15 Physics Programs for High School Students in Los Angeles, California (LA)
If you are a high school student interested in physics, structured programs in the field can be a practical way to explore how scientific concepts are applied beyond the classroom. Physics programs can provide you with early exposure to fields such as mechanics, electronics, aerospace, data science, and modern physics, while helping you develop skills in problem-solving, quantitative reasoning, and technical communication. Many of these programs emphasize project work, including lab experiments, coding, engineering design, and independent research projects.
Why should you attend a program in Los Angeles?
Several reputable universities and national organizations in and around Los Angeles offer physics-related programs that connect academic study with practical applications. In these programs, you might assist with laboratory experiments, analyze astronomical or engineering data, write research reports, build and test prototypes, or apply coding and computational tools to scientific questions. Whether you are based in Los Angeles or travelling to the city, these programs provide access to a well-established scientific community and exposure to advanced academic and industry settings.
We’ve narrowed our list to 15 physics programs for high school students in Los Angeles, California.
If you are looking for engineering internships in Los Angeles, check out our blog here.
1. USC's Young Researchers Program
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 1 – April 5
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM and underresourced areas that lack access to research opportunities or STEM materials
USC’s Young Researchers Program is a six-week summer research program for rising high school seniors interested in exploring STEM fields through hands-on, university-level research projects. The program enables you to conduct mentored research in physics, astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, or environmental science. You will be paired with a graduate student mentor who guides you through the entire research process, from developing a research question to preparing your results for a final poster presentation. The experience also includes weekly seminars focused on college applications, scholarships, and pathways into STEM careers. It also includes site visits, such as a trip to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a field day on Catalina Island focused on Earth and environmental science.
2. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Program Dates: Varies according to the cohort: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Open to high school students; AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students passionate about AI with a supportive environment to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program will allow students to pursue independent AI research projects in areas such as astronomy, gaming, and environmental science. Students work on their research projects over 15 weeks and can opt to combine AI with any other field of interest. You can find examples of previous projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories across the U.S., including one less than an hour from Los Angeles
Cost | Stipend: Free | $4,000 for new participants and $4,500 for returning participants
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive, with around 300 placements in more than 38 DoN laboratories around the U.S.
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, with the possibility of extending up to two more weeks
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have at least completed grade 9 | must be at least 16 years old | must be U.S. citizens | graduating seniors can also apply | some labs might make exceptions for these criteria; so check individual lab pages here for exceptions and/or additional requirements
SEAP is an eight-week summer research placement that immerses high school students in real-world science and engineering work at DoN labs around the country. You will be paired with professional scientists and engineers to contribute to ongoing projects in physics, applied mathematics, data analytics, and robotics. Your day-to-day work may include assisting with experiments, collecting and analyzing data, supporting calibration and testing processes, and using tools such as CAD software, sensors, and precision measurement equipment. Mentorship is a central part of the experience, with regular guidance from researchers and opportunities to observe technical meetings and laboratory operations. Depending on your lab, you may also tour specialized facilities and collaborate with other interns on team-based problem-solving tasks.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote —you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid is available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. You can apply here
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
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. UCLA’s Astronomy Live's Summer Observing Workshop
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 10 – August 5 (tentative; based on previous years)
Application Deadline: May 2 (tentative; based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students; preference given to rising juniors and seniors
UCLA’s Astronomy Live's Summer Observing Workshop is a nine-week, free program hosted by the UCLA Department of Physics and Astronomy that introduces high school students to observational astronomy and scientific research. You will work with UCLA Ph.D. student instructors to complete a small research project using real telescope data from observatories around the world and space, focusing on one or more astrophysical objects. The program meets once per week on the UCLA campus for three-hour evening sessions, providing dedicated time for data analysis, discussion, and project development. You will build practical skills in handling scientific datasets, interpreting astronomical observations, and using various research methods. Your project concludes with a 5–10 minute presentation in which you will explain your process and findings to peers and instructors.
6. USC Viterbi’s Energy of STEM Summer Camps
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 100 students
Program Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: May 4
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 4–12 (preference given to active MESA, Mission Science, and Engineering Transformer students and students at schools affiliated with the K-12 STEM Center)
USC Viterbi’s Energy of STEM Summer Camps are free, week-long programs that introduce students to topics such as physics, energy, electronics, and basic coding. You will participate in hands-on projects and guided demonstrations that explore different aspects of green energy and electronics, depending on the camp track. Activities are led by USC Viterbi Center staff, USC students, and SoCalGas engineers, giving you the opportunity to learn directly from professionals working in engineering and energy fields. The program emphasizes collaborative group work, allowing you to test new ideas and discuss results with peers.
7. UCLA Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Varies by number of units in a course; click here for more information (need and merit-based scholarships available for California high school students)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 18 – May 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors with an unweighted, cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher
SCIP gives high school students an inside look at college-level academics by letting them enroll in one of two UCLA courses alongside undergraduates. You can choose from courses in physics, mechanics, astronomy, oceanography, or earth science, depending on availability and prerequisites. The program combines regular lectures and graded assignments with mandatory co-curricular workshops focused on college applications, study strategies, and university academic resources. You will build practical skills in managing a college course load, communicating with instructors, and planning your academic pathways. By the end of the program, you will gain experience navigating a university environment while earning UCLA college credit.
8. Cal State LA’s College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology (ECST) LAunchPad Summer Program
Location: California State University, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 30 students
Program Dates: July 7 – 18 (tentative; based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Cal State LA’s ECST LAunchPad Summer Program is a two-week, in-person program that introduces high school students to applied STEM fields, including physics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and materials science. You will work in small teams led by Cal State LA students to complete a structured project that culminates in a “Futurathon” team presentation at the end of the program. The daily schedule combines morning sessions with ECST faculty, interactive hands-on activities using computer-based tools and physics principles, and talks from industry professionals. You will gain exposure to how physics and engineering concepts are used in real-world careers through panel discussions with engineers and computer scientists. The program also includes STEM-focused field trips and opportunities to ask professionals and university students questions directly about academic and career pathways.
9. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA (less than 2 hours from LA)
Cost: $5,675 (Commuter) | $13,274 (Residential) | Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive, with a 4% – 6% acceptance rate
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 15 – March 9
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors (outstanding freshmen may be accepted on a case-by-case basis) | Required minimum weighted GPA is 3.80
The Research Mentorship Program at UC Santa Barbara is a competitive summer experience for high school students interested in conducting university-level research across disciplines such as physics, engineering, mathematics, biology, and the social sciences. You will work closely with a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty mentor to design and conduct a research project, learning techniques such as data collection, fieldwork, laboratory methods, and analysis of the academic literature. Alongside your project, you will study how to communicate research through formal writing and professional presentations, including technical papers, posters, and oral talks. The program concludes with a formal academic symposium where you present your findings and earn university credit for your completed coursework and research.
10. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS) at UCLA
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA (and several other universities across California)
Cost: $5,518 + $46 application fee (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 160 – 200 participants per campus; each cluster has around 20–25 students
Program Dates: July 5 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 7 – February 6
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 8–12 | Must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher | Check individual cluster pages here for cluster-specific prerequisites
The COSMOS program at UCLA is a four-week residential pre-college program that introduces high school students to advanced topics in physics, engineering, mathematics, and related STEM fields. You will join a focused academic cluster led by UCLA faculty and researchers, studying areas such as mechanical and aerospace engineering, computational biology, data science, or climate science through a combination of lectures and lab-based learning. Along the way, you may gain hands-on experience in engineering design, programming systems, analyzing real-world data, and building or testing physical and computational models. You will also collaborate in small teams to develop a research or engineering project that connects theory with practical application. Depending on the cluster, you may also get to participate in site visits and mini field trips to research labs, tech companies, or NASA-affiliated facilities. The program concludes with a formal presentation or poster session where you share your findings with peers and instructors.
11. USC Summer Programs – Discover Engineering
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $8,130 (Commuter) | $11,570 (Residential) | $85 application fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors
This four-week, college-level summer program introduces high school students to engineering and applied physics concepts through a combination of lectures, labs, and design-based projects at USC. You will spend your days working with simulation tools, real-world materials, and the engineering design process to explore areas such as aerospace, electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering. Hands-on activities include building and launching rockets, programming robots and sensor devices, and designing bridges and circuit systems. You will also participate in guest speaker sessions and site visits across Los Angeles, gaining exposure to how engineers apply these concepts in professional and research settings. You will write a short research paper and present project outcomes, practicing how to explain and defend your technical ideas.
12. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) High School Summer Programs – Aerospace
Location: Several universities across the U.S., including the University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $4,495 (scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 23 – July 1 | July 5 – 13
Application Deadline: Rolling, until there is no space in the program
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors, as well as graduating high school seniors, aged 14–18
The NSLC High School Summer Program’s Aerospace track introduces you to core physics and engineering concepts through hands-on, team-based projects focused on aviation and space systems. You will apply the engineering design process to build and test an unmanned aerial vehicle, construct rockets and gliders, and develop payload delivery systems. You will also explore topics including aerodynamics, propulsion, drag, and flight mechanics. You will gain hands-on experience in soldering, computer-aided design, and the analysis of forces acting on aircraft and spacecraft. Guest speakers from the aerospace industry share professional perspectives, and collaborative workshops emphasize problem-solving, technical communication, and leadership skills. The program also includes site visits to organizations such as NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, and the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, giving you a look at how aerospace research and development operate in real-world settings.
13. UCLA’s Bruin Ascent Summer Experience (BASE)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 18 – April 15
Eligibility: California high school sophomores or juniors with a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA (unweighted) | Must have a household adjusted gross income (AGI) equal to or lower than the amount in your relevant category in the Family Income Eligibility Tables | Summer Scholars Support recipients are not eligible to apply
UCLA’s BASE program is a six-week, needs- and merit-based online scholarship program for California high school students from under-resourced communities, combining college coursework with structured mentorship and academic support. You enroll in one UCLA online course for college credit, with options including chemistry, earth science, and physics. The program focuses on helping you build practical college-level skills such as time management, STEM study strategies, and effective communication through workshops, office hours, and peer study groups. You will be paired with a UCLA undergraduate mentor and meet weekly to discuss coursework, academic planning, and navigating the college experience. In addition to academic work, you will participate in co-curricular sessions covering college admissions, financial aid, and scholarship research. The experience is fully online and requires a 7–10-hour weekly time commitment.
14. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 7 – 25 (tentative; based on previous years)
Application Deadline: May 1 (tentative; based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11
SPINWIP is a three-week online program that introduces high school students to contemporary topics in modern physics and computational methods. The curriculum explores areas such as quantum physics, quantum computing, astrophysics, and cosmology, with an emphasis on how these fields connect to current research and career pathways. You will also study Python and apply basic programming skills to physics-based projects and data analysis. The curriculum is delivered through virtual sessions that combine lectures, guided practice, and collaborative discussions. In addition to technical content, the program includes structured workshops on college planning and career development in physics and related STEM fields.
15. Stanford Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Math & Physics
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,700 + $35 application fee (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Sessions available throughout the year in the Summer, Spring, and Fall terms
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students | Prerequisites vary by course. Check here for more information
Stanford Pre-Collegiate University-Level Online Math & Physics is an academic program that allows high school students to take advanced college-level physics and mathematics courses through a structured online format. You can enroll in physics courses, including Light and Heat, Modern Physics, and Intermediate Mechanics, which cover topics such as optics, thermodynamics, relativity, quantum theory, and advanced classical mechanics. The courses are largely self-paced with set windows for proctored midterm and final exams, and typically require 8–12 hours of work per week. You may learn through a combination of recorded lectures, problem sets, graded assignments, and live online office hours with expert instructors. All courses carry Stanford Continuing Studies credit, and you will receive an official Stanford Continuing Studies transcript upon completion.