15 Physics Summer Camps for High School Students
Physics summer camps can be a useful option if you’re a high school student interested in exploring concepts like mechanics, electricity, and modern physics. They help you build practical skills and deepen your understanding of physics through structured activities, discussions, and guided learning. You can also connect with peers and mentors while gaining exposure to different areas within the field.
How are camps different from other programs in high school?
Physics camps are typically shorter than traditional academic programs, making them a more focused way to explore specific topics. You might study areas such as electromagnetism, optics, or quantum mechanics while participating in experiments, projects, and interactive sessions. This format allows you to explore physics in depth without committing to a longer-term program.
To make your search easier, we've narrowed down our list to 15 physics summer camps for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. STARS Physics Camp @ UT Southwestern Medical Center
Location: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Dates: July 10 – July 18 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 10th-grade students
UT Southwestern Medical Center’s STARS Physics Camp is a hands-on learning opportunity for 10th-grade students. You will participate in laboratory exercises, engage in afternoon activities, listen to guest speakers, and attend lectures led by UT Southwestern staff. The expected physics topics for lab exercises include optics, resonance, measurements, motion, electricity, forces, and simple harmonic oscillations. The program is open to students and teachers and aims to improve science awareness, provide ongoing support, and offer instructional aids. You will have the opportunity to engage in a range of afternoon activities, including crystallography, team-building, a straw rocket competition, and prosthetics and orthotics.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. 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 looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program.Through this 10-session boot camp, you are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. A more advanced option is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase.Through this program, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you have access to the in-house publication team to help you 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. National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp)
Location: Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Cost: Free
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: U.S. high school 10th- and 11th-grade students. More information available here
National Youth Science Camp (NYS Camp) is a three-week residential STEM program for high school students. You will attend a lecture series led by STEM experts, gain an in-depth understanding of a topic through directed studies involving mini-courses, receive mentorship, and engage in thoughtful discussions with experts. The program aims to provide opportunities and inspire ethical leadership in STEM and related fields. Along with the academic exploration, you will have the opportunity to participate in informal seminars focused on cooking, juggling, playing ultimate frisbee, and practicing a specific language. You will go on outdoor adventures to West Virginia and Washington, DC, and engage in a range of activities, including rock climbing, backpacking, kayaking, interacting with congressional members, and attending a panel discussion at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
4.Lumiere Research Scholar Program- Physics Track
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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 PhD 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. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6 – July 24
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Grade 9th-11th high school students. More information here
Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is a free, three-week virtual program for high school students. You will have the opportunity to explore the latest physics research in a range of areas, including cosmology, quantum computing, quantum physics, and astrophysics. You will receive guidance and mentorship from Stanford professors, attend lectures, engage in group activities led by undergraduate students at Stanford, and work on physics-based projects by developing and applying Python coding skills. The program also allows you to attend college-planning and career-development workshops.
6. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)
Location: Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Michigan State University
Cost: Free
Dates: July 20 – July 25 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Grade 7th-12th students
Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) is a one-week free program for high school students. You will attend lectures, participate in experiments, and learn the fundamentals and relationships between the extremely small domain of atomic nuclei and the extremely large domain of astrophysics and cosmology. The Facility sponsors the program for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) and allows you to engage in independent experiments in nuclear physics. You will have the opportunity to explore careers, experience college life, and learn from the FRIB faculty, staff, and students through this in-person program.
7. Institute for STEM Education (I-STEM)- Physics Summer Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $650
Dates: July 13 – July 17
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students with a strong interest and background in math and science are encouraged to
Institute for STEM Education (I-STEM)- Physics Summer Program is a one-week learning experience for high school students. You will participate in engaging, hands-on indoor and outdoor activities and go on guided tours of campus facilities and research labs. You'll explore a range of interesting topics, including Electricity, Newtonian mechanics, Quantum mechanics, and light. Every new day will be focused on exploring physics phenomena. You will engage in project designing, building, and testing based on a specific theme for the day. At the conclusion of the program, you will have the opportunity to share your projects and discoveries at a family showcase
8. Los Alamos National Laboratory Summer Physics Camp
Location: New Mexico School for the Arts, Santa Fe, NM
Cost/Stipend: Free; A $350 stipend is paid
Dates: June 8 – June 19
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students living in New Mexico, New Mexico tribal communities, or East Hawaii Island; Must have completed Algebra I or a high-level math course
The Los Alamos National Laboratory Summer Physics Camp is a two-week hands-on learning opportunity for high school students. The camp will allow you to explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). You will work on creative, hands-on projects and have the opportunity to learn from experienced engineers and scientists at Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory. You will participate in problem-solving, develop professional skills like resume writing, and work on hands-on projects while exploring a range of STEM disciplines, including physics, computer programming, chemistry, bioengineering, cybersecurity, and engineering.
9. Rice University – Tapia STEM Camps
Location: Rice University campus, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Early Bird: $2,200 per student; Regular: $2,500 per student.
Dates: Session 1: July 5 – July 10; Session 2: July 12 – July 17; Session 3: July 19 – July 24
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising 8th-12th-grade students
Rice University- Tapia STEM Camps offer a one-week residential learning experience to high school students. You will engage in hands-on challenges, explore various STEM topics, and learn about data centers and their impact, including their water and energy demands. You will participate in building a heat sink through a heat-transfer challenge, and learn the techniques to manage the environmental effects of data centers. You will understand the role of data centers and algorithms in shaping real-world decisions, learn to identify AI-generated videos by applying physics and maths, and learn about the detection and hiding of secret messages in images through algorithms.
10. University of Michigan – Summer Engineering Exploration Camp
Location: University of Michigan campus, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $750; Need-based financial aid available
Dates: July 5 – July 11 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: February 19
Eligibility: Rising 10th-11th-grade high school students
The University of Michigan-Summer Engineering Exploration Camp is a one-week residential learning opportunity for high school students. You will explore a wide range of engineering disciplines, work in teams to solve design challenges, and go on University of Michigan campus and Big House tours. You will participate in team-building and social activities such as time dying and kayaking, interact with students, and hear from the Office of Admissions. The camp, hosted by the Society of Women Engineers at the University of Michigan, offers a great learning opportunity.
11. Memphis Physics and Materials Science Summer Camp
Location: University of Memphis (Manning Hall), Memphis, TN
Cost: $120 registration fee
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: May 22
Eligibility: High school students
The Memphis Physics and Materials Science Summer Camp is a week-long learning opportunity for high school students. You will understand the impact and role of physics, attend interactive sessions, and engage in hands-on activities. You will gain in-depth knowledge about the science behind a range of physics phenomena, including black holes and galaxy formation, computer chips and semiconductor technology, and polymer materials for medical and space applications. The program will allow you to develop valuable skills required in broad career fields.
12. Yale Young Global Scholars – Innovations in Science & Technology
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $7,000; Need-based financial aid available
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 3; Session II: July 5 – July 17; Session III: July 19 – July 31
Application Deadline: Early action: October 15; Regular decision: January 7
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors ages 16-18
Take Young Global Scholars - Innovations in Science & Technology offers a practical learning opportunity for high school students interested in STEM. You will have the opportunity to explore a broad range of scientific disciplines, including physics, psychology, astrology, engineering, chemistry, earth science, neuroscience, biochemistry, and more. You will learn the interdisciplinary applications of scientific fields and develop a range of skills, including critical thinking, teamwork, and analytical thinking. The program will provide you with the training to become an impactful scientist through lectures and seminars on various topics.
13. Experimental Physics Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: $10,050; Scholarships available: More information here
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in late fall
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students
Experimental Physics Research Academy is a three-week residential program for high school students. You will attend lectures, participate in discussions, work on projects, and listen to research talks by Penn faculty members from different specializations in physics. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of topics, including electromagnetism, astrophysics, mechanics, quantum dynamics, kinematics, electricity, nuclear physics, and modern physics. You will develop an understanding of science, ethics, and philosophy, as well as experimental design, and explore careers in the field.
14. University of Chicago – Neubauer Phoenix STEM Scholars
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,500
Dates: July 26 – 31
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Current 11th graders enrolled in U.S. high schools; Minimum age: 15 years
The University of Chicago-Neubauer Phoenix STEM Scholars is a one-week hybrid program for 11th-grade high school students. You will first attend a virtual mathematics course and then move on to the in-person learning experience at UChicago. You will attend model classes, go on facility tours, and learn from UChicago alums and faculty from a range of fields, including physics, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and more. You will explore the latest research and take trips to different locations, including the Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.
15. Northeastern University Exploring Modern Physics Program
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: $7,095
Dates: July 26 – August 7
Application Deadline: Priority: January 15; Regular: February 27
Eligibility: High school students
Northeastern University Exploring Modern Physics is a two-week program for high school students. The program will allow you to attend lectures, listen to guest speakers, and participate in lab experiments. You will have the opportunity to observe cosmic rays through a cloud chamber and use an electronic muon counter to measure their properties. You will gain knowledge about a range of topics, including quantum mechanics, particle physics, relativity, radioactivity, and cosmology. The program is a great opportunity to explore your interests in a future career in physics.
Image source - RICE University