15 Physics Camps for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in physics, attending a focused camp can be a useful way to explore the subject beyond standard classroom learning. These camps are designed to introduce key concepts through structured activities, guided experiments, and interaction with instructors who have academic or research experience in the field. They also allow you to test your interest in physics while developing problem-solving skills and gaining exposure to how the subject is applied in different areas of science and technology.
How are physics camps different from other programs?
Compared to semester-long courses or multi-week programs, physics camps are shorter and more concentrated, typically running anywhere from one to two weeks, which means the learning is intensive from day one. Camps tend to focus on activities such as soldering circuits, coding simulations, building and testing models, running lab experiments, and, in some cases, using professional-grade telescopes to collect real astronomical data. The format is designed to give you direct exposure to physics in practice, not just in theory, often through visits to active research facilities and conversations with scientists currently working in the field.
To help with your search, we've narrowed this list down to 15 physics camps for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)
Location: Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: U.S. high school students currently enrolled at the high school level
PAN is a week-long program held at FRIB, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science user facility and one of the leading rare-isotope research laboratories in the world. The curriculum focuses on atomic nuclei; their fundamental properties, how they're studied experimentally, and how nuclear physics connects to astrophysics and cosmology. You’ll conduct actual nuclear physics experiments rather than demonstrations, which puts you in direct contact with the methods and instrumentation used in active research at the facility. The week also includes introductions to astrophysics and precision measurement, networking with FRIB researchers working across a range of scientific questions, and exploring career pathways in nuclear science and related fields.
2. Veritas AI: AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; applicants should have completed the Veritas AI Scholars program or demonstrate prior experience with AI concepts or Python
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. Quantum Computing, Mathematics & Physics (QCaMP)
Location: Bay Area, CA, and Albuquerque, NM
Cost: Free; student stipends available
Program Dates: June 29 – July 24
Application Deadline: April 3
Eligibility: High school students in the Bay Area (CA) or Albuquerque (NM); prerequisite is basic algebra and interest in the subject
QCaMP is a camp that sits at the intersection of quantum physics and computing, using quantum-mechanical phenomena as the foundation for understanding how quantum computers operate differently from classical ones. The curriculum moves from computing fundamentals to quantum physics principles, covering concepts such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum interference, and then applies those principles to practical computing problems. The structure is designed to show that quantum physics isn't just theoretical but also directly enables a new class of computational approaches. You’ll also receive a learning stipend.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar’s Physics Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; full financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more.
5. Quantum and Laser Fusion Science Camp
Location: Casper College, Casper, WY
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 13 – July 24
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students
The Quantum and Laser Fusion Science Camp at Casper College is taught by professors and scientists from Texas A&M University's Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, with guest lecturers drawn from the National Academy of Sciences and other research organizations. The curriculum is divided over two weeks: the first focuses on foundational quantum science principles, and the second on applications. Topics include quantum uncertainty, superposition, entanglement, teleportation, quantum computing and cryptography, laser fusion for energy, and the role of quantum science in understanding cellular biology. Team-based work and group presentations are built into the structure.
6. Physics + Dance Lab @UC
Location: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Cost: Free
Program Dates: August 3 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: High school students in grades 8–12 during the current academic year
The Physics + Dance Lab camp at the University of Cincinnati is structured as a collaboration between scientists and professional dancers to evaluate how effectively dance conveys physics concepts. The content focus is quantum physics, explored through physical movement and creative inquiry. Working alongside 20 undergraduate students, you’ll co-create dance pieces grounded in quantum concepts, developing an understanding of the science through the process of translating it into physical form.
7. New Mexico School for the Arts’ Summer Physics Camp
Location: New Mexico School for the Arts, Santa Fe, NM
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 9 – June 19
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Students living in New Mexico, New Mexico Tribal Communities, or East Hawaii Island must have completed Algebra I or higher
Summer Physics Camp’s theme for the current year is "Invisible Worlds: Physics Beyond What Our Eyes Can See", which frames the curriculum around gravitational waves, electricity, the quantum realm, and the microscopic structures of living systems. You’ll work through projects in physics, engineering, bioengineering, chemistry, computer programming, and cybersecurity. Instruction involves scientists and engineers from Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, which means the camp connects you directly to active federal research environments. Beyond the technical content, the program also covers professional development, including resume writing, job applications, and interview skills. It includes sessions on educational and career pathways at local colleges and at Department of Energy national laboratories.
8. Physics Summer Camp
Location: Stony Brooks University
Cost: $650
Program Dates: July 13 – July 17
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in fall; strong interest and background in math and science encouraged; students who have already taken a physics course are not eligible
Physics Summer Camp curriculum spans Newtonian Mechanics, Light, Electricity, and Quantum Mechanics, covering a wide range of foundational physics topics in a compressed format, with each day built around a specific theme. The daily structure moves through exploration of physical phenomena, followed by hands-on design and build activities tied to that theme, and then measurement and data analysis. Lab sessions take place both indoors in the physics building and outdoors on campus. Guided tours of campus research labs and facilities are included, giving you a look at how physics is practiced at the university level. The week closes with a family showcase where you’ll present your projects and findings.
9. Astrophysics Camp
Location: UCLA, Georgetown University, Stanford University, and Online sessions are also available
Cost: Varies by location and format
Program Dates: Multiple dates based on location and format
Application Deadline: Enrollment open
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
Education Unlimited's Astrophysics Camp covers a wide range of modern astrophysics topics, both conceptually and mathematically, including the celestial sphere, blackbody radiation, energy quantization, the photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, Einstein's Theory of Relativity, and more. Computational simulations of dark matter and galactic formation are integrated into the curriculum alongside physical demonstrations and student-led discussions. Observational astronomy is woven throughout, using solar and night-sky telescopes, with instruction in constellation identification and naked-eye astronomy techniques. The course culminates in a self-selected research project tied to a modern astrophysics specialization. Some projects involve developing software to calculate galactic distances or using real-time satellite data to validate theoretical predictions.
10. University of Memphis’s Physics and Materials Science Summer Camp
Location: Manning Hall, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Cost: $120 registration fee
Program Dates: June 22 – June 26
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Physics and Materials Science Summer Camp explores how physics shows up in everyday contexts. The camp covers both physics and materials science, giving you exposure to how the two disciplines intersect, particularly in understanding the physical properties of matter and how materials behave under different conditions. Held in Manning Hall at the University of Memphis, this camp helps equip you with a wide range of skills that can be applied to numerous career paths in the future.
11. Hamline University’s Young Physicist Camp
Location: Hamline University, Saint Paul, MN
Cost: $598 - $698
Program Dates: July 20 – July 24
Application Deadline: Early registration encouraged before April 30
Eligibility: Students entering or currently in grades 9–12
The Young Physicist Camp is centered on renewable energy and the physics principles that underpin it. The curriculum moves between foundational energy concepts and the practical engineering side of energy systems, using hands-on experimentation as the primary instructional mode. You'll work directly with energy conversion and storage devices, including solar cells, supercapacitors, and lithium-ion batteries, running experiments that require you to engage with the physics of how these systems capture, store, and release energy. Working in teams, you’ll develop a renewable energy system concept and produce a written innovation plan to present to the group. Local experts visit the camp to discuss both the technical principles of renewable energy and the broader innovation process, giving you a window into how energy technology moves from concept to application.
12. UMD’s Advanced Physics Summer Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: July 20 – July 31
Application Deadline: Applications open in the first week of January
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
The Advanced Physics Summer Program at UMD is a two-week day camp that covers topics in physics, including Einstein's thought experiments, quantum mechanics, and modern code-breaking applications. The hands-on structure moves through soldering and electronics, coding, and robotics projects, with each activity tied to physics concepts. Lab tours take you into UMD's research facilities, and the schedule includes direct interaction with physics faculty, graduate students, and current undergraduates through panels and small group discussions. Industry speakers also come in to cover career pathways, so that you’ll get exposure to both academic and applied directions in physics.
13. Microscope Adventure Camp
Location: Hamline University, Saint Paul, MN
Cost: $598 - $698 per person
Program Dates: July 13 – July 17
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering or currently in grades 9–12
The Microscope Adventure Camp at Hamline University is a week-long day camp run by the physics department that centers on microscopy as both a scientific technique and an analytical tool. The two primary instruments are light microscopes and Hamline's scanning electron microscope, and the curriculum moves between how each works at a physics level and how they're applied across fields, including environmental science, forensic science, life sciences, and materials science. Hands-on experiments form the core of each day, where you operate the equipment, collect data, and use photomicrography to capture, edit, and present your observations as scientific findings. Local experts come into the camp throughout the week to connect the techniques you're learning to real professional applications.
14. Rutgers Astronomy & Astrophysics Summer Academy
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
Cost: $2,899
Program Dates: Week I: July 12 – July 18 | Week II: July 19 – July 25Application Deadline: May 24
Eligibility: Students who have completed their sophomore or junior year and are between the ages of 16 and 18
Rutgers' Astronomy and Astrophysics Summer Academy is a residential program structured across two independent weeks, each covering distinct content. Week I covers introductory space sciences, building foundational knowledge in astronomy, planetary science, and observational techniques. Week II covers advanced astrophysics topics and research methods, so the second week assumes a stronger working knowledge of the material.
Both weeks incorporate lectures, hands-on activities, and field trips, including a visit to the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory at Rutgers–New Brunswick, where you’ll work with actual telescopes and develop skills in observation and data analysis. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet working astrophysicists during the program.
15. Era of Quantum Science and Technology
Location: UMBC Campus, Baltimore, MD
Cost: $374
Program Dates: July 20 – July 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in physics or STEM
The Era of Quantum Science and Technology is a one-week introduction to the field, covering foundational principles of physics that underpin emerging areas such as quantum computing, quantum sensing, photonics, and materials science. The curriculum addresses quantum mechanics at a conceptual level, including wave-particle duality and the behavior of matter at the smallest scales, and connects those principles to the technologies being developed from them today. The format combines demonstrations, discussions, and lab tours, with researchers available to speak with you directly about what it means to work in quantum science.
Image source - Veritas AI