13 Chemistry Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts

If you’re interested in exploring science beyond your classroom, several chemistry programs for high school students in Massachusetts give you the chance to study the subject in more depth. These programs introduce you to topics and methods that go far beyond standard high school coursework. You might find yourself analyzing real data, carrying out research under the guidance of university faculty, or learning how chemistry connects with fields like biology, engineering, or environmental science. 

Many programs are project-based, so you’ll gain experience applying what you learn rather than just reading about it. No matter the format, you’ll leave with a better sense of how chemistry is studied at the college level. Exploring chemistry programs for high school students in Massachusetts can also help you discover whether you’re more interested in theory, application, or interdisciplinary work. This blog highlights 13 different options, each offering a unique way to engage with chemistry.

13 Chemistry Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts

1. American Chemical Society (ACS) Project SEED Program

Location: Blueprint Medicine, Cambridge, MA (plus other institutions around the country)
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Typically June – July/August
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Students whose family's annual income is not 300% over the Federal Poverty Guidelines 

Through Project SEED, you can spend your summer conducting hands-on research in a professional chemistry lab. You’ll work on projects that may include writing a formal report or preparing a poster for presentation. Depending on the site, you might also join career panels, visit campuses, or even present at an American Chemical Society national meeting. The program has two levels: first-time students (Summer I) focus on supervised research projects in chemistry or related fields, while returning students (Summer II) continue or begin new projects with increased independence.

2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program—Chemistry Track

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Starts at $3,190 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Academically strong high school students

This program lets you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to design and carry out an independent research project in chemistry or another STEM field. Over 12 weeks, you’ll move through the research process step by step: choosing a topic, refining a research question, writing a paper, and preparing it for evaluation. Your mentor will guide you through everything from background reading to drafting and editing, with structured weeks that mimic how real researchers work. If you continue in the publication track, you’ll also learn how to prepare a paper for submission to academic journals. Available topics range widely, and you can even propose your own if it’s not listed. By the end, you’ll have experience producing college-level work, with the chance to present your findings at a symposium. It is one of several chemistry programs for high school students in Massachusetts, offering a structured pathway into independent research.

3. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 students
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: Academically strong high school juniors. You can find more detailed requirements here

RSI begins with a week of seminars covering topics in chemistry, biology, mathematics, and other fields, before you move into intensive, mentor-led research. You’ll learn how to find scientific literature, model systems, and present your work in conference-style papers and talks. From weeks two through five, most of your time is spent in the lab on original research guided by faculty and graduate mentors, with every student required to prepare a paper and oral presentation at a professional level. You’ll also attend evening lectures from visiting scientists, including Nobel Prize winners, which connect lab work to broader scientific innovation. 

4. Horizon Academic Research Program—Chemistry Track

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $6,450 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Academically strong high school students

With Horizon, you’ll complete a 20-page research paper under the guidance of professors and PhD scholars from leading universities. The program offers two different paths: a small group seminar with 3–6 students, or a one-on-one lab setting where you work individually with a mentor. Your research topic can be drawn from a set of pre-approved areas, or you can develop an original idea tailored to your interests. Horizon emphasizes research methods, from literature reviews to data analysis, depending on what your subject requires. The program typically runs 10–16 weeks, depending on the track you choose. 

5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

Location: Multiple labs nationwide
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the internship and are U.S. citizens

SEAP places you directly into Department of Navy laboratories, where you’ll spend eight weeks working alongside professional scientists and engineers in real-world research tied to naval science and technology. Projects vary depending on the lab, but they often involve current challenges in STEM fields such as chemistry, engineering, and computer science. You’ll gain firsthand exposure to lab culture, from technical methods to collaborative problem-solving. The mentorship aspect is central: you’ll be guided by experienced researchers who model how applied science is carried out.

6. Army Educational Outreach Program Internships

Location: Various locations across the country
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by project and lab
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens

AEOP connects you with short-term internships at U.S. Army Research Laboratories, Centers, and partner university labs. These internships focus on applying classroom knowledge to ongoing research in areas like materials science, environmental chemistry, and biotechnology. You’ll receive guidance from professional scientists and engineers, and the mentorship structure allows you to both learn lab techniques and understand career paths in STEM. Beyond day-to-day lab work, AEOP provides access to training materials, webinars, and networking opportunities across the program’s broader community. 

7. Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program (YSP)

Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free program, a stipend may be provided (not guaranteed)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 20–30 students per year
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live and attend school in Massachusetts within commuting distance of Northeastern University, and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents

At Northeastern University’s Young Scholars Program, you’ll join a research team within the Colleges of Science, Engineering, or Health Sciences. Previous projects have included battery chemistry optimization, cancer therapy development, and modeling simulations of particle flow. Alongside the lab work, you’ll attend a seminar series introducing different engineering fields and the challenges scientists address, from environmental problems to biotechnology. The program also includes field trips to industry and government research facilities, giving you a broader sense of where chemical and engineering research is applied. Beyond the technical experience, you’ll meet mentors who provide academic and career guidance.

8. MITES Summer

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is unavailable
Dates: Late June – early August
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors with a strong academic record and a passion for STEM

MITES Summer is a six-week program at MIT where you’ll take multiple courses in science, math, and humanities alongside students from across the country. Courses often cover advanced material not found in typical high school curricula, ranging from genomics and machine learning to architecture and environmental studies. Beyond the classroom, you’ll attend lab tours, engage in workshops, and participate in seminars with STEM professionals. Social and community events are woven into the schedule, allowing you to experience campus life while managing an intensive academic workload. The program concludes with written evaluations from instructors that detail your strengths and growth areas. 

9. Boston Leadership Institute Chemistry Research

Location: Gann Academy/Bentley University, Waltham, MA
Cost/Stipend: $2500 + $500 deposit + $2097 residential costs (if applicable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 30 – July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (typically rising juniors and seniors)

This chemistry program for high school students in Massachusetts centers on green chemistry, an area focused on redesigning materials and products to minimize environmental and health risks. You’ll study the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry while carrying out experiments such as producing biodiesel, transforming plastic into glass cleaner, and analyzing toxicology data. Past participants have visited research sites like MIT’s D-Lab, Beyond Benign, and Greentown Labs to see sustainability efforts in action. Lab work is paired with research presentations, giving you experience in developing hypotheses, designing experiments, and evaluating results. 

10. UMass Everyday Magic: Chemistry & Its Environmental Impact

Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
Cost/Stipend: $3,907 (in-person); $2,262 (commuter)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: July 27 – August 9
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Rising sophomores to seniors who have completed high school chemistry 

In this chemistry program for high school students in Massachusetts, you’ll study the physical and chemical behavior of matter while practicing college-level lab techniques. Each day begins with a short presentation on a theme like light, food, or energy, followed by experiments in pairs where you collect and analyze data. The curriculum spans topics such as stoichiometry, bonding, ester hydrolysis, acid–base reactions, and thermochemistry. You’ll also explore applications of chemistry in areas like solar energy, food science, and soap production. In addition, you’ll hear from guest speakers and participate in field trips, with activities like building molecular models in a digital media lab or learning about fullerenes from a researcher connected to Nobel Prize–winning work. 

12. Boston Leadership Institute Chemistry Edge

Location: Gann Academy/Bentley University, Waltham, MA, and Olin College, Greater Wellesley, MA
Cost/Stipend: $699 + $200 deposit + $699 residential costs (if applicable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Session 1: July 21 – 25; Session 2: August 4 – 8
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students preparing to take their first high school Chemistry, Biology, or Physics course

Chemistry Edge is designed to reinforce the foundations of high school chemistry before you encounter the subject in class. If you’re looking for chemistry programs for high school students in Massachusetts that strengthen core skills, this option focuses on preparation and strategy. Over the course of one week, you’ll review key areas including dimensional analysis, formula writing, naming compounds, and understanding atomic structure. You’ll also practice algebraic manipulation and identifying common sources of error in lab work. The short format makes it especially suited for students entering chemistry in the fall.

13. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Online Programs

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course and format (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is unavailable
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: Students in grades 2–12

If you want a flexible chemistry program for high school students in Massachusetts, CTY’s online structure adapts to different learning styles, with courses available year-round. Chemistry and related STEM subjects are available in multiple formats: session-based (with deadlines and optional meetings), individually paced (with flexible timelines), and live courses that combine synchronous discussions with independent work. Each format is taught by instructors familiar with engaging advanced learners, and includes personalized feedback to help you work through complex topics. Virtual clubs and forums also let you connect with peers who share your interests. 

14. Columbia University Online Summer

Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,815 (1 week), $3,965 (2 weeks)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Exact information is unavailable
Dates: Session A: July 7 – 18; Session B: July 21 – August 1; Session C: August 11 – 15
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: High school students

During Columbia’s Online Summer program, you’ll participate in live, weekday sessions that combine discussions, debates, simulations, and group projects. The program spans one or two weeks, depending on the courses you select, with more than 40 options across multiple disciplines. You’ll not only study subject matter in depth but also build academic skills through interactive learning formats. At the end, Columbia awards you a Certification of Participation along with an evaluation of your performance. This structure is designed to mirror aspects of a real college course while still fitting into a short summer timeline.

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