14 Free Programs for High School Students in Seattle
As a high school student, structured programs can help you explore academic interests beyond your regular school curriculum while building skills through research, workshops, and collaborative projects. Many of these opportunities introduce you to fields such as STEM, environmental science, healthcare, public policy, and technology while also providing access to mentors, researchers, and professional learning environments. Since these programs are free or fully funded, they can make academic enrichment and career exploration more accessible to a wider range of high school students.
Why should you attend a program in Seattle?
Seattle is home to universities, research centers, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations that offer programs for high school students across a wide range of subjects. Depending on the program, you can explore biomedical research, computer science, environmental conservation, engineering, or public health through lab work, internships, coding projects, and mentorship opportunities. These opportunities can be worth considering, whether you are a Seattle student looking for programs nearby or an out-of-state student interested in exploring programs in a research- and technology-focused environment.
To help you get started, we have narrowed down a list of 14 free programs for high school students in Seattle.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, who are entering their senior year and are residing in the Greater Seattle area
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application deadline: March 13
SHIP at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an eight-week, paid research internship for students interested in biomedical science. The program begins with two weeks of training in laboratory safety, research techniques, and an introduction to the institute’s work, followed by six weeks of mentored research in a Fred Hutch lab. You will work in pairs within research groups, gaining hands-on experience while learning how scientific studies are designed and conducted. In addition to lab work, you will attend research seminars, professional development workshops focused on college and careers, and community activities with fellow interns. The program concludes with a final event, where you will present your research to the Fred Hutch community, family, and peers.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase accepts previous AI Scholars participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; deadlines vary by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can check details and apply to the program here.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers a range of online programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will learn about the fundamentals of AI and data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another track for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. During this program, you will get the chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A key feature of this program is that it offers you access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Seattle Children’s Research Institute Research Training Program (RTP)
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~24 students/year
Eligibility: Current 10th- and 11th-grade students who can commute to downtown Seattle
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application deadline: March 8
RTP at Seattle Children’s Research Institute is a four-week, in-person summer program that introduces high school students to laboratory research in the biological sciences. Designed for students with little or no prior research experience, the program combines lectures, hands-on lab sessions, and workshops on college and career pathways in science. You will learn foundational techniques used in biomedical research while exploring topics such as biochemistry, immunology, gene editing, and infectious diseases. Lab tours are part of the experience. You will also complete an independent research project and present your findings at the end of the program.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation’s Breakthrough Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Fully funded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Eligibility: Students in high school and those planning to enroll as freshmen in college in the fall; applicants must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
Dates: Vary by cohort; multiple 12-week sessions throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Spring: January | Summer: May | Fall: September | Winter: November. You can check details and apply here.
The Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program is the equivalent of the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. In the flagship program, talented high-school students are paired with world-class Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you will develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as physics, chemistry, economics, psychology, data science, computer science, engineering, international relations, and more.
5. Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) High School Intern Programs
Location: Institute for Systems Biology labs, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid and unpaid positions available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 4 – 10 students/year
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: March 11
This eight-week in-person summer internship at ISB lets you work on a real research project in a current ISB lab, supervised by a research mentor. Possible project topics include computational biology, cancer, microbiology, infectious disease, the microbiome, immune system diversity, aging, and engineering laboratory systems, among others. You will work up to 40 hours per week, applying concepts from systems biology to your assigned research project, while also building skills in science, math, coding, engineering, and leadership, depending on the project focus. Alongside research, you will interact with ISB professionals to learn about their career paths, build a website documenting your project and experience, and potentially contribute to school-based science curriculum development. Most projects are hosted in the Baliga Lab, though placements in other ISB labs are also available.
6. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Opportunities throughout the U.S., including in Seattle, WA; mentors assigned in your area within a 45-minute distance from your home.
Cost/Stipend: free; $3,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort each year
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen who are at least 16 years old and live in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates are flexible.
Application deadline: January 25
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, offers internships to high school students interested in learning about fisheries and aquatic science. As a Hutton Scholar, you will work under the mentorship of fisheries professionals on projects focusing on habitat restoration, protection, and management. You will learn about the life of a fisheries biologist and other career paths in the animal and aquatic sciences. Additionally, you will spend time in office or field environments, working on tasks such as examining aquatic specimens, conducting surveys to track fish populations, electrofishing, and processing data. You may get to present your project at the end of the internship.
7. University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering Changemakers in Computing (CiC)
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,200 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Eligibility: Washington State high school students currently in grades 10 and 11
Dates: July 6 – 30
Application deadline: April 1
Changemakers in Computing (CiC) is a free summer program hosted by the University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering that introduces high school students to computing through the lens of technology, society, and social impact. You will work in small groups led by UW undergraduate mentors and build coding skills through project-based activities that explore how computing can address real-world challenges. In the process, you will also learn about different areas within computer science, receive guidance on future academics in technology, and build a network of peers and mentors. The program also offers exposure to college-level learning environments. The program is designed to support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and those who may be the first in their families to attend college.
8. Seattle Youth Employment Program (SYEP): Internships
Location: Various sites in Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internship ($21.30/hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 250 students/year
Eligibility: Youth, ages 16 – 24, living in Seattle or attending Seattle Public Schools/Seattle Colleges; applicants must live in a household with income at or below 80% Area Median Income
Dates: July 6 – August 18
Application deadline: May 4
SYEP is a workforce development initiative run by the City of Seattle that provides young people with paid work experience, career exploration opportunities, and professional mentorship. One of the key SYEP offerings is the summer Internship Program, which places you in professional roles with city departments, local businesses, and nonprofit organizations to gain hands-on experience while building practical workplace skills. You will also receive pre-employment training and mentorship to help you navigate career pathways and strengthen your résumés. In addition to the internship track, SYEP also offers two school-year pathways: Learn & Earn: Foundations and Learn & Earn: Pathways, where you can build career skills, explore professional interests, and receive stipends while participating in training and career development activities.
9. University of Washington Engineering Academy
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors studying in the Greater Seattle area
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open in March.
Engineering Academy is a one-week summer program hosted by the University of Washington that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of engineering through hands-on activities and design challenges. Designed especially for students with limited prior exposure to engineering coursework or extracurricular opportunities, the program provides a broad overview of engineering pathways while helping participants build foundational problem-solving skills. You will engage in collaborative projects, interact with engineering faculty and university students, and learn how different engineering disciplines address real-world challenges. The program also includes opportunities to explore the University of Washington campus and see what studying engineering in college looks like.
10. Seattle Aquarium Youth Ocean Advocates (YOA)
Location: Seattle Aquarium, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; 140+ YOA active in the program
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12 in the Puget Sound region
Dates: Late June – early September; school-year opportunities are also available.
Application deadline: Not specified; interest form typically opens in January for the summer session.
YOA is a volunteer program at the Seattle Aquarium that invites high school students to work on activities focused on marine conservation, education, and community advocacy. You will spend the summer learning about ocean ecosystems and environmental protection, helping educate aquarium visitors, and contributing to conservation initiatives such as beach cleanups, tree plantings, and community science projects. You can join different tiers of the program (Tides, Currents, and Breakers) depending on your preferred level of involvement, with opportunities ranging from educational meetups to hands-on interpretation and specialized conservation projects. You will also gain exposure to marine science careers and develop communication and leadership skills while working alongside peers and conservation professionals.
11. Port of Seattle High School Internship Program
Location: Port of Seattle facilities, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 and up, currently enrolled in high school, recent graduates, or students in a GED program
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application deadline: Not specified; applications typically open in May
The Port of Seattle offers paid summer internships that allow students to gain real-world professional experience while working on projects that impact the region’s economy and communities. You will be placed in departments across the organization, exploring career areas such as aviation operations, maritime operations, community engagement, governance, and sustainability-focused green jobs. In addition to contributing to real projects, you will develop workplace skills through mentorship, professional development workshops, and career exploration activities such as facility tours, networking sessions, and resume-building workshops. The program is designed to help you build confidence in a professional environment and learn about careers connected to Seattle’s aviation and maritime industries.
12. King County Parks Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)
Location: TAF Bethaday Community Learning Space/Westhill Community Center, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free; paid internship (wage not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; 22 students in the past cohort
Eligibility: King County high school students, ages 15 and up, entering grades 10 – 12
Dates: July 7 – August 13 (Fridays and weekends off; Thursdays virtual)
Application deadline: April 27
This six-week paid summer internship run by King County Parks places you in roles where you will explore parks and the environment. You will participate in field trips and workshops learning about food justice, water quality, native plant identification, climate and environmental justice, trail building, wetlands, and career skills. Every Wednesday, you will join peers for a hands-on ecological restoration project in a King County Park, removing invasive weeds, spreading wood chips, or developing a planting plan. Thursdays are virtual, focused on an independent creative project you get to develop throughout the summer based on your learning. You will also find opportunities to network with Parks staff, community leaders, and local environmental professionals through site visits and partner organization meetings. Discussions about the intersections of race and the environment are built into the curriculum.
13. South Seattle College Running Start Program
Location: North, Central, and South Seattle Colleges in Seattle, WA
Cost: Free tuition (students may need to cover some fees, books, or transportation)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in Washington State schools
Dates: Courses follow the community college academic calendar; summer classes available
Application deadline: Varies by college and academic term
The Running Start program allows high school juniors and seniors in Washington State to take college-level courses at local community and technical colleges while still completing their high school education. Through this dual-enrollment opportunity, you can earn both high school and college credit at the same time, progressing toward graduation while getting an early start on your college coursework. You will attend classes alongside college students and explore a wide range of academic subjects depending on your interests and goals. Through Running Start, you can experience college academics, reduce future college tuition costs, or even accelerate your degree pathways.
14. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center’s Coding for Cancer
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 award given to participants upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11 and 12 in the fall; Washington State residents are preferred.
Dates: July 27 – August 21
Application deadline: March 29 (application); April 5 (teacher recommendation)
This free, four-week virtual program run by the Seattle-based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is designed to help you learn the R programming language and explore how coding is used in cancer biology research. The first half of the program covers coding basics and cancer biology through small-group and individual activities, while the second half is dedicated to your own research project. You will build coding skills, learn about computational research, and work with tools researchers use. The program is led by Fred Hutch postdoctoral fellows in computational biology. Upon completing the program, you will receive a $1,000 award and a digital Credly badge you can use to showcase your work.