12 Academic Summer Camps for High School Students
Academic summer camps offer high school students an opportunity to explore advanced subjects, develop practical skills, and tackle issues. Top universities and organizations host academic summer camps for high schoolers in areas such as AI, robotics, data science, and engineering. With both in-person and virtual options available, these programs offer flexibility while maintaining high-quality instruction, mentorship, and collaborative learning.
Whether you're deepening an existing interest or testing out a new one, these camps can help you sharpen your academic focus and prepare for future opportunities. To help you get started, we’ve curated 12 academic summer camps for high school students, emphasizing STEM and AI fields and hands-on learning.
1. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Virtual or on-campus at Stanford, CA
Cost: $3,580 (online); $8,575 (in-person)
Program Dates: Session I (Online): June 16 - July 4 | Session I (Residential): June 22 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors, including international applicants
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is an intensive summer program designed for high school juniors and seniors passionate about advanced mathematics. Available in both residential and online formats, SUMaC presents two separate courses: Program I emphasizes Abstract Algebra and Number Theory, whereas Program II explores Algebraic Topology. Through daily lectures, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and guided research projects, you'll explore complex mathematical concepts.
The four-week residential program invites 40 students to Stanford's campus, where they will participate in intensive academic work paired with organized social activities. The online program, accommodating 64 participants, offers a faster-paced three-week curriculum with live instruction, virtual guest lectures, and collaborative problem-solving sessions.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
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, students 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, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Statistics & Data Science Camp — Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Fully funded; includes a bus pass for local transportation
Program Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
At Carnegie Mellon University's Statistics & Data Science Camp, you can dive into a week-long, fully funded program focusing on data analysis and statistical modeling. Through interactive lectures, hands-on activities, and computer lab sessions, you'll gain proficiency in the R programming language and delve into topics like linear regression and text analysis. A highlight of the camp includes a field trip to a Pittsburgh-based company, such as Duolingo, offering real-world insights into data science applications.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a 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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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. Stanford AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850 + $40 (application fee)
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to high school students of all technical levels
Stanford's AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp is a two-week virtual program designed for high school students interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. You'll delve into fundamental machine learning concepts through interactive lectures, practical coding exercises, and expert discussions. Topics will include evaluation metrics, challenges, best practices, and emerging areas such as generative AI.
The curriculum also includes social events and virtual "Career Lunch and Learns" featuring guest speakers from academia, industry, non-profits, and government.
6. SDSU Robotics Camp
Location: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Cost: Fully funded
Program Dates: July 14 – 21
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 12 (requires a teacher recommendation form)
Hosted by the SDSU Systems and Intelligence (SMILE) Lab and Talent Search, the camp provides hands-on experience with tools such as Scratch, Python, drones, and MBot Mega robots. You'll engage in STEM lab sessions, campus tours, and hear from guest speakers, all while developing practical skills in coding and robotics. The program emphasizes collaboration and critical thinking, laying a strong foundation for future STEM endeavors.
7. Summer Camps at UC San Diego
Location: University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
Cost: Varies by camp; financial aid is available. Find more info here!
Program Dates: 4-day camps in June-July
Application Deadline: Registrations open February 15
Eligibility: Varies by camp; refer to specific program details.
UC San Diego provides a wide range of summer programs centered around STEM and creative fields. Participants can gain hands-on experience in areas such as programming, robotics, engineering, filmmaking, and animation. One standout camp is the Sally Ride Science Academy, which offers workshops on artificial intelligence, robotics, space exploration, epidemiology, digital media, marine biology, and sustainability. These sessions are designed to inspire and prepare students for future STEAM careers.
Additionally, the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) offers summer camps featuring courses such as "Introduction to Programming with Java" and "Blast Off, Space Crew! Beginning Robotic Adventures with LEGO EV3 & SPIKE PRIME."
8. University of Minnesota’s IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp
Location: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students who have completed a full year of single variable calculus
At the University of Minnesota's IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp, high school students participate in an immersive week-long program focused on the application of mathematical models to tackle real-world issues. You will collaborate on projects that explore how mathematics can predict disease spread, assess climate impacts on resources, and analyze traffic flow effects on infrastructure. Past projects have included evaluating route options for potential light rail systems.
While the camp is non-residential and does not provide housing or meals, a limited number of remote participation slots may be available, with preference given to Minnesota students outside the Twin Cities area.
9. Canada/USA Mathcamp
Location: University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Cost: Free for families earning under $100,000; for everyone else, the base cost is $5,500; financial aid is available
Program Dates: June 29 – August 3
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: Students between 13 and 18 years of age, including international students
Canada/USA Mathcamp is a prestigious five-week residential summer program designed for mathematically talented students aged 13 to 18. The program offers an immersive experience that allows students to delve into advanced mathematical topics, including abstract algebra, topology, real analysis, and more. Beyond mathematics, the camp also explores interdisciplinary subjects including physics, linguistics, and quantum computing.
Each day, you will engage in a variety of classes tailored to different skill levels, from foundational proof techniques to graduate-level concepts. The curriculum is complemented by problem-solving sessions, weekly competitions, and collaborative projects. Evenings are filled with fun activities and colloquia talks that cover a wide range of topics, from string theory to the mathematics of origami and cognitive science.
10. MIT Mathroots
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 1 – 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 14–18 who have not yet started their final year are eligible to apply. Review all eligibility criteria before submitting your application.
MIT's MathROOTS is a free, two-week residential summer program designed for high school students aged 14–18 who demonstrate exceptional mathematical talent, particularly those from underrepresented or underserved communities. Hosted by MIT PRIMES and held on the MIT campus, the program focuses on creative problem-solving, mathematical proofs, and advanced topics beyond the standard high school curriculum.
You will engage in a variety of classes, group activities, and lectures led by instructors with experience in both mathematical research and competitions. The curriculum aims to challenge students while promoting a profound comprehension of mathematical concepts, facilitating collaboration and critical thinking.
11. Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC) by Mathworks at Texas State University
Location: Texas State University campus, San Marcos, TX
Cost: $6,000; need-based financial aid is available
Program Dates: June 15 – July 26
Application Deadline: Round 1: February 15 | Round 2: March 15 | Round 3: April 16
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC) at Texas State University is a prestigious six-week residential program designed for high school students passionate about mathematics. The camp offers an immersive experience that delves into advanced mathematical topics, including number theory, combinatorics, abstract algebra, and analysis. What sets HSMC apart is its multi-summer structure.
First-year students engage in foundational coursework and collaborative problem-solving using tools like Mathematica. Returning students have the opportunity to undertake original research projects under the mentorship of Texas State faculty, with past participants achieving recognition in national competitions, such as the Siemens Competition and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
12. University of Georgia’s B.L.A.C.K. (Building Leaders through Analysis, Conceptualization, and Knowledge) Engineering Camp
Location: UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens, GA
Cost: Fully funded
Program Dates: June 9 – 13
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students aged 15–17 from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds
At the University of Georgia’s B.L.A.C.K. (Building Leaders through Analysis, Conceptualization, and Knowledge) Engineering Camp, You will participate in a week-long, practical exploration of engineering principles. This program focuses on developing critical thinking, enhancing communication, and fostering teamwork.
By participating in collaborative projects, you'll use principles from math, physics, and science to create innovative solutions for real-world challenges. The camp also offers mentorship opportunities, providing insights into the engineering field and fostering leadership skills.
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