14 STEM Programs for High School Students in Seattle, Washington
If you’re a high school student interested in science, technology, engineering, or math, joining a structured STEM program can help you move beyond textbook learning and start applying concepts in practical settings. These programs often involve lab activities, coding assignments, engineering challenges, or data analysis, while helping you build skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and technical communication. These experiences help you better understand your academic interests and make more informed decisions about future courses and potential career paths.
Why should you attend a program in Seattle, Washington?
Seattle offers access to research labs, hospitals, universities, and technology-focused organizations that involve high school students in STEM-focused initiatives. Depending on the program, you might contribute to biomedical research, explore artificial intelligence and data science, take part in engineering design projects, or observe clinical and laboratory work. These programs give you exposure to how STEM fields operate in professional environments while allowing you to learn directly from researchers, engineers, and healthcare professionals.
In this blog,we’ve shortlisted the 14 STEM programs for high school students in Seattle, Washington.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. University of Washington’s Changemakers in Computing (CiC)
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specifiedDates: July 6 – 30
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors from Washington State must be U.S citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, or have an Employment Authorization Document
This Washington State STEM program helps high school students explore how technology intersects with society, ethics, and justice. Aimed at rising juniors and seniors with minimal coding background, it builds computing fundamentals through culturally relevant, project-based learning. You’ll collaborate in small mentor-led groups with UW undergraduates, working on coding projects, participating in daily check-ins, and discussing the social impact of technology. The program also introduces various computing fields and provides mentorship and college-pathway guidance.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
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, created and led by Harvard graduate students, runs AI-focused programs for high schoolers interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. Beginners can start with the AI Scholars program, a 10-session boot camp that introduces core AI and data science concepts through hands-on, real-world projects. Students with more experience can apply to the AI Fellowship, where they work one-on-one with mentors from top universities on an individual research project. A standout feature of the fellowship is access to Veritas AI’s in-house publication team, which supports students in preparing their work for high school research journals.
3. Fred Hutch Pathways Research Explorers Program
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $500 participant award after successful completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students per summer (~16 students per session)
Dates: Session 1: July 27 – August 7 | Session 2: August 10 – 21
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Rising 10th or 11th graders; must have completed introductory biology or chemistry; must live in Seattle or the surrounding areas
The Fred Hutch Pathways Research Explorers Program is a two-week summer initiative that offers hands-on exposure to biomedical research. You’ll work in the Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Learning Lab, practicing foundational lab skills while exploring topics such as cancer prevention, epidemiology, and public health. The experience includes guided lab tours and conversations with scientists and students, helping you understand biomedical career paths and future research opportunities.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - STEM Track
Location: VirtualCost: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive, mentored research experience designed specifically for high school students. The program connects you with a PhD mentor for one-on-one guidance as you design and complete an independent research project in a subject of your choice. Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll develop your research question, conduct analysis, and write a full academic-style paper. Research areas span a wide range of fields, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more, making the program flexible for students with diverse academic interests.
5. Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Training Program for High School Students
Location: Seattle Children's Research Institute: B. Wayne Hughes Building, Seattle, WAStipend: $2,000 stipendAcceptance rate/cohort size: 24 studentsDates: July 13 – August 7Application Deadline: March 8Eligibility: Rising high school juniors who can commute to and from Downtown Seattle
This program introduces you to real-world laboratory research while covering topics such as biochemistry, immunotherapy, gene editing, and infectious diseases through a mix of lectures and hands-on experiments. A key component is an independent research project in which you investigate a scientific question in biology, microbiology, public health, or a related field and present your results in a final oral presentation. You’ll develop practical lab skills such as microscopy, PCR, gel electrophoresis, white blood cell isolation, and gene editing, while also attending college-prep workshops, faculty tours, and career-focused sessions with research professionals.
6. Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years old and reside in Greater Seattle or the surrounding areas
This program introduces you to hands-on biomedical research in a real laboratory environment. During the first two weeks, you’ll complete intensive training in lab safety and essential techniques such as pipetting, sterile handling, tissue culture, DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. Over the next six weeks, you’ll work in pairs within an active Fred Hutch research lab, assisting with tasks like preparing reagents, observing experiments, recording data, and attending lab meetings. You’ll also join weekly cohort sessions that explore topics such as research ethics, health equity, biostatistics, and conversations with working scientists.
7. UW Medicine’s Neuroscience Summer Student Program
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $3,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8-week summer program
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: High school seniors and recent graduates who are at least 18 years old
The Neuroscience Summer Student Program offers an eight-week immersive experience in both laboratory neuroscience and clinical observation, supported by NIH funding. You’ll conduct an independent research project in a UW neuroscience lab while learning experimental techniques used to study the brain and nervous system. Alongside research, you’ll gain clinical exposure by shadowing neurologists and neurosurgeons, attending grand rounds, and observing procedures in surgical settings. Weekly lectures and discussions with faculty and residents provide insight into current advances in neuroscience and neurosurgery. The program concludes with a final presentation of your research or clinical project.
8. Biomedical Research Internship for Growth of High School Trainees from Underrepresented Populations (BRIGHT-UP)
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 20 students
Dates: June – August (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: Generally in March
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who are first-generation and from a financially or educationally disadvantaged background.
This eight-week summer internship is aimed at high school students from economically and academically underrepresented backgrounds. You’ll be placed in a research lab and paired with professional mentors, where you’ll build core lab skills and take part in hands-on scientific work. The program also includes lab visits, panel discussions, and conversations with researchers to introduce you to different areas of science. Alongside your research project, you’ll join weekly career development sessions designed to support skill-building, confidence, and long-term pathways in biomedical research.
9. Institute for Systems Biology (ISB)’s High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Institute For Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Volunteer and paid positions available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: March 11
Eligibility: High school juniors
ISB’s High School Summer Internship gives rising seniors an eight-week, project-based introduction to systems biology. Research areas may include computational biology, microbiomes, microbial evolution, cancer, and systems medicine, often tied to ongoing work in ISB labs such as the Baliga Lab. You may contribute to lab or computational research while also supporting project documentation through curriculum design or website content. The program also provides exposure to scientific, technical, and administrative professionals, helping you explore a broad range of research and biotech careers.
10. University of Washington’s Engineering Academy
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-to-late April
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors from the greater Seattle area
The University of Washington’s Engineering Academy is a free, week-long, in-person summer program that introduces high school students to foundational engineering concepts through interactive, hands-on activities. Over five days on the UW Seattle campus, you’ll take part in design challenges, attend faculty- and student-led sessions, and learn how engineering disciplines address real-world community needs. The program also offers insight into engineering career paths and college life through campus tours and direct engagement with UW students and professors.
11. Seattle Children’s Hospital Summer Nurse Camp
Location: Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18 by the camp start date and from the Puget Sound area
Seattle Children’s Hospital’s Summer Nurse Camp is a five-day experience that introduces you to pediatric nursing through hospital shadowing, hands-on skills practice, and career-focused panels. You’ll observe nurses in departments such as the NICU, PICU, emergency medicine, radiology, and oncology, gaining firsthand insight into patient care in a clinical setting. The program includes simulation-based training with medical models to help you practice essential nursing techniques safely. You’ll also join Q&A sessions with nurses and educators to learn about career pathways, training requirements, and day-to-day responsibilities in pediatric healthcare.
12. Fred Hutch Girls Who Code Club
Location: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–15 students per session
Dates: 2-3 sessions per year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Female and non-binary high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors
The Fred Hutch Girls Who Code Club is a six-week, in-person after-school program that teaches programming through real-world projects in computational biology and bioinformatics. Guided by women and non-binary researchers from Fred Hutch and the University of Washington, you’ll learn Python, data analysis, and logical problem-solving through collaborative, project-based work. Past projects have included analyzing infectious disease trends, exploring protein evolution, and coding robots to solve navigation challenges. The program also offers networking opportunities through field trips and virtual conversations with scientists, programmers, and tech professionals.
13. UW School of Pharmacy – Students Exploring Pharmacy (STEP)
Location: University of Washington School of Pharmacy, Seattle, WA
Cost: $100 non-refundable program fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 4 days in the summer
Application Deadline: Late April (based on previous year)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 (priority given to rising juniors and seniors)
This four-day exploratory program introduces high school students to pharmacy through interactive sessions and direct exposure to the field. You’ll take part in hands-on activities related to pharmacy practice, attend talks led by pharmacists across different specialties, and engage with UW faculty and current pharmacy students. The program highlights the wide range of careers in pharmacy, including community practice, clinical care, and research. Program fees cover materials, meals, and School of Pharmacy merchandise, with financial aid available to support accessibility. Housing and transportation are not included.
14. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26 | Session B: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents | 14 years or older by the program's start
This two-week program, run by the Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging, offers an introduction to how AI is used in healthcare and biomedical research. Each day blends foundational lectures on medical AI with guided, hands-on group work led by Stanford researchers and students. Participants have previously worked on applied projects, including developing machine learning models to detect and localize medical devices in imaging data. Students who complete the program earn a Certificate of Completion, and some may be invited to continue with an extended independent research opportunity focused on AI applications in medicine.
Image source - Uni of Washington