design and perform experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions based on evidence.
10. MIT Classical Mechanics (8.01)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Available year-round; self-paced
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: No specific requirements; recommended for students with an interest in science and physics.
The MIT Classical Mechanics course introduces the foundational principles of physics through the study of motion, forces, and energy. The course introduces core concepts like planetary motion and continues to explain phenomena across the natural world. You’ll explore two complementary approaches to understanding motion: analyzing forces directly and applying conservation laws involving energy, momentum, and angular momentum. The course develops your conceptual understanding of space, time, mass, force, momentum, torque, and angular momentum, while familiarizing you with how these theoretical principles are experimentally verified. The self-paced format lets you work through the material at your own pace, making it accessible whether you're supplementing your high school physics course or exploring mechanics independently.
11. SPINWIP
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 6 – July 24
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 at the time of application; rising seniors and students from under-resourced backgrounds encouraged
The Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) introduces you to cutting-edge physics research across fields such as quantum physics, quantum computing, astrophysics, and cosmology while developing practical coding skills applicable to physics problems. Throughout the program, you’ll study Python programming and apply these skills to physics-related projects, gaining computational techniques that are vital to today's physics research. You’ll participate in lectures conducted by Stanford professors and researchers, who will share their insights into current physics studies and demonstrate how fundamental principles are applied in their work. Small-group sessions led by Stanford undergraduates offer personalized guidance and opportunities to ask questions and delve deeper into concepts.
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