13 Free Physics Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in physics, you can explore summer programs designed specifically for students like you. Summer programs hosted by prestigious institutions or colleges can be a good platform to begin expanding your professional network. Participating in such summer programs provides you with an opportunity to explore the industry, learn from experts, and develop strong skill sets while still in school. You can learn more about your interests and work in a professional lab environment with proper guidance.
Here are 13 free physics summer programs for high school students that you can check out this summer.
13 Free Physics Summer Programs for High School Students
1. MIT: Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 22 – August 2
Application Deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High school juniors; More details here
The RSI program is a competitive summer research program that accepts only 100 students per year. During the program, you will experience a mix of on-campus coursework and off-campus research work in fields like physics, engineering, mathematics, biology, and so on. You will learn about the research process from its inception to completion. You’ll also get to develop a comprehensive research plan, read up on current and scientific literature that’s relevant to your field, and eventually present your research through oral and written reports. Alongside this, you will participate in a research internship under the guidance of MIT scientists and researchers.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Physics Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Up to 100% financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts available, Summer Cohort 1 (June 2 - August 19) and Summer Cohort 2 (July 14 - September 30)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive research program for high school students. During the program, you will get to work with a PhD scholar, who will act as a mentor and offer guidance as you work on a research paper. In Week 1, you meet with your mentor to choose a topic; in Weeks 2–4, you explore the subject and define a research question; in Weeks 5–9, you draft your paper with one-on-one guidance, and the final weeks involve revision and presentation. You can choose research topics from a variety of fields, including physics, data science, international relations, and so much more. Towards the end of the program, you’ll also get to present your paper at the Lumiere Research Symposium.
3. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL): High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Plainsboro Township, NJ
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Paid
Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors (16+), authorised to work in the U.S
The PPPL High School Summer Internship is a competitive program offered to high school students the summer after their senior year. As a participant, you will get to work on a project related to plasma physics and fusion energy alongside a member of the PPPL research or engineering staff. Through this program, you will gain experience operating laboratory equipment and tools, performing simulations, analyzing data, and supporting authentic scientific study. To participate, it’s recommended that students have some experience with a computational project(s) in plasma physics or coding languages like Python or Java.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program – Physics Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; Up to 100% financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year, summer runs for 10 weeks, typically from June - September
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort, end of May for summer
Eligibility: High school students with >3.67/4.0 GPA; Mostly 10th/11th graders accepted; Some tracks have specific prerequisites
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in a wide range of fields, such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and others. It is one of the few programs for high school students that offers the flexibility to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a specific subject track, you will be assigned to a faculty member or PhD scholar who will serve as a mentor throughout the program. You will then be encouraged to develop a 20-page research paper that will be suitable for submission to prestigious academic journals. The program also offers a letter of recommendation for each student and provides detailed project feedback that can be useful for future projects.
5. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: None (except for a $25 application fee); Stipend of $750
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors (17+)
The Clark Scholars Program is a prestigious summer research program, accepting only 12 students per summer. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to engage in a research project across various fields, including physics, mathematics, humanities, and more. You will work alongside distinguished faculty members and learn from leading researchers and industry professionals. This research experience will support your future career development and goals. In addition to your research activities, you will also have the chance to attend weekly seminars, discussions, and field excursions.
6. ASPIRE at APL
Location: Johns Hopkins APL (in-person and virtual)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 6-8 weeks in the summer, typically from June-August
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors (15+) with a GPA of 2.8 minimum; More details here
ASPIRE is a highly selective program for high school students looking for the chance to explore a career in STEM before committing to one. During the program, you will work on projects under the guidance of APL staff mentors and pick up on the important technical and interpersonal skills you would need in a professional environment. This program encourages you to work independently, tackle and solve challenges, think outside the box, and communicate effectively. While applying, you may choose two areas of interest and up to three project types, such as coding, lab work, design, defense, public relations, social impact, hardware, or theoretical research, to help match you with suitable projects.
7. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Various AFRL sites across the country
Cost/Stipend: None; Stipend amount varies
Dates: Varies by project, 8-12 weeks during summer
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: U.S. upper high school students (16-18) with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; More info here
The AFRL Scholars Program is open to both university and high school students, giving you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a field of your choice, including but not limited to physics. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with full-time AFRL scientists and engineers on research projects while gaining exposure to cutting-edge technology and innovations. You may select your internship based on your area of interest in the research topic; you’re also welcome to apply to multiple opportunities. For high schoolers seeking free physics summer programs, this is a strong option.
8. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various DoN laboratories across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: None; Stipend of $4,000 – $4,500
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: U.S. rising 10th graders to graduating 12th graders (16+)
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a competitive program that provides high school students with the opportunity to engage in naval research. As a participant, you will be assigned to a Department of the Navy (DoN) laboratory, where you can explore naval technology and research under the guidance of experienced scientists and engineers. This program allows you to contribute to impactful STEM research. You’ll also get to explore potential career paths within DoN science and engineering and benefit from DoN research and development opportunities.
9. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote/Hybrid/ In-person formats, In-person and hybrid internships take place at GMU’s Science and Technology Campus (Manassas, VA), Potomac Science Center (Woodbridge, VA), or Fairfax Campus (Fairfax, VA).
Cost/Stipend: None; $25 application fee (can be waived based on financial need)
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ for the remote internships or 16+ for the "wet-lab" in-person or hybrid internships
ASSIP provides research opportunities for high school and undergraduate students. Throughout the program, you will have the chance to work one-on-one with industry professionals from George Mason University and other institutions. You will gain experience with advanced equipment and technologies, as well as develop essential scientific writing and communication skills. Additionally, you will have opportunities to attend meetings and forums led by industry professionals and role models, providing insight into various STEM career paths. You may also have the chance to collaborate on research projects with mentors, and potentially have your work published or presented at scientific conferences.
10. NASA (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Virtual + in-person at various NASA centers
Cost/Stipend: Varies; Paid and unpaid internships available
Dates: Vary by internship; summer internships run for 10 weeks, while spring and fall sessions last 16 weeks.
Application Deadline: The Upcoming deadline is February 27
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (16+) with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
NASA offers hands-on internships for high school students in various fields, including physics, engineering, humanities, business, and more. As a participant, you will get to work alongside NASA engineers, research scientists, and staff on projects that contribute to NASA’s mission of space exploration. You will have the opportunity to gain valuable job experience, enhance your resume, and determine your future career direction. Additionally, there may be potential to re-engage with a career at NASA in the future.
11. Physics of Atomic Nuclei
Location: Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost/Stipend: None, rooms and board included
Dates: July 20 – July 25
Application Deadline: Early December – early March
Eligibility: U.S. high school students
During the Physics of Atomic Nuclei program, you will explore the fundamentals of atomic nuclei and their connections to astrophysics and cosmology. As a participant, you will gain valuable insight into how research is conducted at a leading rare-isotope laboratory and will have the opportunity to participate in nuclear physics experiments. You will explore topics such as astrophysics, precision measurement, and nuclear science, along with various career opportunities available in the field of science. You’ll also get to work under scientists and researchers and network with industry professionals.
12. Summer Science Program: Astrophysics
Location: Various colleges
Cost/Stipend: Varies by family income (Up to 100% financial aid offered); Limited $3,000 stipends offered
Dates: Multiple 5-week sessions; Varies by location
Application Deadline: January 24 (international) & February 21 (domestic)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (15-18) who have completed courses in physics and precalculus
The Summer Science Program is a prestigious residential STEM program offering several tracks, including Astrophysics. During the program, you will spend five weeks on the campus of a university recognized for its research excellence. In the Astrophysics track, you will learn about space exploration and celestial bodies through the lens of calculus, astrophysics, and scientific programming. You’ll also get to work on your own research, learn to use essential technology like telescopes, and develop obser
13. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics(SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: May 1 (tentative)
Eligibility: 9th-11th graders of all genders; Preference given to rising seniors from under-resourced or underrepresented backgrounds
The Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is an online program designed for high school students with an interest in physics. During the program, you will learn about topics like astrophysics, quantum physics, quantum computing, and more. No prior knowledge of physics or coding is required to participate, as Python will be introduced during the program. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to apply your coding skills to physics-related projects. You’ll attend lectures led by Stanford professors and researchers, work in groups, and participate in career development and college planning workshops. Here is the syllabus of the program.
The Summer Science Program is a prestigious residential STEM program offering several tracks, including Astrophysics. During the program, you will spend five weeks on the campus of a university recognized for its research excellence. In the Astrophysics track, you will learn about space exploration and celestial bodies through the lens of calculus, astrophysics, and scientific programming. You’ll also get to work on your own research, learn to use essential technology like telescopes, and develop observation skills. You’ll also meet and work with renowned astrophysicists and planetary scientists.
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