15 Physics Summer Programs for High School Students in California
If you are a high school student interested in physics, summer programs are an excellent opportunity for you to immerse yourself in physics topics that go beyond the classroom. These programs combine lectures and experiments to help you apply theory to real-world scenarios and explore fields such as mechanics and astrophysics, while building research, analysis, and problem-solving skills. They also offer industry talks and networking events that not only help you expand your knowledge of physics but also learn about career prospects in the field.
California boasts numerous prestigious universities and organizations that provide summer programs. These programs are advantageous for high school students residing in the state, who can save time and money on travel, and are also open to out-of-state students who want to explore academic opportunities in the state. You can work with and learn from experts and researchers in the field, helping you build a network.
In this blog, we’ve listed 15 physics summer programs for high school students in California to help you consider your options.
1. Summer Research Connection
Location: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 8 – 10 students
Dates: June to August (exact dates vary each year)
Application Deadline: Early January to late March
Eligibility: High school students from the Pasadena Unified School District
This program is your chance to work in Caltech’s advanced science labs while simultaneously learning from a research mentor who assists you. Past participants of Summer Research Connection have completed some fascinating research projects, including ‘Analyzing Dark Matter and Its Indirect Detection,’ ‘Comparison between simulated observational and true radial profiles for FIRE-2 galaxies,’ and more. You can expect to work on something similar, and once you are done with your research, you will present it, and a recording of it will be posted on Caltech’s YouTube channel, Caltech Educational Outreach.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12- to 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. 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. 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.
3. QCaMP (Quantum, Computing, Mathematics, & Physics)
Location: Various locations, including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Alameda County, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipends provided for participation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies each year
Dates: June 30 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have a basic knowledge of algebra
The QCaMP program is designed for high school students who are interested in quantum physics. Over the course of the program, you will become familiar with major computing and quantum physics theories, which you can implement in solving computing problems. Using this knowledge, you will build circuits on a quantum computer. In addition to expanding your knowledge of quantum physics, you will also attend career talks and Q&A sessions that help you gain a better understanding of the field.
4. Horizon Labs (Fluid Dynamics and Physics)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 26%
Dates: Cohorts available in Spring (starts on March 9), Fall (starts on September 21), and Winter (starts on December 15); the duration of each cohort is 16 weeks
Application Deadline: February 15 for the Spring cohort, August 31 for the Fall cohort, and November 23 for the Winter cohort
Eligibility: High school students from grades 9 to 12; priority will be given to students who have taken one year of classes in physics and calculus if choosing the fluid dynamics and physics track
Horizon Academic Research Program’s Horizon Labs has the fluid dynamics and physics subcategory catered to students like you who are interested in physics. As a participant, you have the opportunity to work on pre-approved research topics that include oceanic or atmospheric waves, vortices, solidification of fluids, and more (see the full list here), or you can choose some other physics-related topic. The program requires participants to write a 20-page academic paper on their chosen research topic. This process includes 15 one-on-one sessions with a PhD or post-doctoral scholar, four sessions with a writing coach, and four sessions with a publication specialist.
5. SDSU Training Astronomy Research Scholars (STARS)
Location: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 students
Dates: June 24 – July 19
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students who live in San Diego area
STARS is a research program for students interested in celestial objects and space where you can join San Diego State University faculty on their astronomy projects. You will work on projects that cover major topics such as galaxy formation, binary star systems, supernovae, and more. Through your participation, you will gain knowledge in the scientific and programming processes that go behind astronomy projects. You will also become well equipped in using powerful telescopes.
6. Physics in and Through Cosmology
Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Alameda County, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~37 students
Dates: June 16 – 18 and 20
Application Deadline: Opens March 18 and closes once all spots are filled
Eligibility: High school students who can commute to LBNL
Physics in and Through Cosmology is another physics summer program for high school students in California who are interested in astronomy. By enrolling in the program, you get to work on experiments surrounding the Higgs boson particle, neutrino physics, dark matter, and more. You will also attend lectures conducted by the faculty of scientists and postdocs at LBNB. Moreover, the most-talked-about part of the program is that it invites Nobel Prize winners like George Smoot and Saul Perlmutter, who both won prizes in the field of astrophysics, to address participants about their research and their experience in the field.
7. Sally Ride Science Academy
Location: UC San Diego, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies by workshop
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 6 – July 24
Application Deadline: Opens in January
Eligibility: Students of all classes (K1 - 12)
This summer program offers high school students the opportunity to work on projects across various subjects, including science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The program offers workshops at various levels, including advanced ones specifically designed for high school students in grades 9 to 12. If you're a physics enthusiast, you can opt for workshops that focus on space exploration, robotics, and other physics-centered topics. The ultimate goal of the program is to get you excited about a career in STEM.
8. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
Location: UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost/Stipend: $5,175 (Commuter) | $12,474 (Residential)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11 who have a minimum GPA of 3.8; some 9th graders who can prove advanced knowledge can apply
This research program assigns each participant a mentor so that they can work on a research project under their guidance. There is a pre-approved list of research areas for you to choose from, and the list includes STEM-focused topics like physics as well. By participating in the program, you will become familiar with different research techniques and explore career opportunities related to research. You will also listen to GRIT talks, a series of lectures where industry experts discuss their research with you.
9. UC Berkeley’s Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP): Applied Physics
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: $915 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 18 – 24 students
Dates: June 30 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school students from grades 9 to 12 who have previously attended algebra, trigonometry, and integrated maths classes
ATDP offers a challenging program for academically strong high school students, including various subjects such as applied physics. In it, you will learn Newton’s three laws in depth and work on experiments with your fellow classmates. You will also learn how to record experiments and analyze them. You will have the chance to work on a project of your choice and present it to the class at the end of the program.
10. 3 Pasos Research Program
Location: California Baptist University, Riverside, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 2 – June 19
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders
Encouraging more underrepresented students to enter the STEM field, the 3 Pasos has different programs aimed at high school and college students. The research program gives you the opportunity to work on STEM experiments while also receiving mentorship that aims to get you more interested in the subject. This educational experience will allow you to learn various concepts and research techniques as you work on your projects.
11. Advanced Physics Summer Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland; past participants have included students from California
Cost: $375
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: Opens first week of January
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th grade high school students
For high school students who prefer hands-on physics, the Advanced Physics Summer program is an option to consider. You can gain valuable experience through various physics experiments, including soldering, coding, and robotics. These skills can be highly beneficial for anyone considering a future in physics or a related field. The program also features lab visits, offering exposure to diverse areas of physics research.
12. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Location: Various campuses under the University of California
Cost/Stipend: Program costs $5,256 + $44 application fee (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 160 – 200 participants per campus
Dates: July 6 – August 1 or August 2 (end date varies based on the UC campus)
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 8-12 who are enrolled in a high school in California and preferably have a GPA of 3.5 or higher
Hosted at various college campuses that are part of the University of California, COSMOS is a physics summer program for high school students who are keen on exploring STEM topics. This includes subjects such as physics that extend beyond the school syllabus. You will also do some practical experiments in addition to your theoretical classes. Industry experts such as professors, scientists, and researchers teach your classes and also help you figure out which STEM-related career would be suitable for you.
13. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 to 11; despite the program’s name, students of any gender can apply
Determined to push more high school students to become physicists, the Stanford Physics Department and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology started the SPINWIP program. In this three-week program, you will study many intriguing physics topics, like quantum mechanics, astrophysics, cosmology, and more. Your syllabus will also involve learning to code in Python so that you can use it in physics projects. You will also participate in college and career preparedness workshops that give you an outlook on having a career as a physics major.
14. Frontiers in Physics
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $3,080 (need-based scholarship available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 16 – June 27 (Session 1) | July 7 – July 18 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 and 11 who have previously attended algebra, trigonometry, and physics classes
Frontiers in Physics is an online summer program scheduled with online classes for two hours per day on weekdays and an hour allocated for office hours. This intensive course focuses primarily on quantum mechanics, particle physics, and Einstein's theory of relativity. Additionally, students are expected to dedicate two to three hours to homework. You will also be given assignments such as writing a scientific article on relativity and a general-audience article on a topic in modern physics, and conducting an experiment to confirm the wave nature of light.
15. UCLA Summer Sessions
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $350 registration fee; one physics course is typically 5 credits and costs approximately $2,386 according to UCLA’s fee calculator (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks between June and September; exact schedule varies by the chosen course
Application Deadline: Opens on February 15, and the deadline varies by session
Eligibility: High school students from all over the world
One way to have a productive summer vacation is to attend college-level classes taught by UCLA professors. UCLA's physics department offers a diverse range of courses, including electricity and magnetism, mechanics and energy, and thermodynamics. These are just some of the many options available across various UCLA departments. You can enroll in one or two courses and earn a maximum of ten credits, but be sure to verify that none of your sessions overlap.
Image Source - San Diego State University logo