12 Physics Programs for High School Students in Boston
As a high school student, physics programs offer you a structured way to explore advanced concepts beyond what is typically covered in a standard classroom. Through labs, computational modeling, engineering challenges, or research projects, you will develop practical skills in data analysis, problem solving, and scientific reasoning. Many physics programs also expose you to specialized topics such as astrophysics, quantum mechanics, robotics, or applied engineering, helping you test your interests before college.
Why should you attend a program in Boston?
Boston is home to a dense network of universities, research labs, hospitals, and technology companies that actively advance physics and related disciplines and offer learning opportunities for high school students. As a result, physics programs in Boston often draw on university laboratories, industry partnerships, and research-driven instruction. You may encounter opportunities tied to aerospace, artificial intelligence, or materials science within the same metropolitan area.
To help make it easier to find options, we have narrowed down 12 physics programs for high school students in Boston.
If you’re looking for programs in Boston, check out our blog here.
1.Northeastern University’s Young Scholar Program (YSP)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 – 32 students/year
Dates: June 22 – July 30
Application deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who live within commuting distance of Northeastern University and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
YSP is a six-week research program that allows you to work directly in university laboratories alongside faculty in engineering, science, and health sciences. You will work on a project that may involve computational modeling, materials research, or applied physics problems connected to energy and biomedical systems.In addition to lab work, you will attend an Introduction to Engineering seminar series covering topics such as superconductivity, lasers, microwave materials, and robotics. You will also get to visit research labs, government centers, and technology companies, connecting classroom physics to real-world applications.
2. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 – 15-week cohorts run several times each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI focuses on providing high school students passionate about AI with a supportive environment 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. Museum of Science’s Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Stipend: May be available; exact details not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Six to seven weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Varies by internship; recruitment starts in February/March.
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 19
This internship places students within various museum departments, including Science Interpretation and Education. Your role may involve explaining physical phenomena to the public using the museum’s interactive exhibits, such as the Theater of Electricity. You will receive professional development training and work on specific projects that highlight scientific communication and outreach. The program offers a unique exposure to physics by requiring you to master concepts well enough to teach them to diverse audiences.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Physics Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance
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 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. Wentworth Institute of Technology’s ImpactLab
Location: Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
Cost: $3,995/two-week session; partial tuition assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session One: July 5 – 17 | Session Two: July 19 – 31
Application deadline: Priority deadline: March 13; Final deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders (domestic and international students)
ImpactLab is a residential program that emphasizes the practical application of physics through engineering and technology. You choose a specific focus area, such as Design and the Modern Makerspace or Engineering Innovation, in which physical principles, such as mechanics and thermodynamics, are applied to design challenges. The program utilizes Wentworth’s laboratories and maker spaces for project-based learning. You will work alongside full-time faculty and undergraduate mentors on technical builds and data collection. Field trips around Boston will provide exposure to how local industries apply these physics concepts in the workforce.
6. Northeastern University’s Accelerate Pre-College Programs: Exploring Modern Physics
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MACost: $7,095; need-based financial aid availableAcceptance rate/cohort size: 15 – 30 students/programDates: July 26 – August 7Application deadline: Priority: January 15; Regular: February 27; Late: March 15Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-graders with basic physics and trigonometry knowledge
This intensive two-week physics program for high school students in Boston focuses on using cosmic rays to explore modern physics. As a participant, you will delve into theoretical concepts rarely covered in AP Physics, including special relativity, quantum mechanics, and cosmology. You will also conduct hands-on laboratory experiments, building cloud chambers to observe particle tracks and using electronic muon counters. Additionally, you will attend guest lectures led by researchers who will provide insight into the applications of physics in climate modeling and nuclear energy.
7. Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge (close to Boston), MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~2.5% acceptance rate; ~100 students/year
Dates: June 28 – August 8
Application deadline: December 10
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the academic requirements
RSI is a science and engineering program that allows high school students to experience the full research cycle, from literature review to final presentation. You will be paired with professional scientists as mentors to conduct independent research projects in fields such as theoretical physics, optics, or particle physics. The first week consists of intensive classes on STEM and humanities topics, followed by five weeks of research. The program culminates in a formal symposium where you will present your findings to a panel of experts. Field trips to science and tech facilities in Boston are also part of the experience.
8. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 2 | Session II: July 5 – 17 | Session III: July 19 – 31
Application deadline: Early: January 7; Regular: February 11; Late: April 1
Eligibility: Rising seniors and juniors who are 16 – 18 years old
Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School program offers high schoolers the opportunity to take college-level courses, including specific physics tracks such as Introduction to Quantum Physics and Astrophysics and Planetary Science. During the program, you will experience the pace of college life while working through challenging theoretical models and problem sets. The courses are designed to be immersive, focusing on conceptual understanding rather than just rote formula application. Outside of the classroom, you will participate in co-curricular activities and college readiness workshops.
9. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI): Quantum Software Course
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for students with a family income less than $200,000; $2,400 otherwise
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 6 – August 1 or 2
Application deadline: March 30
Eligibility: 9th to 11th graders who live and attend high school in the U.S.
BWSI is a summer program for high schoolers looking for advanced project-based STEM coursework. It offers a specialized track in Quantum Software that introduces you to the intersection of quantum physics and computer science. You will learn the fundamental physical principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, and how they are used to build quantum algorithms. This physics program is project-based, requiring you to write code for quantum simulators and explore real-world applications in cryptography and materials science with peers. It is held in collaboration with MIT Lincoln Laboratory researchers, offering you a direct link to professional scientists.
10. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11
SPINWIP is a virtual physics program for high school students interested in advanced topics such as quantum mechanics, astrophysics, and cosmology. As a participant, you will learn about research in various areas of physics, including quantum computing, through sessions led by Stanford professors and researchers. You will also gain experience in Python coding and apply coding skills to physics-based projects while working in a small group led by Stanford students. Workshops on professional development and college planning are part of the experience.
11. Johns Hopkins CTY Online Program:The Physics of Sports
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round sessions
Application deadline: Varies by course start date
Eligibility: Students in grades 2 – 12
Johns Hopkins University’s CTY (Center for Talented Youth) offers various courses designed to help you explore advanced academics. You can choose a course on a focused topic like the physics of sports alongside a broader suite of academically advanced offerings. This course focuses on applying principles such as force, energy, and motion to real-world sporting scenarios, helping you connect abstract concepts to analyses of athletic performance. Instruction emphasizes conceptual understanding paired with problem solving, encouraging you to think beyond standard classroom examples. You will interact with expert instructors and peers from around the world, which can help you explore a range of approaches to physics problems.
12. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual format available for Boston students
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for three course credits; fee waivers available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
ASSIP offers fully remote mentored research opportunities in various fields, including astronomy and physics. You can choose a mentor who is engaged in physical science research and is seeking online participation from high schoolers. Over the course of eight weeks, you will learn about lab practices, review scientific literature, assist your mentor with research work, and refine scientific writing and communication skills. During the program, you will also learn about various career paths through discussions with researchers and STEM professionals.ASSIP concludes with a symposium where you will learn about all the program research conducted over the summer.
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