15 Biology Camps for High School Students
Biology camps can be a strong option if you’re a high school student who’s curious about medicine, marine science, bioengineering, or research. Instead of just reading about concepts in class, you get to practice skills like lab techniques, field data collection, clinical simulations, or research analysis. You might find yourself using lab equipment, conducting ecological surveys, shadowing clinicians, or presenting a final project.
How are camps different from other programs in high school?
Camps are usually shorter and more focused than year-long extracurriculars or semester-long courses. Most run for 1 to 3 weeks and focus on a specific theme, such as marine biology fieldwork, biomedical research, clinical medicine, or biotechnology. During that time, you might complete a guided research project, practice lab techniques like PCR or genetic analysis, participate in clinical skills workshops, or conduct field studies collecting real data.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 biology camps for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: Atlanta, GA (CDC Headquarters)
Cost: No cost
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 27 slots per camp
Program Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students, the summer before junior or senior year; must be at least 16 years old on the first day of the session
At the CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp, you spend your days at CDC headquarters learning how public health professionals investigate and respond to health issues. The program is academically demanding and fast-paced, with sessions covering topics such as infectious disease, epidemiology, environmental health, injury prevention, public health law, emergency preparedness, and global health. You’ll be immersed in the broader field of public health, learning how different disciplines work together to investigate outbreaks and protect communities. Activities are collaborative, and you’re expected to work closely with peers as a team of “disease detectives.”
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students
In this 10-week program, you’ll explore how artificial intelligence is used in real healthcare settings. The course combines expert-led lectures, programming notebooks, and hands-on projects, so you’re not just learning concepts but actually applying them. You’ll build and test AI and machine learning models to diagnose diseases, analyze medical imaging, and interpret results in ways that could support clinical decision-making. Along the way, you’ll also look at how AI connects to genomics, hospital operations, drug discovery, and neuroscience. Faculty affiliated with institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Princeton contribute to the learning experience through lectures and guidance. If you’re already interested in both computer science and medicine, this gives you a structured way to explore that intersection and produce concrete projects you can discuss in college applications.
3. Biomedical Sciences STEM Camp – University of Illinois College of Medicine (Rockford)
Location: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not provided
Program Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: High school students age 16+; only students from designated local high schools are eligible (see program page for full list)
This week-long camp introduces you to medical research and biomedical sciences through a mix of classroom lessons and hands-on activities. You’ll learn how researchers study disease and develop treatments, including both medications and medical technologies. Throughout the week, you’ll spend time in university research facilities, observe demonstrations of biotechnology equipment used in medical research, and participate in structured activities tied to real-world biomedical topics. You’ll also talk directly with medical school staff about academic and industry career paths, which can help you start thinking about college majors and long-term goals. Because the camp is free and hosted by a medical school, it offers accessible exposure to research environments that many students do not see until college.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Medicine Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Program Dates: Varies by cohort; summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic record
In this 12-week research program, you’ll work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to design and complete an independent research project in medicine or a related field like neuroscience, health science, or life sciences. Instead of sitting in large lectures, you’ll meet individually with your mentor, read academic literature, refine a research question, and gradually build toward a final paper. By the end of the program, you’ll have produced an independent research paper that reflects your own ideas and analysis. Because it is highly selective, you should expect a serious academic workload and regular mentor feedback. You can apply here.
5. Neuroscience Camp – Drexel University College of Medicine
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA (Queen Lane Campus)
Cost: $2,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; admission is competitive
Program Dates: July 20 – 31
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a background in biology, chemistry, or research; transcripts and two letters of recommendation required
At Drexel’s Neuroscience Camp, you spend two weeks learning core concepts in neuroscience while working directly in a lab setting. Mornings typically include lectures from faculty and senior graduate students on topics such as neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, neuropathology, and brain-machine interfacing, followed by afternoon lab sessions in which you practice molecular neurobiology techniques and data analysis. You’ll also receive guidance on literature searching and on how to present a scientific project, which mirrors the structure of real academic research training. The camp includes live recordings of brain activity and small-group lab projects, giving you hands-on exposure to neuroscience methods rather than just classroom instruction. It is a non-residential program, with daily sessions running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and field trips to local science institutions are built into the schedule.
6. Biotechnology Mini Summer School – Penn State Office of Science Outreach
Location: University Park, PA (exact locations shared with registrants two weeks before camp)
Cost: $335
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; application required
Program Dates: July 27 – 30
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Ages 14–17
During the Biotechnology Mini Summer School, you'll spend four days in a graduate-level biotech training lab at Penn State, engaging in practical wet-lab experiments. You’ll learn essential techniques such as DNA cloning and PCR amplification, which are vital tools in contemporary molecular biology. In addition to hands-on lab work, you’ll hear from scientists and industry experts in biopharmaceutical, agricultural, and environmental biotechnology, giving you insight into how these methods are applied beyond academia. This is a short, skills-focused program in which you actively practice core biotechnology techniques rather than just observe demonstrations.
7. Engineering in Health and Medicine Camp (Biomedical Engineering) – The College of New Jersey
Location: The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
Cost: $2,000 plus $39 non-refundable application fee; no financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; seats are limited, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
Program Dates: July 19 – 24 (arrival July 19)
Application Deadline: Rolling until full; application portal opens February 9
Eligibility: High school students in the top 30% of their class who have completed at least one year of high school math and science; teacher recommendation required
At TCNJ’s Engineering in Health and Medicine Camp, you spend a full week on campus exploring how engineering connects to medicine and healthcare. You’ll work with biomedical engineering faculty and students on projects that can include medical imaging, drug delivery, medical device design, and neural engineering. This camp is structured as an immersive, on-campus experience where you’re expected to engage seriously with engineering concepts rather than just observe demonstrations.
8. Marine Biology Camp – Roger Williams University
Location: Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI
Cost: $2,195; $500 deposit due with application (refundable through April 1); limited scholarships available for students eligible for free or reduced lunch
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 18 students per session
Program Dates: Five sessions: July 5 – 11; July 12 – 18; July 19 – 25; July 26 – August 1; August 2 – 8
Application Deadline: Not specified; registration open until sessions fill
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; rising sophomores admitted if space permits
At RWU’s Marine Biology Camp, the southern New England coastline serves as a classroom. Throughout the week, you'll kayak in bay ecosystems, snorkel in tidal pools, learn oceanographic sampling methods, and go on a whale watch off Cape Cod. These hands-on activities are complemented by lab work in a 3,000 sq. ft. wet lab with flowing seawater, where you might examine plankton, study shellfish and seaweed biology, or analyze nutrient productivity. Enrollment is capped at 18 students per session, which means you’ll get close supervision from faculty, resident assistants, and guest scientists throughout the week. You’ll live in campus housing, eat in the dining hall, and be supervised 24 hours a day, making it a fully immersive residential experience.
9. Challenge to Excellence – Southern Illinois University
Location: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Cost: Commuter: $480 | Residential: $595
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; recommended that students score at or above the 90th percentile on math, science, and or language arts achievement tests, though all students up for a challenge are welcome
Program Dates: June 7 – 12 (9th–12th grade session)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 6th–12th-grade students
Challenge to Excellence is a long-running academic summer camp that offers short, intensive courses in subjects such as math, art, psychology, drama, and biology. During the week, your days are structured around supervised classes and activities led by teachers and staff from the STEM Education Research Center, the College of Education and Human Services, and the College of Engineering. You can choose to attend as a commuter during the day or stay overnight in the residential option, with meals and recreational programming included Monday through Friday. The academic program is designed to push you toward higher-level thinking and creative problem-solving across a range of disciplines, not just STEM. While a 90th percentile test score is recommended, the camp welcomes students who are ready to be challenged.
10. MD Camp – The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Location: Columbus, OH (The Ohio State University College of Medicine); day camp
Cost: $325; full and partial scholarships available based on financial need and application quality
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 8 – 26 (weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; June 19 off)
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are Ohio residents; recommended minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.3 math and science GPA; two letters of recommendation required
MD Camp is a three-week intensive day program designed to give you a realistic look at medical school and clinical practice. You’ll attend lectures from medical school faculty on topics ranging from anatomy and heart disease to medical ethics and health disparities, then apply what you learn through problem-based learning case discussions. The program also includes clinical workshops where you practice skills such as suturing, phlebotomy, intubation, and taking patient histories, as well as hospital shadowing in specialties such as pediatrics and internal medicine. By the end of camp, you’ll complete a clinical skills assessment where you evaluate and treat a standardized patient using knowledge gained from lectures and workshops. You’ll also be introduced to medical research and learn how to read and analyze scientific papers, plus participate in a community service project.
11. Power of Bioengineering Camp
Location: Urbana, IL (Residential at ISR or Commuter)
Cost/Stipend: Residential $1,500 | Commuter $750 | scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 19 – 25
Application Deadline: Not specified; application currently open
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th-grade students
At the Power of Bioengineering Camp, you spend a week exploring how engineering principles are applied to medicine and biology. The program combines formal lectures with hands-on lab activities where you might track motion, investigate cellular regeneration, build neuroprosthetics, or explore biophotonics. You’ll learn how biological systems function and how engineers design medical devices, therapeutics, and other solutions to real-world health challenges. The camp is offered in both residential and commuter formats and is part of a broader initiative to expand participation in STEM fields. This is a structured introduction to bioengineering where you actively work through lab-based projects rather than just listening to presentations.
12. Marine Biology Camp for High School Students – Seacoast Science Center
Location: Rye, NH (Odiorne Point State Park)
Cost: $475 (member); $525 (non-member); 3% credit card processing fee applies; limited scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited to 12 students per session
Program Dates: Session A: June 22 – 26 | Session B: August 3 – 7
Application Deadline: Registration opens January 11; closes when full
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
At the Seacoast Science Center’s Marine Biology Camp, you spend five full days conducting hands-on marine science in the field. You’ll collect and identify fish offshore, study crustaceans and echinoderms up close, test water quality, and participate in tide pool and ocean plastics research. Exploration activities such as kayaking or snorkeling are built into the week, and you may visit the UNH Marine Lab or take a boat trip in the Gulf of Maine. All gear is provided, and the daily schedule runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. With enrollment capped at just 12 students, the experience is small and field-intensive, giving you direct involvement in data collection rather than passive observation.
13. Careers in Healthcare and Medicine – Hofstra University (Precollegiate Academy)
Location: Hempstead, NY
Cost: $735 (early tuition) per week; additional transportation fee applies
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: August 10 – 14
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
This one-week, full-day program introduces you to a wide range of healthcare fields through workshops, simulations, and advising sessions. Part of each day focuses on college and pre-health advising, where you’ll learn about the college application process, health professions admissions, and how to find research or community-based experiences. The rest of the program rotates through hands-on sessions in areas such as physician assistant studies, nursing, audiology, cardiovascular science, physical therapy, exercise science, and community health. Activities may include practicing patient intake, observing demonstrations of hearing technology, working through clinical case studies, and participating in CPR workshops. Since you’re exposed to multiple health professions in a single week, the camp is structured more as career exploration than deep specialization in one field.
14. Marine Biology Adventure Camp – Sail Caribbean
Location: British Virgin Islands (liveaboard sailing program)
Cost: Varies by program; approximately $6,095 – $8,195 depending on session length and focus (transportation and optional fees not included)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; fleet-based groups by age and program type
Program Dates: Multiple 13-, 14-, and 21-day sessions from early June through mid-August
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment until full
Eligibility: Ages 11–18 (varies by specific adventure); some programs for high school seniors or 18+
Sail Caribbean’s Marine Biology program takes place aboard yachts in the British Virgin Islands, where you live and travel by boat while learning about marine ecosystems. Throughout the trip, you’ll participate in marine science seminars led by instructors with backgrounds in marine research, conservation, and dive training, covering topics such as coral reef ecology, fish identification, shark biology, sea turtles, and ocean conservation. Learning is paired with guided snorkels and scuba dives (depending on the program), ecological surveys, plankton tows, and water-quality data collection in coral reef, mangrove, and seagrass habitats. In more science-focused tracks, such as the Sierra programs, students complete approximately 10–20 hours of dedicated marine science instruction alongside regular sailing activities.
15. Engineering with Biology Camp – Missouri University of Science and Technology
Location: Rolla, MO
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 14 – 18
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Not specified (high school students; see registration form for grade requirements)
At Missouri S&T’s Engineering with Biology Camp, you’ll explore how living organisms can be designed or modified to produce useful chemicals that address scientific and engineering challenges. The program focuses on the intersection of biology and engineering, introducing concepts related to bioengineering and applied life sciences. Over the course of several days on campus, you’ll engage with faculty and staff while participating in structured activities tied to real-world problem solving. The central theme of using biology as a tool for engineering solutions sets it apart from more traditional general science camps.
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