15 Chemistry Programs for High School Students in Washington State
If you are a high school student interested in chemistry, structured programs are an excellent option, as they offer far more than traditional textbook learning. As a participant, you’ll gain exposure to laboratory skills, real research environments, and opportunities to connect with mentors and professionals in STEM fields. These experiences not only strengthen your academic foundation but also help you discover how chemistry connects to fields like engineering, medicine, and environmental science.
Why should you attend a program in Washington State?
In Washington State, several universities and organizations provide high-quality programs centered on chemistry, materials science, biotechnology, and related fields. You can conduct laboratory experiments, analyze data, study chemical reactions, or work on sustainability and biomedical projects guided by experienced mentors. Participating in a Washington-based program can offer benefits such as access to cutting-edge research environments and experienced instructors.
With that, here are 15 chemistry programs for high school students in Washington State.
If you are looking for internships in Washington State, you can check out our blog here.
1. Seattle Children’s Research Institute Research Training Program
Location: B. Wayne Hughes Building, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $2,000
Application Deadline: January 5 – March 8
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Eligibility: Rising juniors with an interest in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, public health, or a related scientific field; Must live within commuting distance to downtown Seattle
At Seattle Children’s Research Institute, the Research Training Program places you in a working lab where you can learn foundational research methods and understand how chemistry fits into biomedical science. You’ll begin with structured instruction in techniques such as microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, immunoassays, and basic gene-editing procedures, all of which rely on chemical principles like molecular interactions, separation methods, and reaction conditions. Lectures in biochemistry, immunology, global health, and infectious disease give you the context needed to interpret what you see in the lab. You’ll then move on to an independent project that ends with a short oral presentation summarizing your approach and results. By the end of the program, you will have experience applying chemical and biological concepts in a professional research setting.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
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 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. Clean Water Ambassadors Internship
Location: Several sites around King County, WA
Stipend: $20/hour
Application Deadline: April 21
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Eligibility: High school students (16+); Current and valid identification and proof of eligibility for employment in the U.S.
In this internship, you’ll look at how clean water systems function and how they influence environmental and public health. Offered through the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, the program includes both fieldwork and office-based assignments. During visits to treatment plants, agricultural sites, and watershed areas, you’ll observe water management processes and note how chemical, biological, and physical factors affect water quality. In the office, you’ll assist with research and communication tasks, interview staff members, and prepare a final presentation that outlines your findings on clean water topics. If you’re interested in sustainability or applied chemistry, the internship provides a structured way to study water treatment systems while developing skills in analysis, data interpretation, and clear communication.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Chemistry Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort. You can apply here
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students with 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! You can choose research topics from subjects such as chemistry, physics, data science, computer science, engineering, and more.
5. Fred Hutch Cancer Center Pathways Research Explorers Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $500
Application Deadline: March 6
Dates: Session 1: July 27 – August 7; Session 2: August 10 - 21
Eligibility: Rising 10th-11th graders who have completed an introductory biology or chemistry course; Must live in Seattle or the surrounding areas
This two-week summer program at Fred Hutch introduces you to biomedical research while showing how chemistry underpins many laboratory practices. You’ll spend time in the Learning Lab working with core techniques that rely on chemical principles, such as preparing solutions, measuring reactions, and analyzing molecular samples. Visits to research spaces give you a clearer view of how chemistry supports fields like cancer biology, immunotherapy, epidemiology, and biostatistics. The small-group setting allows you to discuss your observations, ask questions, and receive guidance as you develop your skills. You’ll also learn about the training paths that lead to research and medical careers, helping you understand how your growing knowledge of chemistry and biology fits into broader scientific work. Throughout the program, you collaborate with peers who are exploring similar interests and gain experience that connects laboratory practice with potential future study.
6. American Chemical Society: Project SEED Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Scholarships of up to $5,000 per academic year
Application Deadline: April 14
Dates: 8-10 weeks, from June through August
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least one year of chemistry and come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds (qualifying at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level)
The ACS Project SEED internship is a paid summer opportunity that introduces you to chemistry research through direct work in a laboratory. Over the course of eight to ten weeks, you’ll collaborate with a scientist who guides you through experimental procedures, data collection, and the day-to-day routines of chemical research. A virtual option is also available, giving remote participants access to mentored instruction, discussions about scientific careers, and sessions that support college planning. Throughout the program, you’ll take part in professional development activities and prepare a final presentation that summarizes your project. You’ll also become eligible to apply for scholarships intended to assist with future studies in STEM fields.
7. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: High School Internships
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
Stipend: Paid
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Dates: June – August (summer); August – May (academic year)
Eligibility: High school students at least 16-18 years old, depending on lab access rules
As a PNNL high school intern, you can be placed with business, engineering, or research teams that frequently involve chemistry-related work, such as materials, environmental, or energy science. You’ll spend part of each weekday on-site, under the supervision of a mentor, and will participate in leadership development activities, lab tours, and career workshops in addition to your project tasks. Depending on your placement, you may help with data organization, instrument prep, or simple lab procedures that do not involve hazardous materials if you are under 18. You’ll also practice communicating your work in presentations or written summaries. The program expects you to follow safety protocols and maintain professional behavior in a national lab setting. This experience can help you decide whether to pursue chemistry, engineering, or related majors in college.
8. University of Washington ASM: Materials Camp for High School Students
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: February 1 – March 15
Dates: July 6 – 11
Eligibility: Rising 11th graders in the greater Seattle area from all backgrounds (preference for underrepresented groups in STEM); Must have a strong GPA of 3.0 or higher
The Materials Camp for High School Students introduces you to materials science through activities that draw on chemistry, physics, and applied math. You’ll take part in short demonstrations, lab exercises, and field visits that show how chemical properties and material behavior relate to real engineering questions. As the camp progresses, you work with a small group and a mentor on a practical challenge that requires applying what you’ve learned about materials and their chemical characteristics. The experience is designed to help you understand how scientists and engineers study and test materials while giving you a chance to use laboratory tools and methods in a structured setting.
9. Talaria Summer Institute
Location: Chapters in several locations, including Washington; Virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: March 30
Dates: July 1 – August 12
Eligibility: Female and genderqueer high school students
The Talaria Summer Institute offers you the chance to work through a full research process by designing and completing your own independent project. You’ll be matched with a mentor who’ll help you refine a research question, review background literature, and use standard scientific methods to explore your topic. You’ll learn how to organize data, interpret your results, and prepare a written report that explains your approach and conclusions. You’ll also take part in peer review, giving and receiving feedback from other students, while developing your own project. By the end of the program, you will have gained practical experience with both research practices and scientific communication. Past chemistry-focused projects have included evaluating how well a simple, low-cost filtration system made from natural materials removes dye from water.
10. Na Ha Shnee STEAM Institute
Location: WSU Spokane campus, Spokane, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; ~15-17 students
Application Deadline: Not specified; Opens in the spring
Dates: 3 days
Eligibility: Native American/Alaska Native high school students
During the Na Ha Shnee STEAM Institute, you’ll participate in hands-on workshops on health science careers, including CPR and first aid training, traditional medicine sessions, and lab skills. You’ll attend sessions that feature interactions with faculty, healthcare providers, and Native elders, alongside health sciences students in nursing, pharmacy, and allied health. The program also offers cultural learning and leadership development to complement scientific problem-solving and communication training.
11. UW Summer Sessions: Chemistry and Related Courses for High School Students
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA (online + in-person available)
Cost: Varies + $80 nonrefundable application fee
Application Deadline: Opens in February
Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer (see here)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who meet age and academic criteria
Through UW Summer Sessions, you can enroll in college-level chemistry or related lab science courses while still in high school. You’ll attend lectures, labs, and exams alongside college students and are responsible for the full course workload. You’ll also gain exposure to college laboratory practices, safety procedures, and quantitative problem-solving at a higher level than typical high school courses. The program does not include housing or a cohort structure; instead, you integrate into existing UW courses. This option suits you if you want formal college credit and are prepared for a rigorous academic environment. If you’re interested in chemistry, Preparation for General Chemistry – CHEM 110 is an available course.
12. The Northwest School Summer Camp: DIY Chemistry and Science Classes
Location: The Northwest School, Seattle, WA
Cost: Varies (see here)
Application Deadline: Opens February 3
Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer
Eligibility: High school students
During the Northwest School Summer Camp, you’ll choose from a menu of classes, including a DIY Chemistry course aimed at giving you applied, lab-style experiences. In a DIY Chemistry class, you’ll design and run small-scale experiments that illustrate reaction types, solution behavior, or materials properties. The camp environment combines academics with recreational activities, so you balance class time with social and cultural programming. You’ll work in small groups and are encouraged to notice how everyday materials relate to concepts from your high school chemistry course. You’ll receive informal feedback on your experimental design and note-taking.
13. Regional Washington High School Summer School Chemistry (e.g., Issaquah SD)
Location: District high schools in Issaquah, WA
Cost: Varies; Dome students may qualify for fee waivers
Application Deadline: June 27
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students in the district
In district summer school programs like Issaquah’s, you can take Chemistry for original credit or credit recovery on an accelerated schedule. Classes usually meet daily, compressing a semester or year-long course into a few intensive weeks. You’ll complete lectures, homework, labs, and tests aligned with district and state standards. The pace requires you to stay organized and keep up with assignments, as each day covers substantial material. Labs are often streamlined but still require safe handling of chemicals and equipment. Successful completion can improve your transcript or help you move more quickly into advanced science courses. This path works well if you need flexibility in your schedule or want to retake or advance in chemistry within your local district.
14. University of Washington Summer Stretch: Chemistry
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: $1,450; Financial aid available
Cohort Size: Small classes
Application Deadline: February 15 – 28
Dates: June 30 – July 23
Eligibility: 7th-10th graders
During the University of Washington Summer Stretch program, you’ll complete an accelerated Chemistry course covering high-school-level content through intensive daily instruction from specialist teachers. You’ll attend small classes that enable hands-on lab work and problem-solving focused on core chemistry concepts, including atomic structure, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, and laboratory techniques. The program is a four-week format that condenses a full-year curriculum for academic acceleration.
15. The American Academy: Chemistry – SCI310
Location: Virtual
Cost: $238 per semester
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: Students ages 13+
The American Academy offers online, self-paced high school chemistry courses taught by licensed instructors. You may enroll in a single course or include the classes as part of a larger diploma program. In the first semester, you’ll work through core concepts such as states of matter, atomic structure, periodic trends, chemical bonding, reaction types, formula writing, and stoichiometry, along with an introduction to how chemistry is used in scientific inquiry. The second semester expands on these ideas by examining the behavior of solids, liquids, and gases, phase changes, solution chemistry, energy changes in reactions, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, redox processes, and electrochemistry. You’ll also study functional groups, polymers, selected biochemistry topics, and basic nuclear chemistry.
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