15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Houston, Texas
As a high school student with an interest in STEM, participating in an academic program can help you explore the field in more depth and build a foundation for future study. These programs introduce you to areas such as research, engineering, data science, and healthcare while helping you develop technical and analytical skills. You also have the opportunity to learn from experts, collaborate with peers, and explore different STEM pathways.
Why should you attend a program in Houston, Texas?
Houston is home to institutions and universities, such as the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Houston, which offer rigorous STEM programs for high school students. In these programs, you may work on research projects, explore engineering concepts, analyze data, or study topics in medicine and science while learning from faculty and professionals. Whether you are a local or out-of-state student, these opportunities can help you engage with Houston’s academic and research environment.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Houston, Texas.
If you’re looking for free programs in Texas, check out our blog here.
1. Mohanlab Summer Internship Program for High School Students
Location: MohanLab, University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The MohanLab Summer Internship Program at the University of Houston is a selective, ten-week research program for high school students. As a participant, you will explore fields such as biomedical science, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and big data analytics. The first two weeks focus on learning core laboratory techniques and research practices. You will then spend eight weeks conducting bench research under the supervision of a scientist or graduate student and conclude with an oral research presentation. You might have the opportunity to continue working with the lab after the summer on data analysis or manuscript writing.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Rolling. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in 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 have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity 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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; $3,600 stipend (pre-tax)
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 17 – January 14
Eligibility: High school students (18+)
The Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine Summer Research Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center is a highly competitive, ten-week research internship for high school students. As a participant, you will work full-time on an active research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. For around ten weeks, you will learn core bench techniques and clinical research protocols used in hospital-based studies. Your work will include data collection, basic analysis, and reading and evaluating medical literature. The program ends with a formal research presentation at a closing symposium. You’ll also write an abstract that is published in the CATALYST Summer Program abstract book.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – STEM Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in good academic standing
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, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, TX
Stipend: $7,200 (10-week program); $6,480 (9-week program)
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 17 – January 19
Eligibility: Texas high school seniors (18+); For more details, check here
The High School Summer Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center is a highly competitive, ten-week research program for high school students interested in biomedical science. As a participant, you’ll work in a laboratory five days a week and learn the core methods used in scientific research. In addition to lab work, the program includes seminars on current research topics and structured training in scientific communication. You’ll take part in poster, abstract, and elevator pitch competitions. The program concludes with a research symposium where you’ll present your work.
6. The High School Emerging Researcher Experience
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital – Texas Medical Centre, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (16+) with a minimum 3.5 GPA
The High School Emerging Researcher Experience at Houston Methodist is an eight-week summer research program that introduces you to translational research. The program operates within the Undergraduate Research Internship Program at Houston Methodist. As a participant, you’ll work alongside undergraduate research interns on a defined summer research project. The faculty will introduce you to core laboratory techniques. You will complete the experience with a research poster presentation at the Methodist Association of Postdoctoral and Trainee Affairs (MAPTA) Symposium.
7. Summer Design Experience (The Idea Factory)
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: $500 per session; 10% discount if attending both sessions
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 9 – 13 (Session I); June 16 – 20 (Session II)
Application Deadline: May 23
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders
The Summer Design Experience: The Idea Factory at the University of Houston is a one-week, in-person program for high school students interested in how products are designed and built. You’ll work through guided design challenges that introduce engineering design, materials science, and spatial thinking. In Session I, you’ll learn how to turn flat cardboard sheets into functional 3D furniture by applying cutting, folding, and joinery techniques. In Session II, you’ll learn to design and make a lamp while learning about material properties, mold design, and positive and negative space. The program helps you apply engineering logic and material science to real construction constraints, similar to introductory college design and engineering courses.
8. UPWARDS Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, TX
Stipend: $7,200
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 17 – January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (18+) who identify as economically or educationally disadvantaged, with disabilities, or as first-generation students
The UPWARDS Summer Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center is a paid, ten-week research program for high school students interested in cancer research and biomedical science. You’ll work full-time, about 40 hours a week, with a faculty mentor on an active research project. The program places you directly in a research lab, where you will learn how scientific studies are designed, conducted, and analyzed. You’ll also attend lectures and seminars on core concepts in cancer biology and research careers. Finally, you’ll present a research poster at the CATALYST poster symposium.
9. BioTechnology Academy
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: $400
Acceptance Rate: Fairly selective
Dates: June 9 – 13 (tentative, based on previous year)
Application Deadline: June 6
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
The BioTechnology Academy at the University of Houston is a one-week summer program designed for high school students who are interested in exploring molecular biology and introductory coding. You’ll work in UH biochemistry labs and learn directly from faculty, with support from undergraduate and graduate student mentors. The curriculum covers topics such as molecular structure visualization, basic coding and algorithms, drug discovery, and molecular interactions. The program combines short lectures with guided lab sessions to build foundational technical skills used in biotechnology and related research fields.
10. TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; May be eligible for scholarships up to $1,000
Cohort Size: Approximately 55 students
Dates: June 9 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors attending UH in the fall; Must list a first-choice major in Natural Sciences, Mathematics, or Engineering; Must have completed or be enrolled in pre-calculus in high school
The TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy is a nine-week, fast-paced academic program for high school students interested in science, mathematics, or engineering majors. As a participant, you will enroll in an accelerated Calculus I course, study college-level chemistry, and prepare for transition to college. You’ll work closely with faculty and staff and build connections with other incoming STEM students at the University of Houston. Upon completing the course requirements, you can be evaluated for admission into your first-choice major in Natural Sciences, Mathematics, or Engineering if you did not qualify through automatic admission.
11. Texas High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX; Virtual options offered
Cost: Fully-funded
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Year-long program; Check the program dates here
Application Deadline: September 27
Eligibility: High school juniors residing in Texas
Texas High School Aerospace Scholars is a year-long STEM program for high school students interested in space science, engineering, and aeronautics. You’ll start with a five-month online course during the school year that covers Earth science, aerospace, and the solar system through lessons and graded activities. You’ll develop practical skills such as coding, computer-aided design (CAD), and engineering problem-solving. If you perform well in the engineering design challenges, you’ll be invited to a five-day virtual summer experience, where NASA scientists and engineers will mentor you. The top teams from this phase earn an all-expenses-paid residential experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
12. SMS Summer Research Program
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None; Minimum-wage stipend provided
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: High school students (18+)
The SMS Summer Research Program is an eight-week, full-time research internship at Baylor College of Medicine for students who have previously participated in Saturday Morning Science or an affiliated program. You’ll work directly in a lab or on a research project under the supervision of a BCM researcher for approximately 40 hours per week. You’ll also attend weekly Lunch and Learn sessions focused on research skills and professional development. Finally, you’ll present your work at the SMS Summer Research Symposium.
13. Rice ELITE Tech Camp
Location: Rice University Campus, Houston, TX
Cost: $1,799 (commuters); $3,899 (residential)
Acceptance Rate: Fairly selective
Dates: Multiple sessions between June and July; Check here
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Rice ELITE Tech Camp is a one-week pre-college engineering program run by faculty from Rice University’s School of Engineering. As a participant, you will study college-level engineering concepts through labs and structured challenges. You will also get to choose from two technical courses: one in the morning and one in the afternoon, covering areas such as AI, machine learning, robotics, data science, and biomedical engineering. Through these courses, you will learn to apply the engineering design process to real problems. You will also work in small teams to practice technical communication, project planning, and problem-solving.
14. Global Teen Medical Summit
Location: The Health Museum, Houston, TX
Cost: $1,950; Scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate: Fairly selective
Dates: June 14 – 19; July 19 – 24
Application Deadline: June 7 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students (ages 14-18)
The Global Teen Medical Summit is a short-term, immersive program for high school students interested in medicine and health sciences. During the program, you will explore healthcare through a STEM lens by examining how biology, technology, and data shape modern medical practice. You will participate in simulated medical activities and workshops, collaborating with a team on an ethical design challenge derived from a real clinical issue. The program includes sessions with professionals from the Texas Medical Center on how research, engineering, and innovation connect to medical careers.
15. Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI)
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Stipend: Up to $1,800
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Software Track: June 8 – 18; Hardware Track: June 22 – July 2
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current 9th-10th graders
The Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI) at Rice University is a year-long, NSF-funded research internship for high school students interested in digital health and biomedical technology. You can choose a track in either hardware, focused on wearables, or software, focused on data and AI applications. During the summer, you’ll collaborate with Rice researchers and healthcare professionals from Houston Methodist and work with digital health tools. The program continues into the academic year with Saturday training sessions and ongoing mentorship. You will present your work at the Spring Innovator Showcase.
Image source - RICE Uni Logo