15 Physics Summer Programs for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
As a high school student interested in science, attending a physics summer program can help you explore the subject in more depth while building useful academic skills. These programs allow you to learn core concepts through experiments, lectures, and guided research with university faculty and mentors. They also give you opportunities to connect with peers and professionals who share your interests, helping you develop your network.
Why should you attend a program in New York City?
In New York City, universities and research institutions such as Columbia, NYU, and CUNY offer structured summer programs that introduce you to the methods used in college-level physics. You might study mechanics, electricity, or astronomy, analyze data, or work with software to simulate physical systems. Whether you live nearby or plan to visit for the summer, these experiences can help you strengthen your understanding of the field and prepare for future studies.
To help you get started, here are 15 physics summer programs for high school students in NYC.
If you are looking for free summer programs in NYC, check out our blog here.
1. CUNY CREST HIRES Program
Location: The City College of New York (CCNY) – Steinman Hall, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 25 to 35 students
Dates: Late June – Mid-August (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: Mid-to-Late March
Eligibility: Current NYC Public/Charter High School student Entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade | GPA 80+ and Math average 80+ | Enrollment in or completion of Algebra 2/Trigonometry or higher
In the CUNY CREST HIRES Program, you explore the physics of our planet through the specialized lens of remote sensing and Earth system sciences. Throughout this seven-week summer residency, you explore topics like atmospheric physics, climate dynamics, and the electromagnetic properties of satellite imaging. You will engage in hands-on activities such as collecting real-world environmental data, coding in Python or MATLAB to model physical systems, and taking field trips to advanced research facilities like the National Weather Service. By the program's end, you will have mastered technical skills in GIS and data analysis, gaining the confidence to present your findings at a university symposium.
2. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; one-on-one mentorship
Dates: Multiple 10–15 week cohorts across the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students and advanced middle schoolers; the AI Fellowship specifically expects prior AI Scholars experience or equivalent AI and Python knowledge
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which 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. 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. Baruch College Now – STEM Research Academy
Location: Baruch College (CUNY), New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,575 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 25 students
Dates: Mid-July – mid-August
Application Deadline: Typically December
Eligibility: NYC public high school students in 10th or 11th grade who have an overall 80+ average
Baruch’s STEM Research Academy familiarizes students with research design, data analysis, and scientific writing before they begin mentored summer projects. During the spring term, you learn how to read scientific literature, develop research questions, and plan small-scale studies. In the summer, you apply those skills to real projects in STEM fields, sometimes involving quantitative or physics-related topics, depending on mentor expertise. The program gives students a chance to use campus facilities and understand what it is like to study at a CUNY institution in midtown Manhattan.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Physics Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; one-on-one student to mentor ratio
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, winter, spring, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with strong academic records (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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 physics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. CCNY STEM Research Academy
Location: City College of New York (CCNY), Manhattan, NYC
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,575 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 25 students
Dates: July 6 – 26
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: NYC public high school 10th or 11th graders (spring semester) with a minimum overall GPA of 80, plus either a 75+ on NYS ELA or Living Environment/Earth Science Regents, or an 85+ in English or U.S. History, and a passing score of 66+ in at least one NYS Regents math exam (Algebra, Algebra II, or Geometry)
The CCNY STEM Research Academy offers high school students a hands-on introduction to the world of higher education by embedding them directly into university labs. Under the mentorship of expert faculty, you dive into authentic projects across disciplines like physics, biology, and engineering, where you learn to navigate the complexities of data analysis and experimental design. Beyond technical laboratory skills, the program focuses on college readiness through specialized workshops and seminars. By the time summer concludes, you will have translated your hard work into professional presentations or reports, effectively showcasing your academic development and your contributions to the scientific community.
6. American Museum of Natural History – Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $2,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 40 students
Dates: August – June
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade high school students who live and attend school in New York and are passing classes for the last three or more semesters. | Should be taking or have completed a course in any one of the programs listed here
In this year-long museum residency, you transition from a student to a junior researcher by tackling unresolved questions alongside expert physics mentors. You engage in discovery through projects like modeling distant galaxies or analyzing complex physical systems. Your weekly sessions focus on practical expertise, specifically sharpening your skills in coding, data interpretation, and reading technical scientific literature. By performing real experiments in a professional lab environment, you learn to collaborate with a team and communicate your breakthroughs. This experience bridges the gap between classroom learning and modern physics.
7. Columbia University – Astroparticle Physics Summer School
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None (Minimal to zero tuition)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 10–15 students
Dates: June 26 – July 3
Application Deadline: Early to mid-spring
Eligibility: Advanced high school students (typically, juniors and seniors)
This program focuses on the intersection of particle physics and astrophysics, such as cosmic rays, dark matter, neutrinos, and high-energy astrophysical phenomena. You will work in small teams to build a cloud chamber from scratch using the Peltier effect, allowing you to visually track the ionized paths of charged particles as they zip through the vapor in real-time. You will also conduct muon lifetime experiments by measuring the decay of cosmic rays in scintillators and utilize Python-based numerical methods to analyze data from global observatories like VERITAS. The program also involves field trips to world-class research hubs, such as Columbia University’s Nevis Labs and the American Museum of Natural History.
8. Rockefeller University – Summer Science Research Program (SSRP)
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost / need-based travel stipends are given
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; approximately 32 students per summer
Dates: June 22 – August 6
Application Deadline: January 2
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who will be at least 16 years old by the program start date
SSRP is a seven-week mentored research experience where students join teams led by Rockefeller scientists and educators, working in modern teaching labs on questions shaped by student interests. The program follows a clear structure: initial weeks introduce techniques and broad topics, middle weeks focus on exploring student-driven research questions, and final weeks emphasize data analysis and presentation preparation. In addition to lab work, you attend workshops and seminars on scientific careers, ethics, and communication. The experience concludes with a campus-wide symposium where teams present their findings. For New York City students seeking intensive, no-cost research training, SSRP is one of the most competitive options available.
9. Hunter College – College Now Courses: Astronomy 100: Introduction to Astronomy
Location: Hunter College Main Campus, NYC
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 20–25 students per section
Dates: Summer session: Early July – Mid-August (typically 6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Late March to Early April
Eligibility: Current NYC Public HS student (Grades 11–12) | Minimum GPA of 80+ | SAT EBRW 480+ OR ELA Regents 75+
In the Hunter College Now Astronomy 100 program, you will explore the physical processes that shape our universe, from the observational features of the night sky to complex topics such as stellar evolution, dark matter, and the Big Bang. This introductory course emphasizes qualitative understanding over heavy math, making it a unique bridge for high school students to earn three college credits while studying the Copernican revolution and galactic structures. You will engage in hands-on activities such as identifying chemical fingerprints through spectroscopy, analyzing planetary orbits using Kepler’s laws, and evaluating the data behind exoplanet detection. This experience effectively builds your confidence in college-level scholarship within a supportive university environment.
10. Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program
Location: New York University (NYU) – Manhattan Campus
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely Competitive; approximately 80 students
Dates: July 5 – 25
Application Deadline: Typically mid-March
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, or recent graduates who are at least 16 years old by the program start and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In the Simons-NYU Science Explorations Program, you spend three weeks diving into introductory college-level physics alongside four other core scientific disciplines. Your time is split between attending high-level lectures by innovative NYU faculty and conducting hands-on experiments in undergraduate physics labs. You will explore diverse phenomena, often working on projects that involve designing, building, and testing real-world prototypes. Through this immersive experience, you develop essential technical skills like lab safety and experimental design while strengthening your college readiness. By collaborating with world-class researchers, you gain the confidence to pursue complex STEM careers in a supportive academic environment.
11. Barnard College – Pre-Baccalaureate Physics
Location: Barnard College Campus, New York City (Morningside Heights)
Cost: Residential: $10,771; Commuter: $8,160; limited need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size typically kept small to ensure faculty interaction
Dates: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, and recent gap year students
In the Barnard Pre-Baccalaureate Physics program, you join an academic community to tackle college-level mechanics and electromagnetism alongside undergraduate students. You will dive into rigorous coursework covering classical motion, waves, and quantum principles, while gaining hands-on experience through complex laboratory experiments and data analysis. Unique for its integration into the New York City landscape, the program includes site visits to research facilities and career panels with leading scientists. You will actively design your own hypotheses, collaborate on problem-solving challenges, and use professional software to model physical systems. By the end of the summer, you'll have developed quantitative reasoning and laboratory techniques while earning three transferable college credits.
12. Cooper Union – Summer STEM Program
Location: Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: 3-week courses: $3,150; 6-week courses: $5,150
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 18–25 students per class
Dates: 3-week courses, Session 1: July 6 – 13; Session 2: July 27 – August 13 | 6-week courses: July 6 – August 13
Application Deadline: Typically, in March
Eligibility: High school students between 9 – 11th grades; some advanced courses require a 93rd percentile or higher in Math and Chemistry
The Cooper Union Summer STEM Program offers project-based courses that bring together physics, engineering, architecture, and technology. You may work on designing and testing structures, building devices, or exploring energy and sustainability concepts, depending on the track you choose. Instruction takes place in Cooper Union’s labs, studios, and maker spaces, emphasizing collaboration and iterative design. Each course culminates in a final product or presentation that showcases what you have learned. For New York City students, Cooper Union’s central location and reputation add to the appeal of its summer STEM offerings.
13. Fordham University – Rose Hill Physics Summer Session
Location: Rose Hill Campus (Bronx, NY)
Cost: $1,134 per credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typical class size is 15–25 students
Dates: Session I: May 26 – June 25; Session II: June 30 – August 4
Application Deadline: Season I: Early May; Session II: Early June
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (and exceptional rising juniors) with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Fordham University Rose Hill Physics Summer Session explores a wide breadth of topics, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and modern physics. At the same time, specialized electives dive into astronomy, climate change, and the physics of everyday life. You will spend your days conducting sophisticated laboratory experiments, performing telescope observations during night labs, and utilizing computational tools for data analysis. The program’s "Pre-College" structure allows you to earn transferable college credits while enjoying the Gothic-inspired beauty of the 85-acre Bronx campus. Through this immersion, you’ll develop essential skills in quantitative reasoning, technical writing, and collaborative problem-solving.
14. Columbia University Pre-College – Physics and Related Courses
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Varies based on session length and format (residential, commuter, or online)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by course and session
Dates: Multiple summer sessions typically from late June through early August; dates vary as per format
Application Deadline: Varies as per format
Eligibility: High school students who meet course-specific prerequisites, which may include minimum grade levels and prior algebra, calculus, or science coursework
Columbia’s pre-college offerings include courses such as Mathematical Methods in Physics, introductory astronomy, and advanced math subjects that support deeper study of physics. You enroll in intensive classes taught by Columbia-affiliated instructors, following syllabi that resemble undergraduate courses with frequent meetings, assignments, and final projects or exams. You can choose residential, commuter, or online formats depending on the year’s structure and your needs. For high school students in New York City, these programs provide a rigorous academic environment and a preview of college-level expectations in physics and related disciplines.
15. NYU GSTEM
Location: NYU Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $5,750; optional housing with meals: $3,840; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 40 students each year
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade high school students (rising seniors) in the U.S.
NYU GSTEM is a prestigious six-week summer intensive program for rising high school juniors with a passion for scientific discovery. By embedding you directly into faculty-led laboratories, the program offers a glimpse into professional research within disciplines like data science, mathematics, and physics. You actively collaborate with graduate mentors to master sophisticated technical methods. Beyond the bench, specialized workshops sharpen the professional communication skills necessary for high-level academia. This rigorous journey culminates at a formal symposium, where you present your original findings to a community of peers and experts.
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