15 Programs for High School Students in Maryland
If you’re a high school student interested in exploring your academic interests, participating in a structured program outside of school can be a solid addition to your profile. These programs often provide opportunities to develop practical skills and gain experience in your chosen field. Additionally, you'll have the chance to establish valuable connections and collaborate with faculty, graduate students, or industry professionals.
Maryland is home to numerous esteemed universities and research institutes that provide programs for high school students, including Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to join programs focusing on robotics, engineering, biomedical sciences, and more. With a diverse selection of options, along with excellent mentors and resources, you can gain a valuable advantage for your future career by enrolling in one of these programs in Maryland.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 programs for high school students in Maryland.
1. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Available in all 50 states in the U.S.
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: 8 weeks from June – August
Application Deadline: November 21 – January 25
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week summer internship and mentoring program for underrepresented high school students with an interest in fisheries and aquatic science. During the program, you’ll be matched with fisheries professionals who guide you through hands-on activities set in marine or freshwater environments. You’ll engage in activities such as electrofishing, fish tagging and tracking, and ecosystem restoration. You’ll analyse data, conduct research, and develop practical skills needed for the field. You’ll be expected to work 32-40 hours a week on a schedule determined between you and your mentor.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI, started and run by Harvard grad students, offers programs for high schoolers who are passionate about artificial intelligence. If you're new to AI, ML, and data science, the AI Scholars program is a good fit. Over 10 sessions, you'll learn the basics of AI and data science and get to work on real-world projects. For those who are more experienced with AI concepts and Python, there's the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, where you’ll work one-on-one with mentors from top universities on a unique project. You’ll also have access to the in-house publication team to help you get your work published in high school research journals. You can apply to the program here.
3. Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE)
Location: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine’s East Baltimore Campus, MD
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: June 23 – August 14
Application Deadline: November 1 – February 1
Eligibility: High school students from an educationally under-resourced background whose household income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty limit
The Summer Academic Research Experience (SARE) is designed for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in medicine or biomedical science. As a participant, you’ll acquire lab experience by conducting experiments with guidance from doctoral-level mentors. The program also incorporates coursework in subjects such as science, mathematics, writing, and bioethics to enhance your academic skills. In addition to lab work, you’ll focus on developing practical abilities such as public speaking, effective communication, and networking. There may also be opportunities to contribute to ongoing research projects with the potential for publication. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work in a formal scientific setting.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides extensive one-on-one research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas for you to explore. During the program, you will be matched with a Ph.D. mentor who will work with you on an independent research project. You can choose topics from fields like psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Various labs across the country, including Maryland
Stipend: $4,000 (first-year interns); $4,500 (returning interns)
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; Exact dates vary by lab
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (16+) with good academic standing; Check specific lab requirements here
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers eight-week summer research opportunities in a Department of the Navy laboratory. As a participant, you’ll work with scientists and engineers to gain practical experience in Naval research and technology. You’ll learn about the tools and techniques employed in professional science and engineering, along with technical and analytical skills. The experience is a good way to help you understand your interests and add to your college applications.
6. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Internships
Location: The majority of internships take place in Annapolis, MD, but may also be located across the state of Maryland
Stipend: Paid and volunteer internships are available
Dates: 10-12 weeks from June to August (summer) and October to December (fall)
Application Deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 2.5 GPA
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Internships are an opportunity to participate in an environmental project. As a DNR intern, your tasks may include inspecting marina equipment, assisting in the design of shoreline restoration efforts, or collecting biological data from rivers. You’ll learn about conservation, fisheries science, outdoor recreation planning, and environmental education. You’ll also develop skills in research, environmental monitoring, and communicating with the community. At the conclusion of the internship, you’ll present a summary of your work to DNR staff.
7. Morgan State University School of Computer, Mathematical & Natural Sciences Pre-college Programs: Summer Academy of Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences
Location: Virtual + final week at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 29 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 28 (priority); April 30 (general)
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th graders, or graduating seniors entering Morgan State; Must be interested in math, actuarial science, or computer science
The Summer Academy of Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences (SAAMS) at Morgan State University is a four-week hybrid program for high school students. For the first three weeks, you’ll attend virtual lessons and seminars, and work on case studies in actuarial science, mathematics, and computer science. In the final week of the program, you will live on campus with your peers and go on program-related field trips. You’ll also compete in an actuarial science competition, attend workshops on career skills, and learn the college admissions process.
8. The Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research: High School Internship Program
Location: IBBR Commons, Rockville, MD
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies by session; Summer and academic year sessions available
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: High school rising juniors or seniors (16+)
The Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research offers eight-week research internships in biotechnology to students from Montgomery County Public Schools. If selected, you will participate in ongoing research projects under the mentorship of an IBBR scientist. You can choose from two tracks: a full-year internship or a summer-only program. The first is a full-year commitment with both an internship in the summer and in the academic year. Here, you can receive a stipend for the summer and an MCPS Internship course credit for the academic semesters. For both tracks, at the end of the internship, you will give a poster presentation.
9. Biophysics Research for Baltimore Teens
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: Paid
Dates: July 8 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 28 (tentative)
Eligibility: Baltimore City high school students
This research program at Johns Hopkins allows high school students to work in a teaching lab using specialized equipment. You will learn from two full-time instructors and gain practical experience that can support future research in college. Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty, providing insight into the daily responsibilities of a career in biomedical science. In addition to your lab work, you’ll attend classes that link scientific concepts to your experiments. The organization also offers other pre-college programs for those who wish to explore additional options.
10. Howard County Public School System Apprenticeship Maryland Program
Location: Various locations in Maryland
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies based on your project
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school seniors
The Apprenticeship Maryland Program is a career and technical education program for high school students who are interested in beginning their career while in high school. The program includes a combination of on-the-job training at a local business and one year of industry-related classroom instruction. You can choose from topics in technology, healthcare, trades, or others, and work a minimum of 450 hours. Many apprenticeships lead directly to full-time employment. You’ll learn industry-specific credentials and receive guidance from industry experts to help you progress along your career pathway.
11. ASPIRE APL John Hopkins
Location: Virtual or in-person at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 24 – August 21
Application Deadline: January 1 – February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors (15+) with a minimum GPA of 2.8 and permanent residency in a Maryland county
ASPIRE is a highly selective research internship with an acceptance rate of 10%. It’s hosted by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and is aimed at high school students interested in a career in STEM. As a participant, you will be matched with a staff mentor at APL to work on a research project from eight placement areas, including computer science, data analysis, engineering, or physical sciences. The program focuses on developing both technical and professional skills through the submission of your final digital research poster. You can opt for an in-person or fully virtual internship, and you can continue the ASPIRE experience into the school year.
12. ESTEEM/SER-Quest Summer Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a 3.2+ GPA and no C's in math and science courses; More details in the “Eligibility” section
The Engineering Science and Technology to Energize and Expand Young Minds (ESTEEM) Summer Engineering Research (SER)-Quest is a four-week research-focused program sponsored by the Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering. During the program, you’ll explore engineering through an independent research project, where you will develop the research proposal, complete a literature search, and review the project. Additionally, you’ll attend workshops on how to apply to college and network with undergraduate and graduate students through engineering-focused activities. The key target area of the program is underrepresented ethnic groups: African American, American Indian, Pacific Islander, and Latino/Hispanic.
13. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: November 1 – January
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA; Must be living near the NIST Gaithersburg or NIST Boulder campus
The NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) allows you to work alongside NIST scientists and engineers on research projects in areas such as physics, chemistry, computer science, and engineering. Depending on your placement, you’ll gain practical experience using lab equipment, analyzing data, and programming. You can be assigned to one of NIST’s six laboratories: Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL), Engineering Laboratory (EL), Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR), or Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML).
14. University of Maryland, Baltimore County: Summer Enrichment Academy
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, MD
Cost: $299 – $599, depending on the length and time of the academy
Dates: June 22 – 26, July 6 – 10, July 13 – 17, July 20 – 24, July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering 9th-12th grade
The Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County offers week-long courses for high school students interested in exploring new fields in science, technology, arts, and leadership. Each course combines workshops, collaborative projects, and guided discussions led by faculty and professionals. Past offerings have included topics like AI, optics, financial literacy, and college preparation. Upon completing the program, you will receive a UMBC SEA Digital Microcredential. The program concludes with a showcase, during which you will present your work to family and peers.
15. Johns Hopkins University On-Campus Pre-College Summer Programs
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: 1-credit Pre-College Program: $6,140
Dates: Three two-week sessions available between late June and early August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Successful completion of 9th grade before the program’s start date
The Pre-College Summer Program at Johns Hopkins University offers a rigorous college-level learning experience for high school students. As a participant, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of programs in fields such as medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and more. During the program, you will learn from experienced Hopkins instructors and have the opportunity to connect with peers from around the world. Additionally, there are extracurricular activities designed to foster connections among classmates, instructors, and mentors.
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