14 Physics Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you are a high school student interested in physics, enrolling in a structured program can aid in your understanding of various fundamental concepts in physics. Physics programs allow you to work on projects that interest you, developing problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills beyond the classroom. These programs let you explore topics like quantum mechanics, optics, and astrophysics, and prepare you for future academic or career opportunities.
Texas is home to many respected universities and organizations that welcome students to participate in their physics-focused programs. These programs offer you access to labs and research institutes with cutting-edge tools, mentorship from experts, and networking opportunities that can be beneficial in building your profile. Such programs can be a suitable option for local students who want to save on long-distance travel, while out-of-state students interested in studying in the state can also benefit from these programs and explore the opportunities Texas offers.
To help you find a program that suits your needs, here is a list of 14 physics programs for high school students in Texas.
1. Anson L. Clark Scholar Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Cost/Stipend: While the program is free to participate, there is a $25 application fee, and a stipend of $750 is provided when you submit your research report
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12
Dates: June 22 - August 7
Application Deadline: January 2 - February 16
Eligibility: 11th and 12th graders who are at least 17 years old
In this seven-week research program, Texas Tech University offers high school students the opportunity to research a list of STEM-related subjects, including physics. The program aims to provide students with the opportunity to work with and receive training from experienced professors and conduct research in their chosen field. The program also organizes seminars, discussion sessions, and field trips for participants. All these activities help participants develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills, alongside discussing future career possibilities with faculty and peers. Previous scholars have covered physics research topics such as ‘Utilizing Pulsars as Local Gravitational Wave Detectors in Globular Clusters,’ and ‘Discovery of Pulsators and Binaries in ZTF Hot Subdwarf Population through a Systematic.
2. Veritas AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12- to 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 to 12 who have prior knowledge in Python or AI, or have previously completed the Veritas AI Scholars program
If you think it would be exciting to work on projects that bring together artificial intelligence and physics concepts, then you will find the Veritas AI Fellowship program fascinating. During the three months of your participation in the program, you will get to build an AI project focused on your choice of subject, which can also include physics. An AI practitioner or a researcher will help you pick a fundamental physics concept and assist you in coding an AI project that solves an issue associated with your chosen concept. You will spend a significant amount of time analyzing data and writing code while working on your project.
3. High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Virtual and Johnson Space Centre, Houston, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: October 6 - March 8
Application Deadline: July 1 - September 24
Eligibility: 11th graders who are US citizens residing in Texas
This is a yearlong program that you can consider adding to your wishlist if you are interested in exploring space or NASA. It starts off as an online program that runs from October to March, where you will cover topics such as the Earth, aeronautics, the International Space Station, Moon to Mars, and the solar system. If you perform excellently in this online session, you will be invited to a five-day virtual summer experience (Moonshot). Additionally, if you are a top-performing candidate at Moonshot, NASA welcomes you for a residential experience at its Johnson Space Centre free of cost.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts/year of varying lengths (12 weeks to a year); upcoming winter cohorts start on December 16 and January 20
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; November 24 and December 29 for winter cohorts
Eligibility: All high school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar program is designed for high school students who wish to conduct research and compose their own academic paper on a diverse range of subjects. You too can benefit from the program if you want to write an academic paper in physics. While in this program, you will receive training in researching, collecting data, scientific writing, and more, which would subsequently help you author a research paper. There is a PhD mentor to assist you throughout the program. Lumiere offers different programs to choose from; you can opt for the one that fits your schedule, budget, and publishing requirements.
5. Quantum and Laser Fusion Science Summer Camp
Location: Casper College, Casper, Wyoming
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 23
Dates: July 10 - July 25
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students who have taken a physics course
In this camp, organized by the Texas A&M University’s Institute for Quantum Science & Engineering, you will explore some important topics under quantum science in depth through lectures and lab activities. Your sessions will be conducted by researchers, scientists, and professors from the university. By the end of the camp, you will have learnt different physics concepts such as polarisation, superposition, quantum computing, counterfactual communication, and more.
6. Saturday Morning Physics
Location: George P. Mitchell Physics Building, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Fourth week of January to Second week of March (every Saturday)
Application Deadline: Open until the day of the event (9:50 am)
Eligibility: All high school students
As a program that has been running for more than 15 years, Saturday Morning Physics has taught high school students in Texas the different fundamental concepts of Physics. The program covers topics such as quantum computing, dark matter, information-age physics, order in chaos, observational cosmology, and neutron stars, among others. By registering for SMP, you will listen to lectures from scientists working at the university, thus gaining expert insight into the different physics topics. There are seven lectures in total, and you get a diploma certificate if you attend five of them.
7. STARBASE Summer Camp Programs
Location: Starbase Houston, Houston, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June - August (each camp is 20 hours long)
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: All school students
Determined to make learning STEM subjects like physics fun, this summer camp program covers topics that go beyond the school syllabus. Your schedule will mostly involve doing experiments and simultaneously discovering and learning new concepts through them. Being enrolled in this camp, you will learn about various physics-related topics like rocketry, robotics, drone technology, and more.
8. Women in Physics Camp
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Free; $25 for your t-shirt and on-campus lunch for 1 day
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Space is limited
Dates: June 8 - June 12 for the beginners camp; June 1 - 5 for the advanced camp
Application Deadline: April 13
Eligibility: Rising 7th to 12th graders
The Women in Physics Camp focuses on teaching you physics through experiments. You will be exposed to many interesting concepts that include mechanics, electromagnetism, rockets, optics, astronomy, engineering, planetary science, and more. As a first-time participant, you can apply for the beginner's camp, and then the following summer, you can try the advanced camp, where you will study space, build circuits, and learn more complex topics in Physics. Given that there are many staff working in the program, the camp ensures you get the support you need.
9. TCU Research Apprentices Program (RAP)
Location: TCU College of Science and Engineering, Fort Worth, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends are provided for the research project you are selected for
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: RAP runs all year long
Application Deadline: RAP interest forms are open all year long
Eligibility: All high school students
If selected for this program, you will have the chance to participate in research projects led by professors at Texas Christian University and even get your byline in research journals. Your role will involve working with modern lab equipment, prepping for experiments, writing research presentations and papers, and more. With the TCU Department of Physics & Astronomy looking for high school students to join their research teams, you are sure to find a research opportunity that interests you the most. You will also get to attend scientific conferences and competitions.
10. National Quantum STEM camp
Location: James Martin High School, Arlington, Texas
Cost: $20
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50
Dates: June 23 - June 26
Application Deadline: Varies by the event
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders
Quantum For All organizes different camps and workshops all year long to prepare you for a career in quantum physics. This also includes the newly launched National Quantum STEM Camp. Here, you will study topics such as cryptography, the photoelectric effect, Malus's Law, superposition, and more. You also have the opportunity to participate in research studies while you are at the camp; however, it is not compulsory.
11. Physics Olympics
Location: University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 20
Dates: May 15
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students in Texas
Every year, the University of North Texas’s Physics department organizes a one-day event titled the Physics Olympics. High school students like you are invited to participate in contests like catapult launches, egg drops, bridge-building challenges, and physics-themed scavenger hunts, all of which are designed to use and develop your understanding of different physics concepts. Every activity will require you to apply physics formulas. You will also get to explore different lab equipment, like nanowires, laser spectroscopy, and ion beams. Moreover, if you are part of the winning team, you will receive a $1000 scholarship if you decide to study physics at UNT.
12. Consider Every Option (CEO) Day Camps
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Cost/Stipend: $200 for the one-day camps; $350 for the two-day camps
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30
Dates: One- or two-day camps across June and July
Application Deadline: Opens in January and closes when the camp reaches its capacity
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th-graders
The COE is a series of camps that allow you to explore subjects across the STEM areas. If you are interested in physics, you will particularly enjoy the CEO: STEM in Sky & Space camp, the CEO: STEM in Robotics camp, and the High Tech & Semiconductors program, among others. Your schedule in one of these camps will typically include participating in lab activities, having career-related discussions with industry experts, touring research labs and museums, and much more. By the end of the camp, you will have gained many essential tips needed to study or pursue a career in the field.
13. STARS Summer Science Camps (Physics)
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Centre, Dallas, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Dates: July 10 - July 18
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Current 10th graders
This camp is catered to high school students who will be taking 11th-grade physics in the upcoming academic year. Your schedule will include lab exercises focused on principles like motion, optics, electricity, resonance, and more. It ensures that you feel confident about the subject and are well-prepared to conduct lab experiments with minimal guidance. You will also participate in additional activities like the Straw Rocket Competition.
14. University of Texas Research & Statistics Camp
Location: The University of Texas, Austin, Texas
Cost: $2,700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 - July 24 and June 30 - July 3
Application Deadline: Applications open in Spring and are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th graders with a minimum score of 85 in Math, Science & English, and who scored at least 70 in other subjects
At this camp, you'll learn how to do university-level research. Your syllabus will include classes in research & inquiry, statistics, and technical writing, ensuring that your research on a chosen subject, like physics, is well-researched and well-written. You will also get to explore the lab facilities at the university. Additionally, you will also have the chance to explore career and college opportunities through seminars from guest speakers. At any point, if you need extra guidance at the camp, there are teachers and student interns to support you.
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