12 Online Physics Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in physics, an online structured program can be a great option for you to explore. Online physics programs allow you to build practical skills, gain industry experience, and connect with mentors, without the cost of travel. In fact, many prestigious organizations now offer accessible, online opportunities that make them accessible to students from all locations. You also work with experienced instructors and professionals and learn directly from them. Whether you're passionate about mechanics, astrophysics, or particle physics, these programs let you explore your interests without needing to travel or relocate.
In this blog, we've curated the top 12 online physics programs for high school students based on their content relevance, mentorship opportunities, and strong physics components.
1. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: May 1 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students of any gender in grades 9-11; Rising seniors preferred
SPINWIP is a virtual summer outreach program designed to introduce high school students to physics and coding through interactive learning and mentorship. As a participant, you’ll learn about cutting-edge topics like quantum physics, astrophysics, and cosmology, while also building programming skills in Python. The program includes lectures from Stanford professors, small-group projects led by Stanford undergraduates, and exposure to real-world applications of physics. You’ll also take part in college planning and career development workshops, which will guide you through navigating higher education and STEM pathways. Mentorship is a key component, with opportunities to connect directly with Stanford faculty and students. The program emphasizes inclusion and access, encouraging participation from first-generation students and those traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter; Upcoming cohort is winter starting late November or early December
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis and varies as per cohort; Winter Cohort: October 19); you can apply here
Eligibility: AI Scholars - All high school students | AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit 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. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose the AI Scholars program. This 10-session boot camp introduces you to the fundamentals of AI & data science, and you get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project, at the intersection of physics and AI. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) – George Mason University
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA + Remote options
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; Fee waivers available
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+ by June 18 for remote or computer-lab internships
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University gives high school and undergraduate students the chance to engage in hands-on research projects in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. You’ll work under the mentorship of university faculty and professional researchers in areas such as physics, molecular biology, chemistry, and more. The program includes a required orientation and concludes with a Research Symposium and Celebration, where you’ll present your findings. It offers an opportunity to collaborate with experienced mentors, gain practical research experience, and showcase your work in a professional academic setting.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Physics Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Rolling; Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance (at least 3.3/4.0 GPA)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers motivated high school students the chance to conduct original, independent research under the 1-on-1 guidance of a Ph.D. mentor. Over the course of the program, you’ll explore a research question of your choice, develop advanced academic skills, and produce a formal research paper. Topics span a wide range, including but not limited to physics, engineering, and computer science. Along with research skills, you’ll also gain experience in academic writing, data analysis, and science communication. This program is ideal if you want a personalized, research-intensive experience that builds directly toward future STEM studies.
5. COMPOS (Comprehensive Oxford Mathematics and Physics Online School)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free for UK state school students; International and private school students can join as Foundation students for £25 per week
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Year-long program
Application Deadline: May 5 – September 28
Eligibility: UK state school students in Years 10-13; Applicants must be studying GCSE science (double or triple) and A-level physics and maths; International/private school students may apply to the Foundation program
Oxford’s COMPOS program offers motivated high school students the chance to deepen their knowledge of physics and mathematics through weekly tutorials, webinars, and problem-solving assignments. You will work in small groups of ~8 with Oxford tutors, focusing on both physics and maths topics, submitting assignments every 3-4 weeks for marking and feedback. Beyond core learning, you will access forums, online events, and YouTube lectures, joining a community of peers equally passionate about STEM. The program particularly encourages female, non-binary, and financially disadvantaged students to apply, aiming to diversify the pipeline into physics and mathematics.
6. Stanford Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Math & Physics
Location: Online
Cost: $1,700 + $35 application fee; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple terms; Fall: August 25 – December 12
Application Deadline: Varies by term; Fall: July 28
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders
Stanford Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Math & Physics gives you the chance to take advanced university-level courses in mathematics and physics while still in high school. The program offers 13 courses throughout the year that go beyond what is typically available in secondary schools. In the physics track, you’ll get to choose from courses like Light and Heat (XP645), Modern Physics (XP670), Intermediate Mechanics I (XP710), and Intermediate Mechanics II (XP711). You’ll study directly with Stanford instructors, earn Stanford University Continuing Studies credit, and receive an official Stanford transcript. To support your learning, expert instructors hold optional office hours where you can ask questions and receive guidance. You’ll develop advanced problem-solving skills, strengthen analytic reasoning, and engage in creative thinking that prepares you for future university-level work.
7. Summer@Brown: Habitable Worlds: Possible Places for Life in the Solar System and Beyond
Location: Online and on-campus at Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: $3,218; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: May 9 (general)
Eligibility: High school students who have completed Algebra I and one year of science
This interdisciplinary course in astrobiology and planetary science explores the conditions necessary for life and the environments in which it might exist beyond Earth. You’ll learn about habitable zones, exoplanet discovery methods, and the unique properties that make a planet or moon potentially habitable. The program incorporates active, inquiry-based learning with creative assignments, such as drawing skies from other worlds, simulating orbital resonances, and comparing scientific papers to news coverage. You’ll also participate in discussions on topics like the politics of space exploration, space science in movies, and pathways into STEM. Taught by Brown faculty and instructors, the course emphasizes science communication, independent research, and critical thinking, making it accessible to those new to planetary science as well as students seeking to deepen their expertise. By the end, you’ll be able to evaluate the habitability of exoplanets and solar system bodies for yourself.
8. Columbia University Pre-College Program: Introduction to Physical Science
Location: Virtual (in-person available)
Cost: $3,965 per session; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Program Dates: July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 10 (early); March 24 (general)
Eligibility: U.S. and international high school students
Columbia University’s Introduction to Physical Science is a short pre-college course that provides a foundation in key areas of physics, chemistry, and earth science. Designed for motivated high school students, the class explores fundamental scientific concepts and methods used to understand the natural world. Some topics you’ll explore include electromagnetic radiation, the quantum mechanics of atoms, special relativity, and more. You’ll attend daily online lectures taught by Columbia faculty and engage in interactive assignments and discussions. Since the course is ungraded, the emphasis is on exploration, comprehension, and skill development rather than formal evaluation.
9. University of Michigan: Introduction to Thermodynamics
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free (paid certificate available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Self-paced; 2 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school graduates and undergraduate students; Recommended background in high school or first-year college-level physics, chemistry, and calculus
This course introduces you to the fundamental principles of thermodynamics, focusing on how energy is transferred between systems. You’ll study topics such as conservation of mass and energy, control mass vs. control volume systems, the properties of pure substances, and steady-state thermodynamic processes. Applications range from solar panels and engines to insulated coffee mugs, showing you how thermodynamics underpins both daily life and advanced engineering. The course is taught by Dr. Margaret Wooldridge (University of Michigan) and consists of short lecture videos, integrated quizzes, and practice assignments.
10. MIT OpenCourseWare: Thermodynamics and Climate Change
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Self-paced; 6 months
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
In this course, you’ll explore thermodynamics through the lens of climate change, connecting fundamental physics concepts to real-world challenges. You’ll study the laws of thermodynamics, entropy, and enthalpy, while applying them to energy conversion technologies like hydrogen fuel cells, artificial photosynthesis, and solar power. The course combines an online textbook with Python-based coding labs, problem sets, and team projects, giving you the chance to apply theory to hands-on simulations. A unique aspect of this program is its integration within MITES Semester, which emphasizes mentorship, networking, and community-building among highly motivated students from diverse backgrounds. You’ll work in teams to evaluate climate change mitigation strategies using both theory and computational tools.
11. Classical Mechanics (MITx 8.01x) – MIT
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: No application required
Eligibility: High school students with a strong background in calculus and basic physics
This self-paced course introduces you to the core ideas of classical mechanics, one of the foundational subjects in physics. During the course, you’ll work through modules on Newton’s laws, momentum, energy, angular momentum, and rotational motion, with problem sets and assessments designed to test both conceptual and technical skills. The course includes interactive assignments, online textbooks, and real problem-solving exercises to help you deepen your understanding. While there’s no hands-on lab component, you’ll learn how to analyze and predict physical systems mathematically, similar to how undergraduate physics majors are trained.
12. Stanford Online: Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None (paid certificate available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students; Basic understanding of algebra is helpful but not required
This online course explores Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity, focusing both on the science and on Einstein’s personal journey as a young patent clerk who revolutionized physics in 1905. You’ll examine questions such as why time can run more slowly for some observers, why objects shrink at high velocities, and why nothing can travel faster than light. The course also addresses paradoxes of relativity, the possibility of time travel, and why Einstein did not receive a Nobel Prize for his relativity work. Lessons combine conceptual discussions with light mathematical analysis, supported by a math review video to help with essential background. The flexible, self-paced structure allows you to audit for free or pay for a verified certificate to showcase your learning.
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