15 Best Tech Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in technology, joining a structured tech program is a great way to move beyond classroom learning and start building practical tech skills. These programs allow you to explore fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, data science, aerospace systems, biomedical research, and advanced engineering through guided work. Instead of only studying theory, you may find yourself writing code, analyzing real datasets, building hardware prototypes, contributing to defense research, or developing autonomous systems. Many programs are hosted by major universities, federal laboratories, and national research institutions, giving you exposure to professional research and engineering environments.
What are the benefits of a tech program?
Tech programs give you the chance to gain practical tech experience in a range of fields. Depending on the program, you may find yourself programming drones or robotic vehicles, designing and testing microelectronics, applying machine learning to medical or geospatial data, supporting cybersecurity analysis, or assisting with oceanographic and biomedical research. You will often work in teams, use industry-relevant tools, and receive direct mentorship from scientists, engineers, or university faculty. Several of these programs culminate in final showcases, competitions, or research symposia where you present your work, helping you build scientific communication and public speaking skills alongside technical expertise.
To help you choose the right option, we’ve narrowed our list to the 15 best tech programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online STEM programs, check out our blog here.
1. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Accepted students receive a stipend, but the exact amount is not specified
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Around 5% acceptance rate
Program dates: June 14 – July 31, with an online orientation on May 29, June 10, and June 11 (tentative; subject to change)
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wisconsin
In the Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, you will spend six weeks working in a university research lab alongside faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students. You will participate in ongoing projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, computer science, quantum physics, electrical engineering, bioengineering, cancer immunology, neuroscience, and materials science, depending on your assigned research group. Previous participants have contributed to projects involving quantum sensing, supercomputer simulations of black holes, graphene-based sensors, or machine learning applications. In addition to 30–35 hours of research per week, you will attend weekly seminars on scientific communication, research poster design, and the college admissions process. The program concludes with a research poster symposium where you present your findings to the university community. Housing, meals, and a monetary award are provided to all participants.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High school students. 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 looking to get started in 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 have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity 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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. MIT THINK Scholars Program
Location: Virtual | Finalists might get invited on a four-day, all-expenses-paid trip to MIT's campus
Cost/Stipend: Free | Finalists receive up to $1,000 in funding
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Up to 6 finalists are selected
Program dates: Semifinalists will be announced on January 30, and finalists on February 5 | Finalists have until June to complete their projects
Application deadline: November 1 – January 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students across the U.S.
The MIT THINK Scholars Program is a student-led research competition organized by MIT undergraduates that supports high school students with original science, technology, or engineering project proposals. If you’re interested in participating in the program, you should submit a detailed proposal outlining a feasible project, such as a software application, green technology solution, engineering device, or other technical innovations, that can be completed in one semester. A panel of MIT students will select up to 6 finalists after reviewing the submitted proposals. If selected, you will receive weekly virtual mentorship from MIT student mentors, funding of up to $1,000 to build your project, and guidance from MIT professors and researchers as you work on your idea. You will also be invited to an all-expenses-paid visit to MIT, where you will tour research labs, attend classes, meet faculty, and present your work to MIT students, fellow finalists, and the THINK team.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Tech Tracks
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Approximately 12.5%
Program dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varies by cohort.
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 data science, computer science, engineering, architecture, astrophysics, medicine, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)’s ASPIRE Program
Location: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Around 10% | Up to 200 students are selected each year
Program dates: June 23 – August 21; select students may even have the opportunity to continue their research into the academic year (September – May)
Application deadline: January 1 – February 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 15 years old | Must be U.S. citizens | Required minimum GPA is 2.8 | Must be a permanent resident of one of the following Maryland counties: Anne Arundel, Baltimore (County or City), Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s; one of the following Virginia counties/cities: Alexandria, Arlington, or Fairfax; or the District of Columbia
The ASPIRE Program at Johns Hopkins University APL is an intensive summer internship that allows you to explore applied STEM careers through full-time, on-site project work. As an intern, you will be paired with an APL staff mentor and spend 30–40 hours per week contributing to projects in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, aerospace and spacecraft engineering, cybersecurity, robotics, quantum algorithms, programming, data analysis, or environmental science. Depending on your placement, you may develop software in Python or C++, prototype drones or autonomous systems, design sensors, conduct experimental lab research, or analyze cybersecurity threats. The program concludes with the ASPIRE Student Showcase, where you present a final poster highlighting your work to the APL community. With mentor approval, some students even get to continue their projects during the academic year, completing additional hours of research and presenting a final poster in May.
6. The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories across the U.S.
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 places high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in DoN laboratories for an eight-week paid summer research experience. You will work directly with Navy scientists and engineers on active research projects in areas such as computer programming, cybersecurity, robotics, ocean sciences, geospatial information systems, biomedical research, and advanced engineering systems. Depending on your lab placement, you may assist with developing software tools, analyzing radar or defense systems, supporting oceanographic modeling, contributing to AI or machine learning applications, or participating in biomedical and infectious disease research. Throughout the program, you will collaborate with professional researchers, attend technical meetings or seminars, and gain experience in research methods, data analysis, and technical communication. With approximately 300 placements across more than 38 laboratories nationwide, SEAP offers structured mentorship, hands-on STEM work, and a stipend of $4,000 to $4,500 for all participants.
7. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free, except for a $75 application fee (fee waivers available for students with demonstrated financial need)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Less than 2.5% | Around 100 students
Program dates: June 28 – August 8
Application deadline: December 10
Eligibility: Current high school juniors | Recommended PSAT Math Scores are 740 or higher and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score is 700 or higher; ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34 (students with lower scores can still apply, but must show strong proof of mathematical, scientific, and academic potential exemplified in recommendations, high school grades, and science activities | Open to both U.S. and international high school students
RSI is a fully-funded, six-week research program that places you in MIT research labs to complete an intensive, mentored STEM research project. You will begin with a week of advanced STEM seminars in subjects such as mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science, followed by a five-week research internship under the guidance of experienced scientists or researchers. You will be matched with a mentor based on your academic interests and background, and you will spend your time at RSI reading primary literature, developing research plans, conducting experiments or computational analyses, and refining your results. You may work on projects in areas such as computer science, robotics, neuroscience, mathematics, physics, or engineering, depending on your placement. The program concludes with a formal symposium, where you will submit a written research paper and deliver a conference-style oral presentation, with select papers and presentations recognized by an external panel of academic and corporate scientists.
8. The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free, except for a $25 application fee | $750
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective, with only 12 high school students accepted each year
Program dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are at least 17 years old | Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
As a participant in The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University, you will spend seven weeks conducting a full-time, faculty-mentored research project on campus. You will be paired with a professor and work in areas such as computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, or economics, depending on your interests and available research placements. Your work may involve laboratory experiments, computational modeling, data analysis, or engineering design, and you will be expected to complete a formal research report by the end of the program. In addition to daily research, you will attend weekly seminars, discussions, and organized field trips designed to complement your academic experience. The program covers room, board, and program activities, and you will receive a stipend upon successful completion of your research project.
9. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition is free, but students are responsible for their own dining and transportation costs. | Stipend available, but the exact amount is not specified
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Less than 5%
Program dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors who are at least 16 years old; check possible research placements here for placement-specific prerequisites
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University introduces high school juniors to hands-on research in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology through direct placements in faculty-led labs. Over the summer, you will be matched with a mentor and join an active research group, where you will work on a defined project in areas such as machine learning, computer science, biomedical informatics, robotics, applied mathematics, or other STEM disciplines. You will engage in laboratory experiments, computational modeling, data analysis using tools such as Python or R, or system design and testing, depending on your assigned lab. In addition to daily research work, you will attend weekly faculty research talks and participate in workshops and program events that introduce you to life at a major research university. The program concludes with the submission of a written research abstract and a formal poster presentation at a closing symposium.
10. Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) @ MIT
Location: Virtual or in-person at MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free for applicants with a family income of less than $200,000; the program costs $2,400 for students with a family income of $200,000 or greater
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 10–12% acceptance rate; 30–40 students per cohort
Program dates: July 6 – August 2 (Students must complete the online prerequisite courses between February 2 and June 19)
Application deadline: March 2 – 30 (registration for online courses begins in December)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9–11 | Only students registered for the online prerequisite courses can apply for the summer program; check here for course-specific prerequisites
BWSI is a four-week, project-based STEM program where you engage in intensive, hands-on coursework in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, quantum software, radar systems, and microelectronics. Hosted by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT’s School of Engineering, the program places you in workshop-style classes where you work in teams to design, build, and test complex technical systems. Depending on your selected course, you may program autonomous drones or robots, develop machine learning models in Python, design semiconductor layouts, build hardware prototypes, and analyze geospatial and satellite data. You will complete structured labs and a capstone project, culminating in a final demonstration showcasing your work.
11. NIST Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST campuses in Boulder, CO, or Gaithersburg, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~4%
Program dates: June 22 – August 7 at the Boulder, CO campus and 10.6% at the Gaithersburg, MD campus | Around 35 students are accepted each year
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who can demonstrate a strong interest in participating in scientific research | Must be U.S. citizens | Must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0/4.0 | Must live within a 50-mile radius of their host campus
SHIP allows you to spend seven weeks working in NIST research laboratories in Boulder, Colorado, or Gaithersburg, Maryland. You will work alongside NIST scientists and engineers on an individual research project at one of the institute’s labs, such as the Information Technology Laboratory, Communications Technology Laboratory, Engineering Laboratory, Material Measurement Laboratory, NIST Center for Neutron Research, or Physical Measurement Laboratory. Depending on your placement, you may assist with projects in areas such as cybersecurity, computer network modeling, wireless communications, robotics and advanced manufacturing systems, semiconductor and nanomaterials research, quantum optics, or detector development. Throughout the internship, you will apply skills in programming, data analysis, electronics, laboratory measurement methods, or computational modeling while receiving direct mentorship from research staff.
12. Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) Summer Internships
Location: Across IALR’s divisions and departments in Southern Virginia and beyond
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns are paid semimonthly; stipends are subject to tax
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Around 13 interns
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 28 (tentative; subject to change)
Eligibility: Open to graduating high school seniors with plans to attend college in the Fall after the internship
IALR Summer Internship program offers an eight-week, paid internship where you work across areas such as information technology, coding and robotics, agriculture technology, biotechnology, data analysis, or economic development. During the internship, you will complete 224 hours of professional work under the guidance of an assigned mentor. Previous interns in technical roles have applied programming and mathematics concepts to robotics platforms, studied plant growth in research centers, and supported cybersecurity and IT operations. You will collaborate with staff across departments and follow a structured work schedule to meet defined project goals. The internship concludes with final presentations where you summarize your work and contribute to IALR’s broader initiatives.
13. UCSF’s Radiology Initiative for Scholarly Engagement (RISE Program)
Location: UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | High school students will receive a stipend of $3,000
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective, with a small cohort of students
Program dates: June 1 – July 1 (start dates are flexible, and the program typically spans eight weeks)
Application deadline: TBA; applications typically open in December
Eligibility: Open to high school, college, and medical students | Students who have previously participated in the RISE Program cannot reapply
RISE Program is an eight-week summer research program that allows you to explore radiology through hands-on basic science, translational, or clinical research. You will be matched with a faculty mentor and join an active research project in areas such as body imaging, neuroimaging, vascular and cardiac imaging, intelligent imaging, advanced imaging technologies, or molecular probes and therapy. Throughout the summer, you will work closely with your faculty mentor, building a sustained academic relationship while gaining exposure to research methodologies used in biomedical imaging. The program culminates in the submission of an abstract and a presentation at the department’s Summer Students Symposium.
14. Argonne National Laboratory’s Big Data Camp
Location: Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Up to 30 students
Program dates: July 21 – 25 (tentative; based on previous years)
Application deadline: Early March – April 21 (tentative; based on previous years)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who have basic coding experience in a computer language (C, Python, Java, etc.)
The Big Data Camp at Argonne National Laboratory is a free, five-day summer program that introduces you to data science through hands-on analysis of research data. Hosted at Argonne’s Lemont campus and led by scientists from the Leadership Computing Facility, the camp places you in a workshop environment where you will use professional tools to investigate scientific questions. You will practice forming research questions, working with datasets, and creating clear data visualizations to uncover patterns and relationships. Designed for current high school juniors and seniors with basic experience in computer coding languages such as Python, Java, or C, the camp serves as an introduction to applying coding skills in scientific research contexts.
15. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer Intern Program
Location: Virtual or in-person at UT Austin Center for Space Research (CSR), Austin, TX
Cost: $2,000 (full tuition scholarships and travel scholarships available); the program is completely free for virtual interns
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 10%
Program dates: July 5 – 18 (On-site internships) | June – July 21 (Virtual internship; exact dates vary by project) | Virtual Science Symposium for both on-site and virtual interns is on July 20 – 21 | SEES distance learning Modules will be available from May 15 – July 1
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who have not worked as a SEES intern previously | Must be at least 16 years old | Must be U.S. citizens
As a participant in the SEES Summer Intern Program at the UT Austin CSR, you will work on mission-based research projects guided by NASA scientists, university researchers, and industry mentors. You will complete structured distance learning modules in Earth and space science or Python before collaborating with your project team through eight remote sessions or an on-site research experience in Austin, Texas. The program emphasizes hands-on analysis of NASA mission data and applied technical work, which may include remote sensing techniques, processing satellite imagery, modeling engineering systems, designing high-altitude balloon payloads, coding with tools such as Arduino, or analyzing data from twin satellites that are making detailed measurements of Earth’s gravity field changes. Throughout the internship, you will engage in team meetings, participate in field investigations for select projects, and receive guidance from your mentors. The experience concludes with a formal presentation at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium, where you share your project findings with NASA experts, peers, and guests.
Image source - MIT Logo