10 Computer Science Winter Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in computer science, a structured program during the winter can be a great way to learn new skills and explore academic interests in a short period. Offered by top institutions, winter programs help you get a pre-college experience, engage in practical application of knowledge, and learn from experienced mentors. They are also typically shorter and more affordable than summer options, making them accessible while still offering valuable learning experiences.
Many prestigious institutions offer computer science programs which enable you to develop skills like coding, programming, and machine learning through projects or research work. You get access to the resources they offer and receive guidance from professionals in the field. You can also get a clearer understanding of career options in computer sciene and add to your resume, helping you better navigate your future decisions.
In this article, we have compiled a list of 10 computer science winter programs for high school students to make your search easier.
1. Internships at Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Varies by internships. Present available location - Albuquerque, NM
Stipend: Based on earned credit hours and degree level
Dates: Rolling
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. with a minimum age of 16 years and a minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative grade point average
Internships at Sandia National Laboratories are a good option for you if you are interested in a paid learning opportunity in computer science. The internships will help you develop technical and research skills. You can choose from a range of topics, including cybersecurity, software development, and Python. You get mentorship from top engineers, and sometimes the internship can be converted into a full-time employment opportunity.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars
Dates: Varies with cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies for different cohorts; Winter cohort application deadline is October 19. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students. AI fellowship students need to have a basic understanding of Python or have completed the AI Scholars program.
Veritas AI offers different programs for computer science students. The AI Scholars program will help you learn the important concepts in AI by developing a project under the guidance of an AI expert. You can build your AI project by choosing one of the fields that you find the most interesting, such as gaming, healthcare, sports, mental health, and more. This is a group program with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. The second program is the AI Fellowship program, which has a 1:1 student-to-mentor ratio. It includes 15 sessions with a mentor and two sessions with a publication expert. Some of the benefits of this program include a novel AI model based on your interests, evaluation of your work by a mentor, and publication submission to a high school or college-level journal.
3. Google Code Next
Location: Multiple locations, including virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free program with a $250 stipend for eligible students
Dates: Varies by different cohorts
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Grades 9 -12
Google’s Code Next is a free AI education program offered to high school students. This program can prepare you to become a next-generation tech leader through skills such as app development and game design. As a Code Next student, you will become a creative thinker by improving your problem-solving and computer science skills. You will also get to be a part of individual or team projects where you will develop websites and programs, and showcase your skills. The program will allow you to interact with communities and professionals from Google and build your confidence to pursue tech in the future.
4. Lumiere's Computer Science Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies with program types
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts throughout the year. Winter cohort 1 - November 24, Winter cohort 2 - December 29
Eligibility: High school students
Lumiere’s Computer Science Track is a virtual program that runs throughout the year in multiple cohorts. The program is divided into four different types based on the duration, mentor type, program output, and individual sessions. During the course of the program, you will meet with a mentor and decide on a topic and your research question, after which you will write a research paper with the help of your mentor. In the final weeks of the program, you will submit your research paper for evaluation. You can apply for the winter cohort here.
5. Tisch Future Game Designers
Location: NYU Game Center's facilities, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: January 31 – May 9
Application Deadline: November 10
Eligibility: High school students
Future Game Designers is a free 14-week workshop where you can learn different tools and methods for developing digital games. In this practical, hands-on workshop, you will either work individually or in groups to create many gaming prototypes in a digital format. You will also develop a final game based on all these previous learnings. The workshop will help in improving your decision-making, communication, and collaboration skills. This computer science winter program for high school students will help you develop an in-depth and critical understanding of games.
6. CS50: Computer Science Courses and Programs from Harvard
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free, but a $219 - $299 fee must be paid to earn a certificate
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Varies with courses
Eligibility: Students at all levels interested in computer science
Harvard University's Computer Science 50 offers multiple courses that help you learn through real-world projects. Some of the concepts covered in these courses are: programming skills, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, algorithms, and more. The content of all the courses offered in this program is free, but you will have to pay a fee if you wish to obtain a certificate. The different courses will also help you learn web development, APIs, cloud services, and cryptography.
7. Cornell University's Pre-College Winter Program
Location: Online
Cost: $1,940/credit hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Dates: January 2 – 17
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (Ages 15 - 19)
Cornell University’s Pre-College Winter Program is a prestigious Ivy League program that will help you understand and experience college academics by working with Cornell University instructors. The program offers well-designed, online classes that can help you earn 3-12 credits, a transcript from Cornell, and build your confidence for college applications. You will have the opportunity to interact with fellow students and instructors through emails, video conferences, and discussion boards. Classes will be in both live and pre-recorded formats.
8. USC-Introduction To Cybersecurity
Location: Online
Cost: $1,990 + $35 Application fee
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum age of 14 years
USC-Introduction to Cybersecurity is a self-paced program for high school students, which is conducted online and covers topics like cybersecurity in the real world, ethical hacking, risk assessment, Internet of Things, and more. The course includes pre-recorded lectures, academic exercises, and assignments. On the completion of the course, you will develop basic skills in ethical hacking and develop an in-depth understanding of cybersecurity frameworks.
9. Introduction to Computer Science in Python 3
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: Year-long pacing
Application Deadline: Available year-round
Eligibility: High school students
Introduction to Computer Science in Python 3 is a free online program by CodeHS. As the program begins, you will learn about Python commands, control structures, and functions. You will practice string manipulation, handle exceptions, and then move to higher-level topics in Python. You will learn about creating and altering data structures, extending data structures, and participate in a word-guessing game. As the program comes to an end, you will have to give a final exam based on your learning. The final exam will be in a multiple-choice format.
10. Programming in Python - Coursera
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: All students interested in programming
Programming in Python by Coursera is a beginner-level course with a flexible schedule. The program comprises five modules through which you will learn skills such as Python programming, computer programming, algorithms, unit testing, cloud hosting, and more. You will also get to work hands-on with Python methods, objects, and classes. The course includes 22 assignments, and on completion, you can earn a shareable certificate. It is taught by Meta staff and is available in 22 languages.
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