15 Chemistry Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student with an interest in chemistry, participating in a summer program can be an excellent way to gain experience in the field. Many of these summer programs are offered by prestigious universities and organizations, allowing you to develop essential practical skills and learn from professionals with relevant industry experience. Additionally, they offer the chance to establish valuable connections at an early stage. Participating in chemistry summer programs for high school students will also provide you with a deeper understanding of the field and help you determine whether it is a career path you would like to pursue.
Whether online or in-person, here are 15 chemistry summer programs for high school students that you can explore.
15 Chemistry Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors; More details here
MIT’s RSI is a highly selective program that offers high school participants a combination of on-campus coursework and off-campus research work. The program begins with a week of intensive STEM courses taught by a variety of professors, followed by a five-week research internship during which you will develop and carry out an individual research project under the guidance of experienced researchers and scientists. It offers you the chance to understand and participate in the research cycle from start to finish. You’ll get to read up on current literature relevant to your field, put together an extensive research plan, and create written and oral presentations based on your findings.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP) Chemistry Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple sessions in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by session; the winter cohort application deadline is November 23
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of at least 3.67/4.0; Mostly 10th/11th graders preferred; Some tracks have various prerequisites
The Horizon Academic Research Program provides high school students with the opportunity to participate in research programs that span multiple subject areas, including chemistry, data science, machine learning, and more. Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that provides the opportunity to pursue either quantitative or qualitative research. During the program, you will be paired with a professor or PhD scholar who will act as your mentor and offer guidance and support as you develop a 20-page research paper. Later, you can submit your research paper to prestigious journals for publication. The program also provides a letter of recommendation. You can apply here.
3. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend upon completion
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 2 – February 16
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors (17+)
The Anson L. Clark Scholars is another highly selective program that accepts only 12 students each year. It offers high school students the opportunity to participate in hands-on research in fields like chemistry, physics, engineering, and more. For around seven weeks, you will gain relevant research experience by working alongside outstanding faculty from Texas Tech University. In addition, you will attend seminars, discussions, and field visits. The program is also designed to aid the development of the critical thinking skills essential to the field and to provide opportunities for you to explore your career interests.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Chemistry Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a GPA of at least 3.3/4
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides various rigorous research opportunities for high school students interested in exploring research. These opportunities often span a variety of fields, including chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, and other disciplines. As a participant, you will get to work on an independent research project under the 1:1 guidance of a PhD mentor. By the end of the 12 weeks, you will have a research paper that you can present at the Lumiere Research Symposium. You can apply here!
5. Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS)
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: Mid-January – April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (16+) who reside and attend school in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, or San Mateo Counties
The IFSS program is a two-week program that offers high school students the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research in chemistry. During the program, you will get to observe and interact with graduate students in Stanford’s chemistry department. By shadowing different researchers, you will gain experience in several types of research and learn about a variety of scientific topics and techniques. The program aims to provide high school students a holistic view of the scientific field.
6. ACS Project SEED Program
Location: Various institutions across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Scholarships range from 1 to 4 years of up to $5,000 awarded each academic year
Dates: 8-10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February – April 14
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors; Must have finished at least one high school chemistry course; More details in the “Eligibility Requirements” section
The Project SEED Program supports high school students by providing an opportunity to work in professional laboratory settings alongside experienced scientists who will serve as their mentors. You will get hands-on experience in research, working on a chemistry-related project individually or collaboratively with other students. You may also get to attend field trips, go on campus tours, participate in science fair competitions, and more. At the end of the program, you’ll be expected to produce a report or poster based on your research findings.
7. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition fees; Stipend offered
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (16+) with a GPA of at least 3.8/4.0; More details here
The Simons Summer Research Program is a highly selective program with an acceptance rate of about 5%. During the program, you will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on research projects across various fields, including chemistry. You’ll be matched with Stony Brook faculty members who will act as mentors and guide you through your research project. Aside from that, you’ll also attend research talks led by faculty, workshops, tours, and other events. By the end of the program, you should have prepared a research abstract and a research poster that reflect your completed work.
8. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: Fast-Paced High School Chemistry
Location: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, or Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI
Cost: Tuition fee varies; $55 nonrefundable application fee; Financial aid offered
Dates: June 22 – July 11 (session 1); July 13 – August 1 (session 2)
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: 8th-11th graders who have completed Algebra 1
The Fast-Paced High School Chemistry course covers material typically included in a one-year introductory high school chemistry course. As a participant, you will learn about topics like the periodic table, physical and chemical properties, the atom and atomic theory, and more. You’ll also explore some aspects of organic chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, etc. In addition, you will get to conduct lab work and carry out hands-on experiments. By the end of the program, you will be able to explain how bond formation and intermolecular forces affect the properties of various materials, distinguish transition metals, understand molecular interactions through chemical reactions, and more.
9. Yale University: Summer Sessions
Location: Yale University’s New Haven campus, New Haven, CT
Cost: Varies by program type; Financial aid available
Dates: May 26 – June 27 (session A); June 30 – August 1 (session B)
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Rising seniors or current seniors (16+)
Yale University offers competitive pre-college programs to academically strong high school students looking to challenge themselves this summer. During the program, you will attend college-level classes alongside college students and other high school students from around the world. Some chemistry courses you’ll be able to participate in include: “General Chemistry,” where you will gain a comprehensive overview of inorganic and physical chemistry; “Biochemistry,” during which you will learn about the biochemistry of animals, plants, and microorganisms; and “Organic Chemistry,” which dives into the fundamentals of organic chemistry.
10. Brown University: Pre-College Programs
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: Varies; Financial aid offered
Dates: Varies by program/course
Application Deadline: January 15 – May 9
Eligibility: High school students (specific requirements vary per program)
Brown University offers several pre-college programs that allow high school students to explore their areas of interest while also experiencing campus life. The program offers several chemistry courses that you can enroll in, whether online or in person at Brown University. You’ll get the chance to learn from Brown faculty and industry leaders and connect with peers from around the world. Some of the chemistry courses you can attend include: “Materials Engineering: A Revolution in the Making,” during which you learn about the fundamentals of material engineering; “Laboratory Research in Biomedicine,” where you gain essential laboratory skills; “Chemistry in Drug Discovery: From Lab to Laptop,” which lets you explore subjects like biochemistry, drug discovery, and so on.
11. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Topics in Biochemistry
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080; Financial aid offered
Dates: July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 who have completed a high school biology course
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes program provides high school students worldwide with the opportunity to learn from prominent scholars and instructors with extensive expertise in their respective fields. It is a virtual program that offers over 70 courses for you to choose from, including “Topics in Biochemistry.” During this course, you will explore the field of biochemistry and its critical role in supporting life processes. The curriculum emphasizes the four essential macromolecules and examines how their dysfunction can lead to health issues. You will also have the opportunity to attend live lectures, engage in group activities, and complete assignments designed to enhance your understanding of this subject.
12. UPenn: Chemistry Research Academy
Location: The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,949; Full Scholarships offered to select Philadelphia students
Dates: July 5 – 26
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: U.S. and international current 10th-11th graders
The Chemistry Research Academy provides students with an opportunity to gain insight into the latest developments in modern chemistry. As a participant, you will have the chance to learn directly from faculty and students involved in research at the University of Pennsylvania. During the program, you will gain hands-on laboratory experience and learn techniques like spectroscopy and gas chromatography. You’ll attend research lectures that address topics like nanoscale materials, the chemistry of the rare earth metals, chemical protein modification, and more, and spend time learning some of the fundamentals in classrooms. You’ll also go on field trips to places like the Singh Center for Nanomaterials, the Science History Institute, and the department research labs. Throughout the program, you’ll also receive guidance as you work on an independent research project.
13. Boston Leadership Institute: Chemistry Edge
Location: Gann/Bentley, Waltham, MA (session 1); Olin College, Greater Wellesley, MA (session 2)
Cost: $699 tuition fee (+ $699 per week residential fee if you stay on campus)
Dates: July 21 – 25 (session 1); August 4 – 8 (session 2)
Application Deadline: No deadline; Open enrollment
Eligibility: 8th-12th graders
The Boston Leadership Institute’s Chemistry Edge is a one-week program for students interested in learning more about chemistry during the summer. During the program, you will explore topics such as algebraic manipulation, dimensional analysis, atomic structure, and more. You will also gain insights into the design of the periodic table and develop skills in writing chemical formulas and naming compounds. The program is structured to ensure you can perform fundamental problem-solving tasks in chemistry. It’s a good program to attend if you plan to enroll in more advanced chemistry classes during the upcoming academic year or in college.
14. Columbia University: Pre-College Programs – Intensive Seminars in Modern Chemistry
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $12,764; Need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 30 – July 18
Application Deadline: Tentatively: March 3 (early); March 17 (general)
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old; Should have completed Algebra 1 & Algebra 2and one year of high school chemistry
Columbia University offers a multitude of pre-college programs, including summer programs that take place on campus or even online. As a participant, you’ll be able to choose from over 70 courses, including “Intensive Seminars in Modern Chemistry.” During this course, you’ll explore the intricacies of chemistry and current research methods used in the field. You’ll attend presentations and seminars led by senior faculty members and participate in small group discussions. You’ll also conduct experiments, contribute to group projects, and get formal training in research techniques like spectroscopy, chromatography, and more. In addition, you’ll go on field trips to various research facilities and attend guest lectures.
15. Boston University Research Internship in Science and Engineering (RISE)
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $60 nonrefundable application fee + $5,700 tuition fee + additional charges; Financial aid available
Dates: June 29 (residential)/June 30 (commuter) – August 8
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 14
Eligibility: Rising high-achieving high school seniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The RISE program is a highly competitive initiative with approximately 130 students participating annually. Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to conduct university laboratory research alongside leading scientists. You can choose to participate in one of two tracks: Internship and Practicum. In the internship track, you will work on a research project in areas such as chemistry, astronomy, biomedical engineering, and others, under the guidance and mentorship of BU’s faculty, postdoc fellows, or graduate students. During the program, you will enhance your technical and analytical skills while also gaining valuable insight into the scientific process. You’ll also get to attend Practicum workshops once a week and eventually present your work at the final Poster Symposium. In the practicum track, on the other hand, you will spend your time attending valuable lectures and conducting group research under the guidance of a BU instructor. This track features a structured curriculum and provides a limited selection of research areas to choose from.
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