14 Free STEM Programs for High School Students in New York State
If you’re a high school student interested in STEM, structured programs can help you explore different subjects while building skills beyond your regular classes. You might work through projects, learn new concepts, and engage with mentors and peers who share similar interests. Many of these programs are free or offer financial aid, making them more accessible while still allowing you to develop your skills and explore potential academic paths.
Why should you attend a program in New York State?
New York State is home to universities, research centers, and organizations that offer STEM programs across a range of subject areas. Depending on the program, you might take part in research, engineering projects, or coding workshops while developing relevant skills. These opportunities can be worth considering, whether you are a local student looking for options nearby or an out-of-state student interested in exploring programs in a new academic environment.
In this list, we have narrowed down 14 free STEM programs for high school students in New York State.
If you’re looking for programs in New York State, check out our blog here.
1. ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; $2,000 stipend upon successful completion
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools
ARISE is a 10-week summer research program that combines structured training with hands-on lab experience at NYU. In the first four weeks, you’ll build a foundation through workshops on research methods, safety, and college-level writing before transitioning into full-time lab work. You’ll also be placed in one of several NYU research labs, where you assist faculty and researchers on ongoing projects and gain direct exposure to how academic research operates. Along the way, you’ll develop practical skills such as data analysis, scientific communication, and public speaking, while also working closely with mentors and peers. The program concludes with a formal presentation of your work, including opportunities to showcase your research to the broader academic community.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines across cohorts. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; no prior AI experience required for beginner tracks
Veritas AI offers a set of structured, project-based programs that introduce you to artificial intelligence through guided research and mentorship. Depending on the track you choose, you’ll either learn core AI concepts in a small-group setting or work more independently with a mentor on a focused research project. The programs emphasize applying concepts to real-world problems, allowing you to build a tangible project that reflects your interests within AI. In more advanced tracks, you receive one-on-one mentorship, which can be helpful if you’re looking for deeper engagement or direction. You’ll also get exposure to how research is framed and communicated, with some support available for competitions or publication pathways.
3. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) - The Rockefeller University
Location: The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, age 16+ at program start
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at The Rockefeller University is a team-based research experience where you work closely with scientists on a focused project across the summer. You’ll be placed in a small research team mentored by scientific trainees from institutions like Rockefeller, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Weill Cornell Medicine, allowing you to experience how collaborative lab environments function. The program begins with foundational training before moving into developing and exploring your own research question within your team’s broader topic. As the weeks progress, you’ll analyze data, refine your findings, and prepare a final research poster to present at a closing symposium. Alongside lab work, there are lectures, workshops, and networking sessions that add context to your research experience.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free (for selected students through the foundation)
Dates: Multiple 12-week cohorts offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines depending on cohort
Eligibility: High school students; priority for students requiring financial assistance
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a nonprofit initiative that provides students with access to mentored research opportunities they may not otherwise be able to afford. Through the program, you’re matched with a mentor and guided through an independent research project in a subject area of your interest. The experience is structured but flexible, allowing you to explore a topic in depth while building skills in research, writing, and critical thinking. You’ll also gain exposure to how academic research is developed and presented, with support available as you refine your work. Since the program is delivered virtually, it offers accessibility regardless of your location.
5. CS4CS (Cyber Security for Computer Science)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students from NYC, Long Island (select LIRR lines), and specific counties in NJ
CS4CS is a four-week summer program that introduces you to cybersecurity through hands-on challenges and applied learning. You’ll work on Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions, which simulate real-world security problems and help you build practical problem-solving skills. The program also covers areas like cryptography, digital forensics, and security-focused scripting, giving you a broad view of the field. Alongside technical work, you’ll engage in research projects and have the chance to present your findings, adding a structured academic component to the experience. You’ll also interact with industry professionals, which can help you understand how cybersecurity is applied beyond the classroom.
6. BEAM Summer Programs
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer (varies by program and grade level)
Application Deadline: January – March (application window)
Eligibility: Middle school students (primarily 6th-7th grade); priority for students from lower-income backgrounds
BEAM Summer Programs are designed to help you explore mathematics in a more creative and problem-solving-focused way than a typical classroom setting. Instead of standard coursework, you’ll engage with puzzles, collaborative challenges, and open-ended problems that encourage deeper thinking and curiosity. The program also includes field trips, group activities, and structured support, creating a well-rounded experience beyond academics. BEAM places a strong emphasis on building a community where you feel comfortable exploring ideas and asking questions, especially if you haven’t had access to enrichment opportunities before.
7. STEM Research Academy - CCNY College Now
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Free; up to $1,575 stipend for selected summer participants
Dates: February 10 – May 23 (spring) | July 6 – August 6 (summer, for selected students)
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: NYC public high school 10th-11th graders meeting GPA and Regents criteria
The STEM Research Academy at City College of New York is a two-phase program that begins with a spring research course and can extend into a summer internship. In the spring, you’ll attend an in-person course focused on building research skills through inquiry-based learning, while also earning potential high school credit. Students who complete this phase can apply for the summer component, where a smaller group is selected to work directly with faculty mentors on a research project in a lab setting. During the internship, you’ll contribute to ongoing research, attend seminars, and prepare a final presentation of your work.
8. Tech Scholars - The New York Historical
Location: The New York Historical, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: Tech Scholars: Podcasting (July 6 – 10) | Tech Scholars: Web Design (July 20 – 24) | Tech Scholars: Exhibition Design (August 3 – 7)
Application Deadline: May 17
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12) in the NYC metro area
Tech Scholars at The New York Historical is a series of short, project-based programs that combine history with digital and creative skills. Across week-long sessions, you’ll work with peers to create outputs like podcasts, websites, or small exhibitions, while exploring historical themes and cultural narratives. The program emphasizes collaboration and student-led work, with guidance from museum professionals who introduce you to fields like public history, curation, and digital humanities. Depending on the session, you might focus on storytelling through audio, web design using basic coding, or even hands-on exhibition building without digital tools.
9. Summer Game Development Program - Pace University
Location: Pace University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students entering 12th grade
The Summer Game Development Program at Pace University is a week-long program where students learn to design and build their own video game from scratch. Using industry tools and game engines, you’ll work on coding, game mechanics, and design principles while developing a project over the week. The program is structured so that each session builds toward a final outcome, making consistency and participation important throughout. At the end of the program, you’ll present your completed game in a showcase, offering a clear way to see what you’ve built over the week.
10. Engineering the Next Generation (ENG) - Columbia University
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free; stipend provided (~$17/hour for ~25 hours/week)
Dates: Summer (6 weeks; exact dates vary)
Application Deadline: Varies (includes additional application through NYC’s Ladder for Leaders program)
Eligibility: Rising seniors (current 11th graders) attending NYC schools; must be eligible to work in NYC
Engineering the Next Generation (ENG) at Columbia University is a research-focused summer program where you work alongside faculty and researchers on real engineering projects. You can apply to tracks like Foundations of Research or the Center for Smart Streetscapes, depending on your interests, with projects spanning areas such as computer science, biomedical engineering, and environmental systems. The program includes lab-based research with workshops on college preparation, scientific communication, and professional development. You’ll collaborate with mentors at multiple levels, including faculty, graduate students, and peers, which helps you understand how research teams function in practice. Alongside technical work, the structure also emphasizes the development of transferable skills and exposure to academic pathways in engineering.
11. Hk Maker Lab
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6 – August 7
Application Deadline: December 5
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (NYC public or charter school students; priority for students from under-resourced backgrounds)
Hk Maker Lab is a two-phase summer program that combines engineering coursework with a hands-on design challenge focused on health equity. In the first phase, you participate in Columbia Engineering’s SHAPE program, where you’re introduced to core engineering concepts through structured learning. This is followed by a collaborative hackathon where you develop solutions to real-world health challenges, applying what you’ve learned in a practical setting. The program emphasizes building, testing, and refining ideas, often through projects such as apps, prototypes, or digital tools. The experience also extends beyond the summer, with pathways to future opportunities such as internships and continued engagement through an alumni network.
12. Environmentor Program – Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE)
Location: Far Rockaway, NY
Cost: Free; up to $1,200 stipend
Dates: June – mid-August (exact dates not specified)
Application Deadline: Not specified; contact the institute for more details
Eligibility: 9th-11th grade students in NYC, attending school in or near the Rockaway peninsula
Environmentor is a research mentorship program where you conduct hands-on environmental research focused on areas like Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline. Students work closely with scientists and mentors from local universities and research institutions, developing their own research projects over the summer. The program includes a mix of workshops, fieldwork, and lab-based learning, along with skills like data collection and analysis. In addition to research, one can participate in activities such as water safety training, CPR certification, and outdoor experiences like kayaking or biking, which directly connect to the program’s environmental focus.
13. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 8-10 with a strong interest in STEM
ieSoSC at New York University is a five-week program that blends engineering, computer science, and entrepreneurship, focusing on smart city design. It covers concepts such as design thinking and urban infrastructure, which students then apply through team projects that tackle real-world issues. In the latter half, participants work in small groups to create and prototype solutions, often apps or IoT devices. The program offers hands-on sessions with a range of tools and materials, guided by faculty and graduate mentors. Additionally, it includes training in presentation skills, culminating in a final showcase where students present their prototypes to a wider audience.
14. Summer Engineering Awareness Program - Manhattan University
Location: Manhattan University, Riverdale, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: Multiple sessions (e.g., June 25 – July 1; July 6 – 17; July 20 – 27)
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in the NYC metro area (with a focus on underrepresented students)
The Summer Engineering Awareness Program at Manhattan University is a short-term, intensive program that introduces you to a range of engineering fields through hands-on learning. Over the course of the program, you’ll explore areas like civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering through lab sessions and practical activities. The experience also includes guest lectures, field trips to industry sites, and sessions focused on college admissions, scholarships, and career pathways. You’ll be exposed to how engineering intersects with fields such as business, law, and healthcare, offering a broader perspective on potential career paths.