15 Online STEM Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in exploring STEM beyond the standard school curriculum, an online program in your field of choice is worth exploring. Online STEM programs enable you to explore advanced topics, develop practical skills, and connect with industry experts. A key benefit of virtual programs is the opportunity to learn from anywhere in the world. Like in-person opportunities, online programs offer live, collaborative experiences without the high costs of travel and accommodation.
What are the benefits of a STEM program?
STEM programs, typically offered by universities, research labs, and independent organizations, allow you to gain in-depth knowledge and explore different disciplines and topics in STEM. You may pursue advanced study in fields such as machine learning, data science, web development, aerospace engineering, AI in medicine, neuroscience, or astrophysics. These programs can introduce you to ongoing STEM research, college-level coursework, and career paths through lectures, class discussions, debates, individual and group projects, and expert mentorship.
To make your search easier, we have put together a list of 15 online STEM programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. MITES Semester
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June – December (dates vary by year)
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
MITES (MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science) Semester is a six-month virtual STEM and college-preparation experience for high school students. The program will allow you to gain in-depth knowledge and explore various facets of STEM. As a participant, you will take intensive courses across disciplines, including robotics, thermodynamics, astrophysics, machine learning, computational biology, and design thinking. You will also have the opportunity to prepare for college through essay reviews, mock interviews, and expert guidance, and develop a range of skills, including academic, social, and practical. You will learn about the social impact of STEM through a project-based course and a supplemental core course in computer science, physics, calculus, science writing, or communication. The program also includes weekly webinars, workshops, social events, and peer meetings, culminating in a final symposium.
2. Veritas AI: AI Scholars & AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Cohorts run multiple times each year; the AI Scholars last 10 weeks, and the AI Fellowship program runs for 12 to 15 weeks
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship typically accepts previous AI Scholar participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with 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 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, students get a chance 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. NASA GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 800 – 1,000 students/year
Dates: June 1 – August 28
Application deadline: March 15 or until 1,000 applications are received, whichever is earlier
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; applicants must have taken at least one high school biology course.
NASA’s GL4HS is a biology-focused 12-week summer training program for high school students. As a participant, you will learn about NASA’s space biology research, bioinformatics and computational biology methods, Omics-based research, techniques to analyze omics data, and applications of the bioinformatics analyses to NASA Space Biology science. The program is primarily asynchronous, with the option to attend live office hours that include demonstrations. You will learn through pre-recorded videos and optional project work, where you can join a team of peers to analyze bioinformatics datasets from the Open Science Data Repository and deliver a presentation in support of a hypothesis-based research proposal. You will share your work at a proposal competition, and if you are part of one of the top three teams, you will get to present your work at the annual American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) conference through an all-expense-paid trip.
4. Immerse Education’s Online Research Program
Location: Fully remote
Cost: Varies by program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; multiple dates throughout the year
Dates: Flexible; multiple cohorts in a year.
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 – 18 (accredited options require age 14+)
The Online Research Program enables high school students to conduct rigorous research with tutors from Oxford, Cambridge, and Ivy League universities. You will work with your tutor to explore a subject of your choice in depth and write an academic research paper. The program is offered in 1:1 and small-group formats, and you can earn college credit from universities in the US and the UK. The virtual research program is offered across more than 20 subjects, including artificial intelligence, chemistry, psychology, economics, computer science, creative writing, philosophy, and more. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a written evaluation from your tutor, an opportunity to publish your research, and an invitation to present at the Immerse Online Symposium. You can find examples of papers Immerse students have worked on here. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Coding For Cancer
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 27 – August 21
Application deadline: March 29
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students; preference given to Washington State residents.
Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Coding For Cancer is a virtual program that helps high school students explore the role of computation in cancer research. You will learn R, build skills through hands-on exercises, explore the application of computational tools in cancer research, and connect with computational biologists. You will participate in group activities and work on individual research projects under the guidance of active computational biology researchers. At the end of the program, along with a stipend, you will earn a Cradley Badge to showcase your work.
6. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – 25
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11
Hosted by the Stanford Physics Department and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, SPINWIP allows you to learn about the latest research in various areas of physics, including quantum computing, cosmology, quantum physics, and astrophysics. Here, you will also explore how to apply Python coding skills to physics-based projects, learn from Stanford professors and researchers through lectures, and participate in college planning and career development workshops. You will have the opportunity to work in small groups under the guidance of Stanford undergraduates and have access to the mentorship of Stanford professors and students throughout the program.
7. Columbia University Pre-College Online: STEM Courses
Location: Virtual
Cost: Nonrefundable $80 application fee + one-week program cost: $2,867 or two-week program cost: $4,017; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by course
Dates: Session AA: 1 Week: June 22 – 26 | Session A: 2 Weeks: July 6 – 17 | Session B: 2 Weeks: July 20 – 31
Application deadline: Early: February 2; General: April 2
Eligibility: High school students
Columbia University’s Pre-College Online Summer Program offers high school students the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses over one or two weeks. You can choose STEM courses, including options in astronomy and astrophysics, neuroscience, medicine, mathematics, data science and machine learning, cyber threat intelligence, and animation. Each course offers you the opportunity to learn core and advanced concepts through class discussions, simulations, debates, individual and group projects, and academic skill-building. If you choose the two-week program, you will have the opportunity to participate in the Columbia Writers Academy, a course designed to help you craft strong college application essays.
8. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Online format available
Cost: $3,750; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 64 students/year
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – July 3 | Session 2: July 6 – 24
Application deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
SUMac is a three- to four-week program designed for students passionate about exploring advanced math. Here, you will explore mathematical topics such as abstract algebra and number theory through lectures, group problem-solving sessions, and guided research. The program will introduce you to the evolution of major mathematical theories, ongoing areas of mathematical inquiry, and applications of mathematics across STEM fields. You will pick one out of two structured courses: one focused on algebra and number theory, and the other on algebraic topology, both of which cover core and advanced concepts and connect classical math to modern applications. The workload here mirrors college-level expectations.
9. Girls Who Code Pathways
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – August 14
Application deadline: Early: February 25; General: April 10
Eligibility: High school girls and non-binary students, ages 14 – 18
Girls Who Code Pathways is a self-paced, virtual program for high school students spanning six to seven weeks. The program follows a tech-focused curriculum across tracks, including AI, web development, game design, data science, and cybersecurity. You will gain hands-on experience by working on real-world projects, interacting with industry leaders across fields, and exploring tech careers through skill-building workshops and interactions with entrepreneurs and engineers. You will also get to connect with peers via Girls Who Code’s virtual community on Discord. The program additionally offers access to career panels and corporate partner events.
10. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $45 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students/year (subject to change)
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26 | Session B: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 and up, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program for high school students interested in exploring the role of AI in medicine. The program enables you to learn how AI is used in healthcare while working on hands-on research projects, participating in group discussions, attending lectures, and receiving mentorship from Stanford student leads and researchers. These activities will cover topics like machine learning basics, clinical applications, datasets, model evaluation, medical imaging AI, and responsible AI. You will also participate in social events and “Meet the Expert” sessions, where you get to connect with guest speakers from academia, non-profit, industry, and government. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion from Stanford AIMI.
11. Kode with Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual and in-person camps (sites vary each year)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Two weeks in the summer
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Girls and gender expansive teens, ages 13 – 18; no coding experience required
Kode with Klossy Summer Camps are free two-week coding experiences designed for students from traditionally underrepresented genders in STEM fields. You will dive into coding basics and applications through one of four tracks—web development, machine learning, mobile app development, and data science. The program is led by licensed educators and covers topics such as programming languages, algorithms, datasets, iOS app development, and data visualization. Each track allows you to apply what you learn through projects, including programming a chatbot, creating data visualizations, and building an app or website.
12. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Virtual format available
Cost: $4,120; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 26
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Current 9th-grade students
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week program that allows high school freshmen to explore the impact of AI on society. You will learn through AI-focused live demos led by AI companies, lectures, career workshops, and team research projects. You will collaborate with and receive mentorship from Stanford faculty and industry professionals, and gain insights into topics such as medical AI, robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing. Additionally, you will connect with Graduate Student Mentors while working on your group project. You will present your work at the end of the program.
13. UC San Diego Research Scholars
Location: Virtual courses available
Cost: Varies by course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round and summer cohorts; dates vary by course
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students; course-specific prerequisites may apply.
The UC San Diego Research Scholars program offers advanced exploratory experiences to high school students. The program, administered by the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, is designed to help you develop in-demand academic and technical skills. You can choose from research-focused courses in various STEM disciplines, including bioengineering, sports medicine, life sciences, and marine science. While course themes and activities vary by track, you will learn about and engage in organic research practices, work on real-world research projects, and prepare for college admissions and internship opportunities. You will also participate in class discussions, conduct experiments, and develop skills in data collection, analysis, and presentation throughout the program.
14. HarvardX CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
Location: Virtual via edX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced course
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
HarvardX allows high schoolers to enroll in CS50: Introduction to Computer Science, an entry-level course designed to help you think algorithmically and develop problem-solving skills. As a participant, you will explore topics such as web development, resource management, abstraction, algorithms, data structures, software engineering, and encapsulation. You will explore programming languages such as Python, SQL, C, and JavaScript, as well as CSS and HTML. You will work on real-world problem sets from forensics, finance, gaming, biology, and cryptography.
15. Rice University Pre-College Online: STEM Courses
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795/course; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Courses of varying lengths available throughout the year
Application deadline: Typically, one week before sessions begin
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
Rice University’s Pre-College Online Program allows high school students to explore their interests through multi-length courses in different subject areas. The program offers courses across disciplines, including aerospace, engineering, genome engineering, medicine, physiology, and psychology. Each course offers a flexible learning experience, provides insights through video lectures taught by Rice University faculty, and pairs you with supportive mentors. The courses end with capstone projects that help you apply what you learn. Upon completing your chosen course, you will earn a Certificate of Completion from Rice University.
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