15 Science Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student who enjoys diving into science beyond the classroom, participating in structured science programs can be a meaningful next step. Science programs help you explore scientific work through opportunities to conduct research, analyze data, build models, or collaborate with scientists and mentors. Many science programs are run by universities, research institutes, and professional organizations, offering you exposure to practical research methods, mentorship from experts, and networks of peers who share similar interests. You may also get a chance to present your work, attend science talks, or contribute to projects that are connected to ongoing scientific work.
What are the benefits of a science program?
Science programs can help you move beyond traditional classroom learning with opportunities to apply scientific concepts in real settings. For instance, as a participant, you may work in university labs, engage in field work, analyze environmental samples, or build computational models. You may also collaborate with researchers on projects in fields like biotechnology, astrophysics, or artificial intelligence. Many science programs emphasize mentorship and research training, allowing you to work closely with a scientist or graduate student mentor who will guide you through designing experiments and studies, reviewing scientific literature, and presenting your work.
To make your search easier, we have narrowed down 15 science programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for AI programs, check out our blog here.
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $75 application fee; no tuition
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5%; 100 students/year
Dates: Six weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Early to mid-December
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the RSI academic prerequisites
The Research Science Institute is a selective science program for high school students looking for hands-on lab research experience. You will spend the first part of the program attending STEM lectures and seminars before moving on to full-time STEM research. You will work with a mentor on an individual research project in physics, biology, chemistry, or engineering. During the program, you will learn how to read scientific literature, design research questions, and develop a research plan. At the end of six weeks, you will present your findings in both written format and oral conference-style talk. Outside of research work, you will also go on field trips and connect with MIT researchers and peers.
2. Veritas AI Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; deadlines vary by cohort: Summer (May), Fall (September), Spring (January), and Winter (November). You can check details and apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase accepts previous AI Scholar participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers a range of online programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will learn about the fundamentals of AI and data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another track for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. During this program, you will get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A key feature of this program is that it offers you access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Broad Institute Summer Scholars Program
Location: Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free with a $3,600 stipend and partial reimbursement for transportation costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising seniors attending high schools in MA within commuting distance to the institute with a B or better in science and math
The Broad Summer Scholars Program allows high schoolers to conduct research in areas such as chemical biology, cancer biology, and computational biology under the guidance of a mentor. Over six weeks, you will work directly in a research lab, gaining hands-on exposure to both experimental and computational techniques. Alongside research, you will attend scientific talks, receive training in how to create and present scientific posters, and work with an on-staff tutor to strengthen your understanding of scientific concepts. The program ends with a poster session where you will present your findings to the broader Broad community. You will additionally attend a college fair and participate in social and team-building activities during the program.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
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: Students currently enrolled in high school who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. It offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas for high schoolers to explore. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work one-on-one on an independent research project. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper. You can choose a research topic from subjects such as data science, psychology, physics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various labs across the U.S.
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~300 students across the U.S./year
Application deadline: November 1; applications open on August 1.
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are 16 or older; labs may have additional requirements
SEAP is a research-based program that places high school students in naval laboratories for paid apprenticeships. During the eight-week program, you will dive into real naval science and engineering work alongside scientists in an advanced lab setting. You will contribute to research projects and learn about careers in naval research and tech. You will additionally attend technical meetings and tour laboratories. The program also offers professional development opportunities, allowing you to shadow and connect with researchers and other professionals and attend seminars and presentations.
6. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June – August (eight weeks)
Application deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising and graduating high school seniors who are at least 16 years old and live in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada
This is a stipend-based science program for high school students interested in exploring environmental and fisheries science for 8 weeks over the summer. You will work alongside fisheries professionals and participate in field research activities focused on aquatic habitat protection, restoration, and management. Your daily tasks may include surveying fish populations, testing water quality, and studying aquatic ecosystems. You will also learn laboratory techniques, including analyzing specimens under a microscope. The program can help you gain insights into careers related to environmental science and conservation.
7. Michigan State University Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)
Location: Facility for Rare Isotope Beams on the Michigan State University campus, East Lansing, MI
Cost: None; room and board provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~24 students in the past cohort
Dates: July 26 – 31
Application deadline: Early March
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S.
PAN is a free program that introduces high school students to nuclear physics and astrophysics research. You will spend a week attending lectures on topics such as cosmology and nuclear science, and conducting experiments under mentorship. You will gain exposure to research tools used at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. You will also learn about gamma spectroscopy, particle detection, and measurement techniques. The program additionally offers access to discussions about scientific careers.
8. Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Training Program
Location: Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24
Dates: Orientation: May 21; Internship: July 13 – August 7
Application deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 who live within commuting distance of the program site
This four-week program provides high schoolers with a structured introduction to biomedical research. You will learn laboratory techniques, such as analyzing biological samples and observing specimens under a microscope, while working on an independent research project under the guidance of a mentor. The program offers lectures on topics such as immunology and infectious diseases. Additionally, you will attend workshops focused on college and career prep. Your summer research experience will conclude with a presentation of your findings.
9. University of Michigan Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Campus, MI
Cost/Stipend: Free with a $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 6 – 10 students/year
Dates: June 14 – July 24
Application deadline: TBA in the fall
Eligibility: Rising seniors who attend a high school in Michigan and are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or non-U.S. citizens with employment authorization documentation
The Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship offers high school students the opportunity to spend six weeks working within life sciences laboratories at the University of Michigan. You will work directly with a scientist mentor on a real research project in biology, medicine, or related life sciences. In addition to lab-based work, you will attend sessions focused on college preparation and professional development. You may also participate in social events and networking activities with researchers and peers. At the end of the program, you will present your research findings to community scientists and the public.
10. Florida State University Young Scholars Program
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free; need-based travel stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically, ~40 students/year
Dates: June 7 – July 18
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who have completed grade 11 in a Florida public or private high school (exceptionally qualified grade 10 students may be considered); applicants must have a 3.0+ unweighted GPA, score in the 90th percentile or higher in math on a nationally standardized exam, have completed or be enrolled in Pre-Calculus, and be Florida residents.
The Young Scholars Program is a free six-week program that helps high school juniors explore advanced topics in mathematics, science, and programming. You will enroll in math, science,e and programming courses while working on an Independent Research Project. The research project may involve computational work, field studies, or data analysis related to ongoing research. You will spend most of the summer attending lectures and seminars and developing your research paper. The curriculum also includes social activities and weekend trips. The program ends with a poster presentation, allowing you to share your results with peers and faculty.
11. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote
Cost: $45 application fee + $2,400 program fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students/session
Dates: June 15 – 26 | July 6 – 17
Application deadline: February 13 (financial aid deadline); February 20 (standard deadline)
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students entering grades 9 – 12 who are at least 14 years old, able to attend the full program schedule, and preferably have strong math and programming skills or healthcare project experience
This two-week virtual program offered by Stanford is designed to help you explore applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare. You will attend lectures led by Stanford researchers, clinicians, and trainees to learn AI in healthcare fundamentals and then work with peers to analyze medical challenges using AI tools and data science approaches. The curriculum covers areas like machine learning, clinical applications, datasets, medical imaging AI, model evaluation, and responsible AI. The schedule includes career-focused sessions and guest speaker discussions to help you explore paths in AI and healthcare. Mentors from Stanford will guide you through the research process.
12. Stony Brook University Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University campus, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; residential fee: $2,450 (optional); a stipend will be awarded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and are at least 16 years old when the program begins
The Simons Summer Research Program allows you to work alongside faculty mentors on real research projects. You will join a research team and contribute to projects in STEM areas such as physics, engineering, geoscience, or computer science. You will gain exposure to professional lab tools and research techniques, and also participate in weekly faculty talks and tours. The program includes workshops focused on research methods and communication. By the end of the program, you will prepare a research abstract and present your work at a concluding symposium.
13. George Mason University ASSIP
Location: Virtual or George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $1,299 + 25 application fee; waivers available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old (or 16 for in-person opportunities)
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program, or ASSIP, offers students online and on-campus research internships across STEM fields. You will work with a mentor on a research project and contribute to ongoing scientific work. Over the course of eight weeks, you will learn how to review scientific literature and communicate research findings effectively. Discussions with scientists and professors will help you explore possible STEM career paths. The program concludes with a research symposium where all participants will share their work. On completing the program, you will earn three credits from George Mason University.
14. Bethel College Summer Science Institute
Location: Bethel College, North Newton, KS
Cost: $60 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 36 students
Dates: July 14 – 19
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12; graduating high school seniors accepted on a space-available basis.
The Bethel College Summer Science Institute offers high school students short research experiences across several science disciplines. You will work within two research groups, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, and participate in lab or field activities under the guidance of faculty mentors. Groups may focus on subjects like chemistry, environmental science, and biology. You will learn how to collect and assess data while collaborating with peers. The program also includes lectures and discussions about scientific research methods. At the end of the week, you will present your group projects at a symposium and receive a certificate of completion, and earn one hour of college credit.
15. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program (RMP)
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara campus, CA
Cost: $5,675 (commuter) | $13,274 (residential); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application deadline: March 9
Eligibility: High school students in the 10th or 11th grade with a minimum 3.80 academic weighted GPA
UCSB’s RMP is a six-week program in which you will engage in university-level research under the mentorship of a faculty member, postdoctoral scholar, or graduate student. The program begins with an online orientation, where you will explore available projects and connect with your mentor before starting hands-on work on campus. You can choose from various STEM research areas, including chemistry, biology, neuroscience, physics, and computer science. You will spend most of your time on research, lab experiments, and data analysis. You will also write a research paper and present your work at a formal symposium. The program also offers the opportunity to earn 8 university credits by enrolling in two interdisciplinary research courses covering research techniques, methods, scientific writing, and research presentation.
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