12 Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students in Florida
If you’re a high school student who is passionate about computer science, summer programs can be a great opportunity for you. Summer programs bring together learning, collaboration, and practical applications. These programs enable you to explore coding languages, software design, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other rapidly growing areas in the field.
Florida has universities, institutes, and organizations offering high-quality summer programs in technology, providing affordable local opportunities. Students interested in computer science, data science, and machine learning can find programs that align with their interests and career aspirations. These programs are often led by experts and professionals in the field, ensuring you can start building a strong skillset. They also allow you to meet like-minded peers, which can help you start building a strong network.
To make your search easier, we’ve narrowed down 12 computer science summer programs for high school students in Florida.
1. Florida State University – Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: Free; Students with significant financial need may apply for a supplemental stipend
Dates: June 9 – July 20
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who have completed the 11th grade in a Florida
public or private high school (10th-grade students may also be accepted) with at least a 3.0 GPA (unweighted). Have scored at least the 90th percentile in math on a nationally standardized exam (i.e., SAT, PSAT, ACT, or PLAN) and be enrolled in or have completed Pre-Calculus
If you’re interested in diving deep into STEM, Florida State University’s Young Scholars Program gives you a chance to spend six weeks living on campus and taking on challenging coursework in math, science, and computer programming. You’ll work through structured classes, such as Computer Science with Python or R, where you’ll not only practice the fundamentals but also apply them in project-based assignments. For example, you might use Python to analyze datasets or R to model ecological patterns, experiences that mirror the way researchers use programming in real scientific studies. Throughout the program, you’ll complete milestones that gradually build toward a final project.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or 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 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.
3. Florida Atlantic University – I-DeepLearn Summer Workshop
Location: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
Cost: Free
Dates: July 28 – July 31
Application deadline: July 1
Eligibility: Rising female students in grades 9th, 10th, and 11th grade
The I-DeepLearn Summer Workshop at Florida Atlantic University is a one-week program designed for female high school students who want to explore AI and machine learning in an intensive setting. During the week, you’ll take part in hands-on programming projects using Python while learning about topics like neural networks, gradient descent, and how AI can be applied to real-world challenges in healthcare. Because the program is small in size, you’ll have close interaction with faculty mentors and peers, giving you a chance to ask questions and get feedback as you work on research-focused projects. A key part of the experience is exploring how AI can address real-world problems, giving you a better understanding of technology's impact in areas like medicine.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program
Dates: Multiple cohorts are available year-round
Application deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in grades 9 – 12 with a strong academic record (unweighted GPA of 3.3+). No prior research experience is required. Students from Florida are encouraged to apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective opportunity for you to conduct independent research under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor, with computer science being one of the fields you can choose to focus on. For about 12 weeks, you meet one-on-one with your mentor to refine a research question, develop methods, and work toward producing a full research paper. Workshops on writing and the research process are also part of the program, helping you to formulate and effectively communicate your work. Many participants choose to submit their papers to high school research journals or competitions once completed.
5. University of Central Florida – Computer Science Summer Institute
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Cost: $1,250
Dates: June 9 – June 27
Application deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 7–11 who are at least 13 years old by the start of the institute
The Computer Science Summer Institute at UCF is a three-week program where you learn programming fundamentals and then apply those skills to game design using Python. You are placed into one of two levels depending on your math background: the beginner level introduces basic coding concepts and simple game design, while the advanced level integrates algebra into programming challenges and teaches you how to design more complex games. Instructors provide both individualized guidance and structured lessons, while also hosting a lecture series where computing professionals discuss the applications of computer science. At the end of this computer science summer program for high school students in Florida, you receive an academic report and syllabus that your high school may accept for credit.
6. University of Florida – Student Science Training Program (UF SSTP)
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $5,500 program fee + $50 application fee
Dates: June 8 – July 26
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program
If you wish to study computer science alongside other STEM disciplines, the University of Florida’s Student Science Training Program (UF SSTP) gives you a chance to spend seven weeks living on campus and working directly with a faculty mentor. You will spend about 30 hours per week contributing to ongoing research in a lab, which may involve computer-based projects, engineering applications, or even interdisciplinary work connecting CS with biology, medicine, or physics. Beyond research, the computer science summer program for high school students in Florida includes a daily lecture series on current scientific topics and a UF Honors Seminar where you complete papers, discussions, and presentations. You are also expected to keep lab notes, write a formal research paper, present your work through a poster session, and give oral presentations.
7. UCF Summer Institute – Competitive Programming Track
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Cost: $2,750; scholarships available
Dates: July 13 – July 25
Application deadline: April 18; applications open in mid-February
Eligibility: Students who are currently enrolled in grades 9–12 at the time of application and are at least 15 years old by the start of the program
For students drawn to problem-solving and coding challenges, the Competitive Programming Track at the University of Central Florida’s Summer Institute is built around the world of programming contests. In this two-week camp, you’ll use C++ to tackle increasingly complex problems, starting with guided practice and moving toward timed contests modeled after events like the USA Computing Olympiad or CodeForces. The computer science summer program covers both algorithm design and efficiency, meaning you’ll spend time learning key concepts like greedy strategies, simulations, and text manipulation. You’ll also receive coaching from UCF’s renowned programming team, which has a strong reputation in national and international competitions.
8. UF CPET – Precollege Scholars
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $200 per course
Dates: Session 1: June 9 – June 27 | Session 2: July 7 – July 25
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students currently in the 11th grade and who will be 16 years old or older by program start date
At the University of Florida, the Precollege Scholars program gives you a chance to experience college-level learning without the stress of grades, since courses are non-credit and taught by graduate students. If you’re interested in computer science, one option is “Introductory Python: Hands-on Problem Solving with Data Structures and Algorithms,” which focuses on building logical thinking and programming skills. Through interactive exercises, you’ll learn how coding concepts apply to problem-solving and practice skills that prepare you for coding competitions or technical interviews. Beyond technical instruction, the computer science summer program for high school students in Florida also gives you exposure to other STEM-related academic areas.
9. UF CPET – Research Immersion in Science and Engineering (RISE)
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $1200 + $20 application fee
Dates: Session 1: June 8 – June 13 | Session 2: June 22 – June 27
Application deadline: April 15 (rolling)
Eligibility: Students currently in the 11th grade and who will be 16 years old or older by program start date
The University of Florida's Research Immersion in Science and Engineering program offers a residential experience designed to help you explore how science and engineering interconnect in addressing real-world problems. Over the course of the program, you’ll take part in lab experiments, field trips, and case studies while also hearing from faculty and graduate students who are actively conducting research. The program highlights how basic research evolves into new applications and technologies, providing an inside look at the process of scientific innovation. Evenings include group activities and recreational time, so you’ll also get the chance to connect with other students who share your interest in computer science.
10. UCF Camp Connect I
Location: University of Central Florida main campus, Orlando
Cost: $200
Dates: June 23 – June 27
Application deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Rising 8th through 11th graders who are at least 13 years old
If you're interested in engineering and want to understand how various fields connect, UCF’s Camp Connect I provides a week of exploration and learning. Every day, you will delve into a different engineering field, like computer, mechanical, or aerospace engineering, by attending lab tours, listening to presentations, and engaging in hands-on activities. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to meet faculty and college students who will share their experiences and help guide you through projects. One highlight of the camp is working with a team to complete a project that you’ll present at the end of the week, giving you a chance to apply what you’ve learned in a collaborative way. Because computer science is included alongside other disciplines, you’ll start to see how coding and computational skills play a role in solving problems across many types of engineering.
11. Kode With Klossy Camps
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Each session lasts 2 weeks, running from June 3 to August 16.
Application Deadline: Interested students can join the program waitlist.
Eligibility: Women and gender-expansive students, aged 13-18
Kode with Klossy is a free, two-week online coding camp for students of underrepresented genders in STEM. The camp teaches people basic coding skills through projects they can do themselves. Students in the Web Development track learn how to make websites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The Machine Learning track teaches students the basics of AI, including algorithms, datasets, and natural language processing. It also helps them build a chatbot using Python. Some tracks focus on Data Science and Mobile App Development, which give participants a broad introduction to important areas of technology.
12. Google Summer of Code
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Students receive a stipend for their work. No amount has been specified.
Application Deadline: April 2
Dates: January 23 - November 17
Eligibility: Graduated high school seniors who are 18 years old or above
Through this virtual program, recent high school graduates can participate in open-source projects and obtain practical, real-world experience by working on a coding project. Students work with a source organization for more than 12 weeks while being supervised by mentors. The program's goals are to expose participants to real-world open source software development scenarios, help open source projects attract new developers to their communities, encourage participation in open source software development, and increase the amount of open source code available to everyone.
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