15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Maryland
If you are a high school student curious about science, technology, engineering, or math and want to explore what these fields look like beyond textbooks and classrooms, a STEM program can be a smart place to start. These programs are designed to help you apply what you learn in school to real problems, whether that means running experiments, building and testing solutions, or working with data and technology. Many STEM programs also introduce you to how research labs, engineering teams, and tech-driven organizations actually operate, giving you early insight into potential career paths.
Why should you attend a program in Maryland?
Maryland stands out as a hub for STEM education and research, with access to reputable universities, federal research centers, and science-driven organizations. You can explore a wide range of STEM experiences, including biomedical and neuroscience research, engineering design, robotics, computer science, and environmental studies. Many programs emphasize projects, collaborative research, and exposure to advanced facilities, allowing you to test your interests in a structured, supportive environment.
To help you navigate your options, we’ve narrowed down 15 STEM programs for high school students in Maryland.
If you’re looking for programs in Maryland, check out our blog here.
1. BBR High School Internship Program
Location: Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), Rockville, MD
Stipend: Paid summer internship
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors, ages 16+, Montgomery County Public School students.
The IBBR High School Internship Program is a competitive biotechnology research opportunity designed for highly motivated high school students interested in laboratory-based STEM careers. You’re placed with IBBR scientists and work closely with your mentors on active research projects across bioscience and biotechnology disciplines. You’ll commit full-time to lab work and professional development activities, gaining firsthand exposure to how academic and applied biotech research is conducted. The experience emphasizes research fundamentals, including experimental design, data collection, laboratory techniques, and scientific communication. A key program requirement is a formal poster presentation at the end of the internship, mirroring how scientists share findings in academic and professional settings.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12; middle school students may be considered with prior coding experience
Veritas AI, founded and led by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students 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 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. One benefit of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help 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. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Nationwide placements
Stipend: $3,000 stipend
Program Dates: 8-week summer internship; June–August
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; must be 16 years old by the internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, sponsored by the American Fisheries Society, is an eight-week paid summer internship designed to introduce high school students to careers in fisheries, aquatic science, and environmental biology. During the internship, you participate in hands-on scientific work that mirrors the responsibilities of entry-level researchers. Activities vary by placement but may include fish population surveys, water quality testing, habitat restoration, electrofishing, laboratory analysis, data processing, and environmental education projects. Many placements combine fieldwork, laboratory work, and office-based research, providing a well-rounded view of aquatic science careers. You’ll gain exposure to how fisheries research informs conservation, resource management, and environmental policy, while building professional skills such as data collection, scientific observation, and collaboration.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program’s STEM Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round
Application Deadlines: Vary by cohort
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance and interest in STEM research
Lumiere’s STEM Track is part of the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a rigorous, research-focused experience for high school students interested in conducting independent STEM research under close mentorship. The program spans a wide range of STEM disciplines, including biology, data science, mathematics, astrophysics, computer science, physics, neuroscience, medicine, chemistry, engineering, and architecture. At the core of the program is 1-on-1 mentorship with a PhD researcher from a top university, where you work independently on a research project in your chosen field. You begin by aligning on a research topic with your mentor, then conduct a literature review and formulate the question. Over the following weeks, you write and refine a full research paper with ongoing mentor feedback, culminating in a final evaluation and graduation symposium. An additional academic benefit is Lumiere’s credit partnership with UC San Diego Extended Studies, which allows program completers to earn 3 post-baccalaureate credits and receive a digital transcript.
5. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of Navy laboratories nationwide, including Maryland-based labs
Stipend: $4,000 for new students | $4,500 for returning students
Program Dates: 8 consecutive weeks during the summer, typically late May–June start; dates vary by lab
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least Grade 9; must be currently enrolled in high school; minimum age 16 by internship start date; U.S. citizens.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) places you directly into the Department of Navy research laboratories for an intensive, eight-week summer research experience. As a SEAP apprentice, you work full-time alongside Navy scientists and engineers, contributing to active research projects in science, engineering, and technology. During the internship, you are embedded in a lab environment where you learn how real-world research is conducted. Your work may involve supporting experimental design, data collection and analysis, technical problem-solving, or applied engineering tasks, depending on the focus of the laboratory you are matched with. Each student receives one-on-one mentoring from professional researchers, gaining exposure to both the technical and collaborative aspects of STEM careers within the Department of Navy.
6. University of Maryland ESTEEM / SER-Quest Summer Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 20 – August 14
Application Deadline: Best consideration by March 29
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders with a minimum 3.2 GPA, no C’s in math or science, completion of Trigonometry, Chemistry, and Pre-Calculus with a B or better, and a strong interest in engineering and attending the University of Maryland.
The ESTEEM / SER-Quest Summer Program is a four-week, in-person research program designed for rising high school seniors who are planning to pursue engineering at the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering. During the program, you explore engineering through a guided research project, where you learn how engineering research is conducted from start to finish, including developing a research proposal, completing a literature review, and critically evaluating a research problem. Alongside research work, you are introduced to core engineering concepts and gain insight into how engineering solutions address real-world societal challenges. Beyond research, ESTEEM/SER-Quest also includes college preparation and career readiness components. You receive guidance on the college application process, financial aid, and pathways into engineering majors.
7. Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory ASPIRE Internship Program
Location: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost: Free, unpaid internship
Program Dates: June 23 – August 21
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors must be at least 15 years old by June 1; U.S. citizens residing in select Maryland counties, Washington, D.C., or nearby Virginia areas with a minimum 2.8 GPA
The ASPIRE Internship Program is a highly competitive, full-time summer STEM internship designed to help high school students explore real-world STEM careers before committing to a college major. During the program, you are paired one-on-one with an APL staff mentor and work in a professional research environment, contributing to meaningful projects while developing both technical and interpersonal skills. You are expected to take ownership of your work, communicate effectively with mentors and teams, and persist through technical challenges. The summer experience culminates in a capstone poster and student showcase, where you present your work and reflect on the skills and insights gained over the internship.
8. NIST Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
Location: Gaithersburg, MD
Cost: Free; unpaid internship
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: U.S. citizen high school juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who live within 50 miles of the NIST Gaithersburg campus and can commit to the full seven-week program.
The Summer High School Internship Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers you the opportunity to work in active research laboratories alongside NIST scientists and engineers. As a SHIP intern, you are matched with a mentor and work on an independent research project in science, engineering, or technology, gaining firsthand exposure to how real-world research is conducted. Throughout the program, you can develop technical and analytical skills while contributing to ongoing research efforts. The experience culminates in a formal poster session, where you present your research findings to peers, mentors, and judges.
9. WIE Change the World! An Introduction to Maryland Engineering
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $1,500
Program Dates: July 12 – 17
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students interested in engineering
WIE Change the World! An Introduction to Maryland Engineering is a week-long, residential summer program offered by the Women in Engineering (WIE) Program at the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering. Designed for students considering engineering as a major or career path, the program provides a structured introduction to both campus life and the wide range of engineering disciplines offered at UMD. Throughout the week, you explore multiple engineering fields, including aerospace, bioengineering, chemical, civil and environmental, electrical and computer, fire protection, materials science, and mechanical engineering. Each day blends faculty-led presentations, hands-on activities, lab tours, and interactive workshops that demonstrate core engineering concepts and highlight how different disciplines intersect to solve real-world problems. A central component of the program is a weeklong team design project, where you collaborate with peers to apply what you’ve learned in a practical, problem-solving setting.
10. U.S. Naval Academy Summer STEM Program
Location: U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
Cost: $450; financial aid available for program fee and travel
Program Dates: Rising 9th Grade: June 1 – June 6 | Rising 10th Grade: June 8 – June 13 | Rising 11th Grade: June 15 – June 19
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–11 with strong academic performance and an interest in STEM fields.
The U.S. Naval Academy Summer STEM Program brings together students from across the country to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through faculty-led academic modules and team-based challenges. During the program, you work on applied STEM projects that emphasize problem-solving, design thinking, and collaboration. Activities include reverse engineering mechanical systems, materials science investigations in engineering labs, wind-resistance design challenges, and programming exercises that strengthen computational thinking. Beyond the classroom, the program integrates leadership development through interaction with U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen, exposure to STEM majors and careers, and daily team-based activities.
11. Terp Young Scholars Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $1,791
Program Dates: July 13 – 31
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders through graduating 12th graders
The Terp Young Scholars (TYS) Program is an intensive, in-person pre-college academic experience offered by the University of Maryland for high-achieving high school students interested in exploring college-level coursework. As a campus participant, you enroll in one three-credit UMD course taught by university faculty, where some courses include additional lab or discussion sessions. You are fully integrated into the university’s academic environment, attending lectures, completing projects, preparing for exams, and interacting with UMD undergraduate students. You work on graded assignments, projects, and exams, and your performance is evaluated using the university’s standard grading system. The program is academically rigorous and credit-bearing, meaning the grade you earn is officially recorded on a University of Maryland transcript.
12. Johns Hopkins APL STEM Academy
Location: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD
Cost: $59 per course
Program Dates: Fall and Spring sessions; each session runs for 12 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by session, applications open January 7 – 20
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12; priority given to students from Maryland.
The STEM Academy High School Program, offered by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), is a semester-based STEM learning experience designed to help high school students build both technical and workplace-ready skills. Courses are taught by practicing computer scientists, engineers, and STEM professionals, giving you direct exposure to how STEM concepts are applied in real-world research and industry settings. Through the program, you engage in hands-on, project-driven coursework that emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and practical skill development. Course offerings span a wide range of STEM disciplines, including Python programming, object-oriented programming, MATLAB, embedded systems with Arduino, cybersecurity, biomimetics, design thinking, and game development using Unity.
13. Student Preparation to Advance Robotics in College (SPARC) Certificate Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $5,000 per 3-week session; limited scholarships available
Program Dates: Session 1: July 6 – 24 | Session 2: July 27 – August 14
Application Deadline: First-tier deadline February 2; rolling review as space permits
Eligibility: Current 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students
The Student Preparation to Advance Robotics in College (SPARC) Certificate Program is a program offered by the Maryland Robotics Center within the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland. Designed for academically strong high school students interested in robotics and automation, SPARC introduces you to college-level concepts through focused, hands-on learning in emerging robotics areas. Education tracks span high-impact, rapidly evolving fields, including autonomous ground vehicles, uncrewed aerial vehicles and drones, machine learning and AI, 3D nanoprinting and additive manufacturing, and soft, bio-inspired, and medical robotics. Instruction emphasizes applied learning, allowing you to explore how robotics technologies are designed, developed, and used in real-world applications.
14. Explore Engineering Innovation (EEI)
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Varies by program format and location; detailed information is here
Program Dates: Multiple summer sessions, typically June–July
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current high school students or recent graduates who have completed Algebra II and prerequisite science coursework
Explore Engineering Innovation (EEI) is a college-level summer engineering program developed by Johns Hopkins University Engineering faculty, designed for high school students who want to experience how engineers think, design, and solve problems in real-world contexts. For students interested in in-person or hybrid learning, EEI offers several structured options that combine academic rigor with hands-on lab work and collaborative projects. You may design and test a spaghetti bridge using structural analysis, build and program interactive electronics using microcontrollers, or explore chemical engineering principles through process design labs. These projects are completed in small teams, strengthening technical skills alongside communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.
By exposing you to fields such as civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, computer engineering, and materials science, EEI helps you explore potential majors before college.
15. Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE)
Location: Multiple U.S. locations
Cost: Varies by format and location; check here for details
Program Dates: June 29 – July 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current high school students or recent graduates who have completed Algebra II and a high school science course with a lab
Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) is a college-level summer program that introduces high school students to the science, engineering, and societal impact of sustainable energy systems. You analyze real-world data, experiment with physical models, and work in teams to design solutions that balance efficiency, feasibility, and environmental impact. Core topics include renewable energy systems such as solar and wind power, grid stability, energy storage, and the broader technical and social challenges of transitioning to clean energy. You might investigate the performance and trade-offs of a major hydroelectric facility through a data-driven case study, test wind turbine efficiency using laboratory-scale models, or collaborate with peers to design a clean-energy-powered living space that accounts for power demand, renewable sources, and sustainability constraints.
Image source - Uni of Maryland