15 Free STEM Camps for High School Students
STEM camps can help you explore subjects like artificial intelligence, neuroscience, engineering, and data science outside of your regular school curriculum. These camps often combine guided instruction with projects, experiments, and collaborative activities that introduce you to how STEM concepts are applied in academic and professional settings. Since many programs are fully funded or offer financial aid, they can make STEM learning opportunities more accessible while allowing you to explore different interests alongside students with similar goals.
How are STEM camps different from other programs in high school?
Unlike longer academic programs or internships, STEM camps are typically shorter, more focused experiences that allow you to explore a specific topic within a few days or weeks. Instead of broad coursework, STEM camps emphasize projects and applied learning, such as building a self-driving car using machine learning, analyzing data with programming tools like R, or solving a simulated crime using forensic science techniques. Many camps also include lab work, mentorship, field visits, or collaborative projects that mirror real STEM environments. This structure allows you to quickly develop new skills while testing your interest in a subject without a long-term commitment.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve curated a list of 15 free STEM camps for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. SAGE Camp at SLAC
Location: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA & Stanford University, Paolo Alto, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 21 – 27
Application Deadline: February 24 – March 17
Eligibility: High school students from all backgrounds
SAGE Camp at SLAC is a one-week residential program that offers you the opportunity to explore a wide range of STEM careers through interactive, interdisciplinary experiences. During the camp, you will learn how science and technology intersect with fields like art, communication, and global problem-solving. You will also engage with STEM professionals from the Department of Energy National Laboratories and gain insights into the various career paths and real-world applications of research. The program also offers a platform for collaborative discussions and activities that help you reflect on your interests and future goals while connecting you with peers from diverse backgrounds.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants must have prior experience in AI concepts or Python, or have completed the AI Scholars program
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, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them 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, Huttonsville, WV
Cost: Free
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 19 – March 30; Extended to April 11 (applicable for certain states)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with documented academic proficiency; More info here
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a fully funded residential program where you will engage in a wide range of STEAM experiences while living in the Monongahela National Forest. During the camp, you will attend daily lectures by leading STEM professionals, gaining exposure to current research and innovations across multiple fields. You will also participate in directed studies, which function as small-group, mentorship-driven sessions that allow you to explore specific topics in greater depth. The program will involve interactive seminars, collaborative learning experiences, and opportunities to engage in both scientific and creative activities. In addition to academic exploration, you will take part in outdoor adventures such as hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking, along with a visit to Washington, D.C., for educational and cultural experiences.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Current high school students or recent high school graduates with a high level of academic achievement
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’ll develop an independent research paper. You can choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. This program is a solid option if you are interested in interdisciplinary research and want to create an individual research paper.
5. NeuroCamp Summer High School Program
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 18; Session 2: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: April 19
Eligibility: High school students from the Los Angeles area
The NeuroCamp Summer High School Program is a short-term, non-residential program that introduces you to the fundamentals of neuroscience through structured instruction and hands-on learning. During the program, you will explore key areas of molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology, and neuroanatomy while gaining exposure to basic laboratory techniques. You will be engaged in guided sessions that help you understand how neuroscience research is conducted and applied in real-world contexts. The program will also involve collaborative learning with a small cohort of peers, allowing for focused discussions and interaction with instructors. You will gain insight into academic pathways and careers in neuroscience and related scientific fields.
6. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC Museum, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – 26, July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Not specified; Typically opens in January
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors (16+)
CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp (DDC) is an academically rigorous summer program hosted by the CDC Museum. It offers an immersive introduction to the science behind disease prevention, outbreak response, and population health. Throughout the camp, you will work alongside CDC professionals as you explore how public health experts investigate and respond to real-world health challenges. The program covers a wide range of interdisciplinary public health topics, including environmental health, emergency preparedness, global health, injury and violence prevention, school wellness, public health communication, and public health law. You will engage in hands-on learning through activities like outbreak investigations, mock press conferences, laboratory sessions, and chronic disease surveillance exercises. You will also attend lectures by CDC scientists and public health experts, and collaborate with peers on various activities.
7. Purdue University Northwest: Forensic Science Summer Camp
Location: Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, IN
Cost: Free
Dates: June 15 – 19
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 14 and 17
The Purdue University Northwest Forensic Science Summer Camp is a week-long program where you will explore how scientific methods are applied in criminal investigations. During the camp, you will be engaged in a simulated crime-solving experience, where you will process a crime scene and collect physical evidence. You will then learn and apply laboratory techniques to analyze evidence, gaining hands-on experience with forensic science practices. The program will involve step-by-step investigative work, allowing you to connect scientific concepts with real-world legal applications. You will also develop skills in observation, critical thinking, and data analysis as you work through the case.
8. Rice Neuroscience Society NeuroCamp
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX + Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Virtual: July 18 – 19; In-person: August 1 – 2
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High school students; In-person program limited to students in the greater Houston area, while the virtual program is open to international students
RNS NeuroCamp is a short-term program that introduces you to core concepts in neuroscience through a mix of interactive learning and hands-on experiences. During the camp, you will learn about topics such as neurons, neurotransmission, neurological diseases, and neuroanatomy through lectures, discussions, and basic lab activities. You will also engage in introductory bench science experiments that help you understand how neuroscience research is conducted. The program offers mentorship opportunities, where you will gain exposure to STEM-related skills and general professional development through sessions with university representatives. You will also receive guidance on academic pathways, including how to prepare for undergraduate science programs.
9. Data Science in Action: Machine Learning for Self-Driving Cars
Location: Countway Library, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Online self-paced component: June 29 – July 3; In-person project: July 6 – July 17
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students with basic knowledge of algebra; Students from low-income backgrounds are encouraged
The Data Science in Action program is a project-based summer camp where you will learn the fundamentals of machine learning and programming through hands-on applications. During the program, you will be introduced to key concepts in statistics, machine learning, and Python programming, and apply them to real-world scenarios. You will work in teams on coding exercises that progress from basic programming tasks to building image classification models. As part of the camp, you will develop and train your own neural network to recognize objects, and then apply it to program a self-driving toy car. The program also includes mentorship and interaction with data science professionals from academia and industry, giving you insight into career pathways in the field.
10. Carnegie Mellon University: Statistics & Data Science Camp
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend provided
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas
The Statistics & Data Science Camp is a one-week program that introduces you to how data is collected, analyzed, and interpreted to understand the world around you. You will learn the fundamentals of statistics and data science through a combination of presentations and hands-on computer labs and be engaged in practical exercises using R, allowing you to sharpen your ability to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions. The program will also include a field visit to a company that applies data science in real-world settings. Throughout the week, you will explore potential career pathways and learn how to prepare for further study in these fields, ensuring a combination of foundational learning, hands-on coding experience, and real-world exposure.
11. MHC Golden Bear Summer Camp
Location: Western New England University, Springfield, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – June 26
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served; First 35 students to apply accepted
Eligibility: High school students ages 13-18 interested in healthcare, pharmacy, or neuroscience fields
The WNE-MHC Golden Bear Summer Camp is a one-week program that introduces you to a variety of healthcare and science-related fields through a mix of lab work, demonstrations, and interactive sessions. Over the course of the camp, you will explore areas such as pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, occupational therapy, and neuroscience, gaining a clearer understanding of how these disciplines connect in real-world healthcare settings. You will take part in hands-on activities such as DNA extraction and medication-related experiments, while also learning how professionals work in both community and hospital settings. The program also incorporates discussions on career pathways and college preparation, helping you understand what it takes to pursue studies in health sciences.Alongside technical exposure, you will gain insight into how biology, chemistry, and psychology intersect in modern healthcare.
12. Inspiring Future Scientists Through Shadowing
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 15 – 26
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (16+) who reside in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, or San Mateo counties
The Inspiring Future Scientists Through Shadowing (IFSS) program offers a two-week experience in which you will explore chemical research by directly observing scientists at work, rather than conducting an independent project. Throughout the program, you will shadow multiple graduate students in a university chemistry department, giving you exposure to a wide range of research topics and laboratory techniques. This approach allows you to see how different areas of chemistry are studied in real-world academic settings, while also allowing you to ask questions and engage in discussions with researchers. You will also gain insight into what studying chemistry at the university level entails and how research environments operate day-to-day.
13. Kode with Klossy
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. + Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions between June 1 and August 4
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Girls, gender non-conforming, and trans students aged 13-18
Kode With Klossy Summer Camps are two-week coding intensives where you will build foundational programming skills while exploring real-world applications of technology. Depending on the track you choose, you will work with tools like Python, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to develop projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, or web development. Throughout the program, you will apply concepts such as machine learning, data analysis, and user experience design through hands-on projects, including building chatbots and creating data visualizations. The camp is designed to be beginner-friendly, so you can participate even without prior coding experience. You will also collaborate with peers and receive guidance from instructors and teaching assistants, creating a supportive learning environment.
14. MIT Women’s Technology Program: Mechanical Engineering
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for students with a family income <$120,000
Dates: June 27 – July 25
Application Deadline: October – December 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors interested in engineering
The Women’s Technology Program offers an immersive introduction to mechanical engineering through a four-week residential experience on MIT’s campus. Designed primarily for rising seniors who excel in math and science, the program combines hands-on engineering projects, collaborative problem-solving, and mentorship from MIT undergraduate and graduate students. Throughout the program, you will explore a wide range of engineering concepts through active, project-based coursework rather than traditional lectures. Topics include electronics and circuits, computer-aided design (CAD), programming, structures, heat transfer, manufacturing, robotics, and mechanics. You will apply these concepts through practical engineering challenges such as building foam cranes, constructing circuits, creating CAD models, and designing a Rube Goldberg machine as a final capstone project. Beyond coursework, you will participate in workshops, lab tours, and engineering showcases, and work closely with MIT mentors on poster projects that connect engineering to topics such as sustainability, art, healthcare, or disaster relief.
15. NYU Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York City, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current 10th-11th graders residing in NYC, NJ, and Nassau counties
NYU’s CS4CS program introduces you to the world of cybersecurity through a structured and hands-on learning experience at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Over the course of the program, you will explore topics such as digital forensics, cryptography, steganography, and ethical hacking, gaining insight into how security systems are designed and tested. You will learn from university faculty and graduate students and engage in practical exercises that help you understand how cyber threats are identified and addressed. The program is designed to be accessible, so you can participate without prior experience in computer science or cybersecurity. Alongside technical learning, you will be part of an environment that emphasizes inclusion and aims to broaden participation in STEM fields.