8 Data Science Research Programs for High School Students in California
If you are a high school student interested in data science, joining a research program can be a great option to learn more about the field and gain valuable experience. Research programs are a great way for you to gain lab experience, work on projects that interest you, and build skills in data analysis and visualization. You will also have the opportunity to work with and learn from researchers and start building a network.
California has many top-tier colleges, research labs, and tech organizations that provide data science research opportunities. These opportunities expose you to high-quality resources and tools, and you also receive mentorship from experts in the field. For in-state students, these programs provide access to local resources and faculty without the cost of long-distance travel, while out-of-state participants can experience the opportunities available in California and better understand the future academic opportunities available in the state.
To help with your search, here is a list of 8 data science Research Programs for High School Students in California.
1. UC Irvine - Data Science for ALL
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA.
Cost: Free
Cohort size: 40 students.
Dates: July 7 - 11.
Application Deadline: April 25.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 are eligible to apply.
Data Science for All is a summer program designed to teach foundational principles of data science and machine learning. You will learn data modeling, cleaning, wrangling, and visualization, alongside Python programming tailored for processing data. The program uses the open-source Texera platform to make concepts accessible regardless of prior computing background. A capstone project involves applying machine learning techniques such as classification and sentiment analysis to datasets, including social media data. Instructors include professors and PhD students from UCI and UCLA, providing expert guidance throughout the program.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, lasting 12–15 weeks.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students globally are eligible to apply. AI Fellowship applicants should have completed AI Scholars or have prior AI/Python experience.
Veritas AI offers two pathways for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence and related fields like machine learning and data science. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session boot camp that introduces you to AI fundamentals through real-world projects and foundational skills. For those with prior knowledge, the AI Fellowship provides a 1:1 mentorship experience with university-level mentors to develop unique individual research projects. This advanced track includes access to a publication team to help you submit your work to high school research journals and culminates in a showcase event. Both programs emphasize practical skills, mentorship, and opportunities to contribute original research in AI.
3. Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: Fremont, CA.
Cost: $1,070. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate: 31%.
Dates: Autumn: September 1 - January 15 | Spring: January 16 - May 30 | Summer: June 1 - August 30.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort.
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12 are eligible to apply.
ASDRP offers high school students the chance to engage in authentic, cutting-edge computer science, data science, and engineering research under the mentorship of expert researchers in the Bay Area, with remote participation available for out-of-area students. Accepted students often continue year-round, exploring various research groups or concentrating deeply on one area. The program is highly selective, with limited openings each term. ASDRP fosters diversity, rigor, and passion in STEM, making it an excellent opportunity for aspiring data science researchers.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Data Science Track
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3 are eligible to apply.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week virtual experience where you are paired one-on-one with Ph.D.-level mentors to conduct independent research in data science, computer science, and related fields. Throughout the program, you will develop skills in research design, data analysis, and scientific writing, culminating in a formal research paper. The program emphasizes self-driven inquiry and critical thinking, supported by expert mentorship to foster academic communication and methodology skills. This flexible, rigorous program allows you to deeply explore your chosen topic while building a strong foundation in data science research.
5. UC Santa Barbara - Summer Research Academies: Inside Scoop – Mapping Organizational Structures and Networks Through Data Science
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA.
Cost: Commuter: $2,775 | Residential: $8,774. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 25–30 students.
Dates: June 25 - July 25.
Application Deadline: March 31.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
UC Santa Barbara’s Summer Research Academies provide an immersive, project-based research experience where you take a 4-unit university course and develop a research project in your chosen track. The Data Science track focuses on analyzing organizational structures and networks through curated real-world datasets, using Python and machine learning techniques. You will explore network analysis to understand leadership, resource flows, and innovation in organizations, gaining experience with data modeling and analysis. The program includes academic seminars (GRIT talks), networking opportunities, and a capstone presentation where you showcase your research.
6. UC Santa Cruz - Science Internship Program (SIP)
Location: University of California, Santa Cruz, CA.
Cost: $4250 tuition and $65 application fee. Need-based scholarships are available.
Cohort size: 60 students.
Dates: Online Research Week: June 16–20. In-person Research: June 23–August 8.
Application Deadline: February 1 - February 28.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
The Science Internship Program at UC Santa Cruz offers the chance to spend your summer conducting open-ended research projects under the mentorship of UCSC researchers. The program begins with a week of virtual research activities, followed by seven weeks of in-person work where you will apply your skills to authentic projects across a wide range of disciplines, including data science. You will develop critical research skills, engage deeply with your projects, and collaborate with mentors and peers. The internship culminates in a hybrid presentation day where you will share your findings with the community.
7. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Location: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Cruz, CA.
Cost: $5,256 tuition and $44 application fee. Need-based financial aid is available.
Cohort size: 160–200 students per campus.
Dates: July 6 - August 2.
Application Deadline: January 8 - February 7.
Eligibility: California high school students with strong academic records are eligible to apply.
COSMOS is an intensive four-week residential summer program designed to prepare the next generation of STEM leaders by immersing you in advanced, lab-intensive curricula beyond typical high school offerings. You will study with distinguished faculty and researchers at one of five UC campuses, each offering unique courses aligned with its research strengths. The program emphasizes projects in data science, computer science, engineering, and mathematics to deepen skills and awareness of STEM career paths.
8. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free to participate; $25 application fee (waived for financial need).
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old for computer-based internships (remote, in-person, or hybrid) and at least 16 years old for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships
ASSIP allows you to collaborate with George Mason University faculty on research projects spanning various STEM disciplines. You will gain experience with advanced laboratory equipment, data analysis platforms, and professional research methodologies. Research areas relevant to data science include machine learning, software development, cybersecurity, game development, and digital innovation. Past student projects have ranged from creating JupyterLab plugins for best practices in data science to applying ML for autonomous robot navigation and developing planning algorithms for real-world robotics. The program emphasizes both technical growth and professional skills, including scientific writing and communication.
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