14 Chemistry Programs for High School Students in Illinois
As a high school student, chemistry programs can offer you insight into a range of topics and careers in the field. These programs go beyond classroom learning, giving you the opportunity to practice lab techniques, work with advanced tools, and learn directly from scientists, professors, and industry professionals. You’ll get a clearer picture of how chemistry connects to careers in medicine, engineering, technology, and sustainability.
Why should you attend a program in Illinois?
Illinois is home to prestigious universities and institutions such as the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory, which host programs focusing on various topics in the field. These programs help you build valuable skills in research methods, data analysis, problem-solving, and teamwork. Whether you are a local or out-of-state student, you can learn from experts in the state while building a network of peers who share your interests.
To make your search easier, here is a list of 14 chemistry programs for high school students in Illinois.
If you are looking for internships in Illinois, check out our blog here.
1. Sparking High Schoolers' Excitement for Research in Engineering & Science (SpHERES) High School Research Program
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost | Stipend: Free | $2,400
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: June 20 – August 1, with an online orientation on May 29, June 11, & 12, and an in-person orientation on June 17 – 18
Application Deadline: February – March 24 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin
As part of the SpHERES High School Research Program, you will spend six weeks at a world-class research university exploring the intersection between medicine, science, and engineering. You will contribute to ongoing research in areas like chemical and biomolecular engineering, neuroscience, and molecular and integrative physiology under the guidance of university faculty, post-doctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, as well as local high school teachers. The program also includes weekly seminars on the college admission process, scientific communication, and preparing for a poster presentation. You will also work on a mentored research project that you will present at the final symposium. By the end of the program, you will have developed skills in clinical research and scientific methodologies, while gaining a better understanding of career opportunities in medicine and research.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Program Dates: Multiple 10- to 15-week cohorts in a year, including winter, fall, spring, and summer
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort; you can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High school students | Applicants to the AI Fellowship program should have either completed the AI Scholars program or have prior experience with Python or AI concepts.
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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Argonne National Laboratory's College Bound Research Program
Location: Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL
Cost | Stipend: Free | $500/week
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Program Dates: June 9 – August 1 (tentative)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Graduating high school students who are at least 18 years old and enrolled to attend college full-time | Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.75/4.0 | U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
The College Bound Research Program at Argonne National Laboratory offers local Illinois high school seniors the opportunity to spend the summer after graduation working full-time alongside professional scientists and engineers. Participants are placed in laboratory or office environments where they contribute to ongoing research, getting firsthand insight into what it means to work at a national lab. Research areas vary by placement but may include chemistry, carbon management, energy storage, and nuclear science. Students work a 40-hour week, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and are expected to commit to the program’s schedule. By engaging in daily lab activities and collaborating with Argonne staff, students develop technical research skills, gain experience in a professional work environment, and learn more about the scientific discovery process.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Chemistry Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program (check here for more information) | Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring cohorts
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement. (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
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. Students interested in chemistry can explore topics like organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, chemical kinetics and dynamics, and other related subjects. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Chicago State University’s Career Exploration Camps – Chemistry Camp
Location: Chicago State University, Chicago, IL
Cost | Stipend: Free | A participation stipend is offered, but its value hasn’t been disclosed.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified, but there are only a limited number of seats available
Program Dates: June 17 – July 10
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a demonstrable interest in Chemistry or Biology | Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5/4.0
This 4-week summer program at Chicago State University is designed for high school juniors and seniors who want to explore various careers and research opportunities in Chemistry. As part of the program, you’ll participate in scientific research on topics ranging from natural product extraction and biodegradable polymer synthesis to recycling techniques for additive printing. Under the guidance of experienced CSU faculty and staff, you will receive hands-on training in using modern chemical instrumentation and gain firsthand insight into how professional research teams function in a university lab. You will also attend workshops on college admission and FAFSA to enhance future academic planning. At the end of this chemistry program for high school students, you will have a better idea of what a career in Chemistry might look like and also earn a participation stipend.
6. Argonne National Laboratory’s Exemplary Student Research Program (ESRP)
Location: Takes place at the participating schools, with two mandatory visits to Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, during the school year
Cost | Stipend: Free | None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: One team consists of a high school teacher and 4–8 high school students from the same school
Program Dates: The program lasts the entire school year, starting in August and ending in early Spring
Application Deadline: July 3
Eligibility: Teachers who hold a valid state teaching certificate for grades 9–12 and are currently employed by a school | Selected teachers can choose 4–8 students from their school to form a team | The students must be at least 16 years old
In the ESRP, you and your fellow students can take part in a year-long research project guided by your high school teacher and Argonne scientists. Each school may form one team of 4–8 students, led by a teacher who applies on behalf of the school. The teacher is also responsible for selecting the team members. If selected, your team will develop a research proposal, design and conduct an experiment, often using facilities such as the Advanced Photon Source (APS) or the Center for Nanoscale Materials, and collect and analyze data. You may have the opportunity to use beamtime at the APS or other special equipment at Argonne facilities to conduct research across various areas such as chemistry, carbon management, nanoscience, etc. You will also prepare a professional research poster and present it to the Argonne scientific community in the spring. Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in hands-on work at Argonne, while younger students may observe.
7. American Chemical Society (ACS)’s Project SEED Program
Location: Though there are no SEED projects in Illinois, you can still apply to the virtual summer camps
Cost | Stipend: Free | $4,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 350+ students each year
Program Dates: 8–10 weeks in June – July or August
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school students with an annual family income that does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines based on family size | Preferably, current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors | Must have completed at least one course of high school chemistry
The ACS’s Project SEED Program offers high school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to explore chemistry through its virtual summer camp. Over the course of the program, you will focus on college readiness, professional development, and lab preparedness while gaining exposure to chemistry-related career paths. The camp includes structured activities such as workshops on the college application and financial aid process, as well as sessions that highlight different areas of chemistry and related fields. You will also have opportunities to connect with mentors and professionals in the chemical sciences who can guide your learning and provide insight into both academic and industry careers. By participating, you will build skills that prepare you for future research opportunities and strengthen your understanding of how chemistry can be applied in real-world contexts.
8. Illinois Tech’s Elevate College Prep Summer Programs – Chemistry Tracks
Location: Illinois Tech, Chicago, IL
Cost | Stipend: Varies by program—Overnight: $6,500, Daytime: $4,500, Virtual: $300-$350 (need-based financial assistance available) | A $500 scholarship is awarded to participating students, so they may use it for tuition if they choose to pursue an undergraduate degree at Illinois Tech.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Some programs are selective, while others operate on an open-enrollment basis
Program Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: If you apply on or before May 1, the final payment is due by May 15. If you apply after May 1, the deadline is May 30.
Eligibility: High school students | Only students over 15 years of age can apply to the overnight programs | Some programs might have additional prerequisites. For example, the Chemistry Scholars program requires students to have a grade of C or above in a chemistry course. Check here for more information.
At Illinois Tech’s Elevate College Prep, you can choose from a range of courses, including two chemistry-focused summer programs designed to give high school students practical and theoretical knowledge of the chemical sciences. In Chemistry Scholars, you work alongside a faculty adviser on projects that may span bioanalytical, environmental, forensic, or materials chemistry, with applications in areas such as energy, sustainability, health, and technology. In From Lab to Life: A Chemistry Career Exploration, you will study various chemical reactions and gain hands-on experience in using analytical devices, chemoinformatics, and computational tools. You will also explore how chemistry connects with biology, physics, and medicine. Both programs emphasize guided mentorship from Illinois Tech faculty and provide extensive lab-based learning that sheds light on how chemistry research is applied across disciplines.
9. Grainger Engineering Summer Camps – CURIE: Catalyzing UR Interest in Chemical Engineering
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost: $600 (Commuter) or $1,000 (Residential) + $25 deposit (scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Typically between 25–40%
Program Dates: July 27 – August 2
Application Deadline: Applications open in February, and the priority deadline is usually towards the end of March each year
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12
CURIE: Catalyzing UR Interest in Chemical Engineering camp gives you the chance to explore chemical engineering concepts and their real-world applications through demonstrations, hands-on activities, lab tours, and classroom presentations. During this camp, you will study a wide range of chemical engineering topics across disciplines, from protein function in the human body to plastic production and the production of large quantities of chemicals used in factories for manufacturing everyday products. The program is taught by university faculty, graduate students, and undergrads, while also incorporating virtual sessions with chemical engineers to give you an understanding of how big engineering equipment, such as distillation towers and extruder machines, is used in an actual chemical plant. You might even get the chance to visit local chemical plants and interact with professional engineers in person, gaining valuable insight into everyday life in the industry. You will leave the camp with a better understanding of chemical engineering careers and research opportunities.
10. Summer at UChicago – Organic Chemistry in the Lab and the Field
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900 + $50 application fee (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 14 – July 4
Application Deadline: January 22 (Priority Deadline); March 5 (Regular Deadline); April 15 (Extended Deadline); After April 15, applications are on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are at least 14 years old | It is recommended that students complete at least one year of high school chemistry
This three-week undergraduate-level immersion course at the University of Chicago introduces high school students to organic chemistry through the study of medicinal plants. You will gain experience in laboratory techniques used to study the chemical structures underlying plant-based remedies. The program also includes a site visit to a prairie, where you will examine indigenous and folkloric medicinal plants before returning to the lab to investigate their properties. Alongside scientific enquiry, you will also explore the ecological and cultural significance of sustainable harvesting practices. The course concludes with a project in which you will apply your chemical knowledge to design and create your own medicinal salve, integrating research, experimentation, and practical application.
11. Northwestern College Prep: IN FOCUS Seminars – How to Get Away With Murder: Forensic Chemistry
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: $3,450 (Commuter) or $4,850 (Residential) + $60 application fee (Financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Admission to the program is limited and on a rolling basis
Program Dates: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grades 9–11 | 14–17 years old | Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
Northwestern College Prep’s IN FOCUS Seminar, How to Get Away With Murder: Forensic Chemistry, is a two-week course that introduces you to the chemistry behind modern forensic science. You will investigate fictional and real murder cases using techniques such as fingerprinting, trace metal analysis, and spectroscopy to analyze evidence from crime scenes. Classes are structured like a college seminar and combine lectures, discussions, group work, and independent projects. Alongside coursework, you will participate in virtual visits to crime scenes and labs, meet guest speakers such as medical examiners and forensic anthropologists, and complete a final project that you present to your peers. By the end of the program, you will understand how chemistry is applied in forensic investigations and gain experience using analytical techniques to evaluate complex crime scenes.
12. Grainger Engineering Summer Camps – GEMS: Material Science and Engineering Camp
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost: $600 (Commuter) or $1,000 (Residential) + $25 deposit (scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Typically between 25–40%
Program Dates: July 27 – August 2
Application Deadline: Applications open in February, and the priority deadline is usually towards the end of March each year
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12
Hosted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the GEMS camp introduces you to materials science and engineering through a series of hands-on lab activities, demonstrations, and guided projects. You will explore how chemistry, physics, and engineering intersect by investigating topics such as biomaterials, crystallography, sustainable energy solutions, and advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing and composite fabrication. Activities may include designing prototypes based on material properties, experimenting with everyday items such as chocolate to understand structural behavior, and examining the role of materials in technologies ranging from batteries to biomedical devices. You will also benefit from mentorship and interaction with professors, graduate students, and professionals in the field, gaining exposure to both research practices and industry applications. The program emphasizes collaboration and problem-solving, giving participants a practical look at how material science drives innovation across industries.
13. Summer at UChicago – Pathways in Molecular Engineering
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $8,900 + $50 application fee (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 7 – 26
Application Deadline: January 22 (Priority Deadline); March 5 (Regular Deadline); April 15 (Extended Deadline); After April 15, applications are on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are at least 14 years old
In this three-week immersion course at the University of Chicago, you earn college credit while exploring the foundations of molecular engineering. You study how concepts from chemistry, materials science, physics, and nanotechnology intersect to solve problems in areas like clean energy, water purification, and biomedical design. Alongside lectures and discussions, you take part in lab work and use supercomputers to build and refine models that guide your engineering projects. The course is structured like an undergraduate class, giving you the chance to engage directly with faculty while exploring topics like design principles, modeling, and optimization at the molecular level. By the end of the program, you will have gained experience working across multiple scientific disciplines and learned how molecular engineering principles can be applied to address real-world challenges.
14. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes - Topics in Biochemistry
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080 (there might be additional costs for course readers or textbooks, but they won’t exceed $100) (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Average number of students per course is 15
Program Dates: July 7 – July 18
Application Deadline: March 20 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 | Must have completed a high school biology course
As an Illinois high school student, you can apply to this Stanford pre-collegiate online course and explore the field of biochemistry from the comfort of your own home. Over two weeks, you will learn about the molecular foundations of life and the four main macromolecules—proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids and examine how their dysfunction can lead to health issues. You will take part in live lectures, small-group discussions, asynchronous assignments, and collaborative activities that mirror a Stanford classroom environment. The course culminates in a group project, where you and your peers select a topic that brings together multiple aspects of biochemistry, such as CRISPR-Cas9, bacterial antibiotic resistance, or mRNA vaccines, and present your findings. By the end of this chemistry program, you will have a stronger understanding of biochemistry concepts, develop skills in collaborative research and presentation, and be better prepared for advanced studies in the health sciences.
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