14 Chemistry Summer Programs for High School Students in Washington State
If you are interested in chemistry and want to go beyond what your high school classes offer, a summer program can give you deeper academic exposure. In these programs, you can study topics such as reaction mechanisms, molecular structure, materials science, biochemistry, and environmental chemistry while developing laboratory and analytical skills. You also gain structured mentorship from researchers and instructors, helping you better understand how chemistry connects to medicine, energy, engineering, and scientific research.
Why should you attend a program in Washington State?
Washington State is home to a solid network of universities, research institutes, and national laboratories that host summer programs in chemistry and related STEM fields. You may conduct laboratory experiments, assist with ongoing research projects, analyze chemical data, and participate in seminars that introduce advanced scientific concepts. Whether you live in the state or are considering traveling for a focused academic experience, Washington offers a range of programs that reflect its strong research and STEM infrastructure.
In this blog, you’ll find a selected list of 14 chemistry summer 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 Training for High School Students
Location: Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 16 spots available
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application deadline: January 5 – March 8
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors within commuting distance of downtown Seattle; More details here
This program in Washington State introduces you to biomedical research through a laboratory experience supported by lectures and mentorship. Over several weeks, you learn core lab techniques, including microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, agarose gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, and basic gene-editing methods. These activities are grounded in chemistry and biochemistry concepts, including molecular interactions, protein analysis, and chemical processes underlying immune responses and infectious disease. Researcher instruction links laboratory skills to topics such as immunology, global health, and biochemistry. You design and conduct an independent research project with guidance from a mentor. The program also includes college and career workshops, facility tours, and a final presentation sharing your research outcomes with the Seattle Children’s research community.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Multiple 12- to 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants must have either completed the AI Scholars program or have experience with AI concepts/Python
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 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. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Summer High School Internship (SHIP) Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22–August 14
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year or final term after the summer with a strong science background
Fred Hutch’s Summer High School Internship Program is an eight-week, full-time paid experience focused on biomedical research. The first two weeks emphasize foundational laboratory skills, including DNA isolation, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and tissue culture, all rooted in biochemical principles. You then join a six-week research group, working closely with a mentor on ongoing projects in cancer biology and molecular science. The program integrates seminars on ethics, data analysis, and scientific communication. College-readiness and career-development workshops are also included. The internship concludes with a formal presentation of your research to the Fred Hutch community and guests.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on the program. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school, 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. 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, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Biomedical Research Internship for Growth of High School Trainees from Underrepresented Populations (BRIGHT-UP)
Location: University of Washington, Seattle
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; Around 20 spots
Dates: June – August (1 week orientation, 6 weeks internship)
Application deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: High school students (especially those from underrepresented backgrounds)
BRIGHT-UP is an eight-week paid internship that introduces you to biomedical research through a combination of training and mentored lab work at the University of Washington. The program begins with a week of orientation focused on laboratory safety, experimental techniques, and core concepts in biomedical science, including biochemistry. You then spend six weeks embedded in a research lab, contributing to an active project involving chemical, molecular, or biological analysis. Weekly professional development sessions address college preparation, scientific communication, and career pathways, while lab tours and research panels provide exposure to different scientific disciplines. The program concludes with a symposium where you present your research findings to peers and the UW community.
6. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Varies based on Department of the Navy (DoN) lab locations (including NUWC - Keyport and PSNS/IMF Puget Sound - Bremerton)
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application deadline: August 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 (16+) who are U.S. citizens
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program places you in a Department of the Navy laboratory for eight weeks of full-time summer research. Depending on your assignment, you may work on projects related to materials science, environmental chemistry, biofuels, or chemical analysis. Many placements involve hands-on laboratory work, including synthesis, testing, and data interpretation under the guidance of professional scientists and engineers. You learn how chemistry and related sciences are applied in federal research environments supporting defense and technology development. The chemistry summer program for high school students in Washington State also includes mentorship, lab tours, and exposure to professional research workflows.
7. Roots to Wings Program – PNWU
Location: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, Yakima
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer cohort
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Indigenous students (including high school students), particularly from the Yakama Nation, or students from rural communities
This chemistry summer program for high school students in Washington State at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences introduces you to health science careers through hands-on learning and mentorship. You participate in laboratory activities, including chemistry experiments, anatomy labs, electromyography demonstrations, and clinical simulations. These experiences help you understand how chemical principles support healthcare practices, including diagnostics and treatment planning. The program operates under a co-mentorship model, where you learn alongside PNWU students and contribute your perspectives. Exposure spans multiple disciplines, including medicine, nursing, physical therapy, EMS, and medical assisting.
8. Fred Hutch Pathways Research Explorers Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle
Stipend: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 16 students
Dates: Session 1: July 27 - August 7 | Session 2: August 10 - 21
Application deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Applicants must be starting 10th or 11th grade in the fall, have completed introductory biology or chemistry, and reside in Seattle or the surrounding areas
The Fred Hutch Pathways Research Explorers Program is a two-week, in-person summer experience designed to introduce you to biomedical and biochemical research. You’ll engage in hands-on laboratory activities that emphasize molecular and chemical processes used in cancer and public health research. The program includes guided experiments, lab tours, and discussions with scientists at different career stages. Many activities focus on foundational chemistry concepts, including molecular structure, reactions, and laboratory measurement techniques. Career development sessions help you understand pathways into research and higher education.
9. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) High School Internship
Location: PNNL labs
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, small and localized cohorts
Dates: June–August
Application deadline: March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who attend a partnering local high school (Tri-Cities, WA) and have U.S. work eligibility
PNNL’s High School Internship Program allows you to work in person at a national research laboratory during the summer, typically from June through August. As an intern, you collaborate with scientists, engineers, or technical staff on research or applied projects aligned with their interests. Chemistry-related placements may involve materials science, environmental chemistry, chemical analysis, or energy research. In addition to hands-on work, the program includes laboratory tours, leadership development activities, and career awareness workshops. You receive mentorship from experienced professionals who guide daily tasks and project goals.
10. UW ASM Materials Camp
Location: UW Seattle campus
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited cohort size
Dates: July 6-11
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school sophomores attending high school in the greater Seattle area
The UW ASM Materials Camp introduces you to materials science through hands-on laboratory work and applied science instruction. You explore how chemistry, physics, and mathematics combine to determine the properties of metals, polymers, ceramics, and biological materials. This chemistry summer program for high school students in Washington State includes demonstrations, lab activities, and field trips using professional instruments and facilities. Much of the learning focuses on chemical composition, structure, and material behavior under different conditions. The program concludes with an intensive team-based problem-solving challenge guided by materials engineers and researchers.
11. SoundBio Lab’s National Youth Laboratory (NYL) Internship
Location: SoundBio Lab, Seattle or virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 30 – August 20 (Mondays and Wednesdays)
Application deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Students ages 16 – 20
SoundBio Lab’s National Youth Laboratory Internship is an eight-week program that combines in-person and virtual learning in biotechnology and bioengineering. You work on hands-on projects in biochemistry, microbiology, electronics, coding, and additive manufacturing. Much of the work focuses on low-cost, DIY technology design, enabling you to explore how chemical and biological systems can be engineered to solve practical problems. You also develop project management and teamwork skills through guided research. Mentorship from professionals across STEM fields supports both technical learning and career exploration.
12. Johns Hopkins University - Applications of Chemistry in Medicine
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,950 + $85 application fee (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: Rolling; starts November 20
Eligibility: High school students who have completed 9th grade before the start of the program and have a minimum 3.0 out of 4 GPA
Applications of Chemistry in Medicine is an online pre-college course that examines how chemical principles support healthcare and pharmaceutical development. You’ll explore topics including compound synthesis, molecular interactions, reaction pathways, and diagnostic technologies. The course also explores the role of chemistry in consumer and industrial applications, including polymers, pigments, and cosmetics. Instruction is primarily asynchronous, allowing you to manage coursework while meeting scheduled deadlines. Optional live sessions provide opportunities for discussion and clarification. Upon completion, you earn one academic credit from Johns Hopkins University.
13. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote
Cost: $25 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: 15 years or older by June 18 for the remote internships and for the in-person/hybrid internships with computer labs; Wet-lab in-person/hybrid internships require you to be at least 16 years old by June 18
ASSIP is an eight-week, full-time research internship where you work directly with faculty or partner laboratories on original research projects. Chemistry-related placements may focus on analytical chemistry, drug discovery, materials science, or molecular analysis. You spend the summer conducting experiments, analyzing data, and learning professional laboratory techniques. You also develop scientific writing and presentation skills by preparing reports and posters. The experience concludes with a research symposium, and some projects contribute to conference presentations or publications.
14. Arizona State University - Introductory Chemistry
Location: Remote
Cost: $25 application fee and $400 credit conversion fee that you pay only if you’re satisfied with your grade and want to add it to your transcript
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
Arizona State University’s Introductory Chemistry course presents chemistry from a molecular-level perspective through structured online instruction. As an intern, you study topics such as atomic structure, bonding, chemical reactions, and material properties, with applications to health, energy, and biological systems. The course connects chemistry concepts to real-world contexts like blood pH regulation and materials science. The experience includes video lessons, guided notes, quizzes, problem sets, and laboratory components supported by immediate feedback. You also explore how chemistry intersects with biology and engineering. Successful completion allows you to earn four transferable college credits through ASU’s Universal Learner program.