15 Science Programs for High School Students in Florida

Science programs can be a strong starting point if you are exploring academic interests before college. Instead of only studying theory in school, you get exposure to practical skills, structured projects, and sometimes real lab environments. These programs allow you to work with professors, researchers, and industry professionals, helping you understand how scientific ideas are applied beyond the textbook. These experiences can also help you figure out whether you enjoy fields like biology, chemistry, engineering, or data science before choosing a college major. 

Why Should You Attend a Science Program in Florida?

Florida has several universities and research institutions that offer structured STEM learning opportunities for high school students. The state offers opportunities in specialized fields such as marine science, biomedical research, and materials science due to its geographic and institutional strengths. Whether you are a Florida resident or considering traveling from another state, these programs provide exposure to strong academic environments. 

To help with your search, we have a list of 15 science programs for high school students in Florida.

If you’re looking for free summer programs in Florida, check out our blog here.

Key takeaways

• This blog lists 15 science programs for high school students in Florida, spanning marine science, biomedical research, AI, engineering, and chemistry.

• Several programs pay students to participate, including SEAP ($4,000–$4,500), Project SEED ($4,000), and Kenan Fellows ($4,480), while others like FSU's Young Scholars Program and Mayo Clinic SPARK are free.

• Six programs run fully virtual, including Lumiere Research Scholar Program, Veritas AI Fellowship, GMU ASSIP, and both Stanford offerings, while the rest involve in-person lab or field placements.

• Application deadlines range from November 1 (SEAP) to May 1 (UCF PREM), so students should check individual timelines early.

1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

Location: Navy labs nationwide, including Florida

Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (new); $4,500 (returning)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 students

Dates: Eight weeks in the summer

Application Deadline: November 1

Eligibility: High school students age 16+ who are U.S. citizens

Students placed through SEAP work directly inside a Department of Navy research laboratory for the length of the summer, contributing to real research projects under the mentorship of Navy scientists and engineers. Placement depends on a student's stated research interests, so the day-to-day work varies widely by lab and can span areas like aerospace engineering, oceanography, materials science, or information systems. Interns gain hands-on exposure to Naval science and technology, working alongside professionals actively developing it. Many participants go on to pursue further research opportunities or careers within the Department of the Navy after completing the program.

2. Veritas AI Fellowship

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: Varies; need-based aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: 12 – 15 weeks

Application Deadline: Rolling. You can apply to the program here.

Eligibility: High school students with Python experience

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. Florida State University Young Scholars Program

Location: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Cost/Stipend: Free; meals and housing included

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: June 7 – July 18

Application Deadline: February 15

Eligibility: Florida residents who have completed 11th grade; minimum 3.0 GPA; 90th percentile or above in math on a nationally standardized exam; must be enrolled in or have completed Pre-Calculus; full six-week commitment required

YSP is a free six-week residential science and mathematics program at FSU, where each student takes three courses spanning mathematics, science, and computer programming. Mathematics courses have covered game theory, linear algebra, and mathematical modeling; science courses offer either a biological sciences track, covering molecular biology and neuroscience, or a physical sciences track, covering quantum computing and engineering design; and programming courses introduce either Python or R through six weeks of instruction culminating in an independent data analysis project. Alongside coursework, each student completes an Independent Research Project working one-on-one with an FSU faculty mentor in an active university lab.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Science Track

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: Varies; full financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Varies

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 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. Florida International University Summer Research Internship

Location: Florida International University, Miami, FL

Stipend: Paid; amount not specified

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 12 – August 7

Application Deadline: March 20

Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors ages 16+; must attend a South Florida high school; minimum 3.0 GPA; strong interest in cardiovascular research required

FIU's Summer Research Internship is an eight-week cardiovascular health research program that matches students with FIU faculty mentors and embeds them in active research labs across departments, including biological sciences, biomedical engineering, chemistry and biochemistry, mechanical engineering, and physics. Students commit a minimum of 15 hours per week to lab work, alongside a structured curriculum of weekly journal clubs, case studies, ethics seminars, and professional development workshops held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The program concludes with a research symposium where students present their findings, with top presenters invited to present at FIU's MARC U*STAR symposium in the fall.

6. American Chemical Society’s Project SEED

Location: National program with sites across 40 U.S. states and territories, including a Florida site

Stipend: $4,000 fellowship for both first-time (Summer I) and returning (Summer II) participants

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Supports 350+ students annually across participating sites nationwide

Dates: 8 to 10 weeks over the summer

Application Deadline: Typically closes in early spring; check website for current cycle dates

Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who have completed at least one high school chemistry course; students must demonstrate financial need, generally defined as family income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

Students in Project SEED spend the summer conducting mentored chemistry research inside a university, industrial, or government lab alongside a professional scientist. Projects are hands-on and often independent, giving students ownership over an experiment from start to finish rather than routine lab tasks. At the end of the summer, students write a research report or prepare a poster summarizing their findings, and many return for a second summer to continue the same line of research. The program also connects students with college preparation support and exposure to chemistry-related career paths, alongside their research.

7. Kenan Fellows High School Summer Internship (Wertheim UF Scripps Institute)

Location: Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, Jupiter, FL

Stipend: $4,480 for the eight-week internship

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Awarded competitively; not specified

Dates: Eight weeks, June through July

Application Deadline: Applications for the upcoming cycle typically open in the fall; check the website for current dates

Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors attending high school in Palm Beach or Martin County; must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, at least 14 years old, and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA

Kenan fellows spend the summer working full-time in a Wertheim UF Scripps laboratory under the direct supervision of a research scientist, contributing to biomedical research in areas such as cancer biology and infectious diseases. The internship centers on hands-on bench work, where students learn experimental design, data analysis, and standard lab techniques while working alongside laboratory personnel. Interns also attend weekly scientific seminars that introduce them to a range of research topics beyond their own lab placement. The summer culminates in a written scientific abstract, an oral presentation, and a poster session summarizing the student's research.

8. Mayo Clinic SPARK (Florida)

Location: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL

Cost/Stipend: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: June 2 – December 3

Application Deadline: December 31

Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors from Duval or St. Johns County schools

SPARK places high school students in world-class research labs at Mayo Clinic's Jacksonville campus for a year-long mentored research experience spanning summer and the school year. Students commit a minimum of 25 hours per week during the summer break and additional arranged hours during the academic year, working directly with Mayo Clinic researchers in areas including biochemistry and molecular biology, cancer biology, immunology, neuroscience, drug development, epidemiology, regenerative sciences, and AI. The program has a strong science fair component, with many SPARK scholars producing competitive projects that have won regional and state awards. Alumni have gone on to participate in Mayo Clinic's undergraduate and clinical research programs and to pursue science- and medicine-related majors at colleges and universities across the country.

9. UCF PREM High School Summer Internship Program

Location: UCF Main Campus & UCF Medical Campus, Orlando, FL

Stipend: Paid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 8 – July 17

Application Deadline: May 1

Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors; strong interest in physics, chemistry, biology, or engineering required

The UCF PREM High School Summer Internship places students in one of ten research labs at the Center for Quantum Materials Innovation and Education Excellence, an NSF-funded partnership between UCF and Florida A&M University. Research spans three interdisciplinary areas: the electronic structure and light-matter interactions of layered quantum materials, catalysis on topological materials, and the interfaces between quantum materials and biological systems with applications in biomedicine. Students work alongside UCF faculty and graduate researchers for six weeks, gaining hands-on experience in cutting-edge materials science at both the main UCF campus and the UCF Medical Campus. The program is particularly suited for students interested in the intersection of physics, chemistry, and engineering at the atomic scale.

10. University of Miami Summer Scholars – Science Tracks (Three-Week Credit Program)

Location: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL

Cost: Residential $10,225.20; Commuter $8,561.50 (tuition plus program fees); additional $450 fee for Marine Science tracks and for Cancer Biology track; $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit; $75 non-refundable application fee

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: June 27 – July 17

Application Deadline: Not specified; check website for updates

Eligibility: Open to rising 11th and 12th-grade students; prerequisites vary by track (biology plus one other lab science required for most science tracks)

Students spend three weeks at the University of Miami earning college credit within a science-focused track of their choosing. The biomedical and health sciences track covers subjects like cancer biology, microbiology, neuroscience, and public health, with several courses held on the Miller School of Medicine campus. The marine science track involves studying oceanography, marine conservation, or the biology of sharks and marine mammals, with field excursions to sites like the Rosenstiel School on Virginia Key. Students can also pursue a track in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or programming through applied projects, with each track pairing two courses totaling six credit hours.

11. Eckerd College Marine Science Pre-College Program

Location: Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL

Cost: $2,250

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 14 – 19 | June 21 – 26

Application Deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Students entering grades 11–12

Students spend their time on the water and in the field studying marine biology, marine geology, and marine chemistry alongside Eckerd faculty. Days include activities like catching and releasing fish and invertebrates in local seagrass beds, observing wild dolphins in their coastal habitat, and conducting plankton tows aboard the college's research vessel to examine organisms under a microscope. Students also get lab time working with field-collected samples and visit a nature preserve to encounter local wildlife, including alligators and birds of prey. The program is built around Eckerd's undergraduate marine science curriculum, giving students a preview of what studying the subject in college looks like.

12. University of Florida Student Science Training Program (SSTP)

Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Cost: $5,500 + $50 application fee; limited need-based scholarships available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 90 students each summer

Dates: June 7 – July 25

Application Deadline: March 25

Eligibility: Rising 12th-graders

Students spend seven weeks embedded in a UF faculty research lab, contributing to ongoing projects in fields ranging from bench science and clinical research to engineering and computational work. Alongside lab work, students attend a daily interdisciplinary lecture series covering topics across the biological and physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, and medicine, and take part in a small-group UF Honors seminar taught by graduate researchers. By the end of the program, students write a scientific research paper, present a research poster, and deliver two oral presentations based on their lab work. Florida high school students can earn dual enrollment credit for the research component.

13. Stanford AI in Medicine and Imaging Summer Research Internship

Location: Remote

Cost/Stipend: $45 application fee + $2,400 program fee

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~50 students

Dates: June 15 – 26 | July 6 – 17

Application Deadline: February 13 (Financial Aid); February 20 (Standard)

Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students in grades 9–12

This program focuses on using artificial intelligence to analyze healthcare problems and medical imaging data. You work in teams to explore real case studies involving diagnostic tools and predictive models. Mentors guide you through project development and problem-solving methods. The program includes interactive discussions and exposure to interdisciplinary careers. Although virtual, it complements science programs for high school students in Florida by expanding technical skills. Students interested in technology and healthcare may find this interdisciplinary format useful.

14. George Mason University ASSIP

Location: Virtual options available

Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: June 18 – August 12

Application Deadline: February 15 (Tentative)

Eligibility: Minimum age 15

ASSIP allows students to participate in research projects guided by faculty mentors. The program focuses on building research skills such as analysis and academic writing. You work on independent or collaborative projects over several weeks. Some participants present their research findings publicly. Virtual participation makes it accessible regardless of location. It is useful if you want a flexible research experience.

15. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Topics in Biochemistry

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: $3,200

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: July 6 – 17

Application Deadline: March 13

Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 11

This course introduces core biochemistry concepts through structured lessons and group work. You learn about molecular biology topics such as proteins and genetic engineering. Discussions help you understand how biochemistry connects to health sciences. Students complete a final project integrating course concepts. The short format makes it manageable during summer schedules. It provides conceptual exposure to advanced biology topics.

Frequently asked questions

1. Which programs in this list are free to attend? 

FSU's Young Scholars Program and Mayo Clinic SPARK are both free, with YSP also covering housing and meals for the full six weeks.

2. Which programs pay students a stipend? 

SEAP ($4,000–$4,500), Project SEED ($4,000), and Kenan Fellows ($4,480) all provide paid stipends for participating students.

3. Which programs on this list are fully virtual? 

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, the Veritas AI Fellowship, GMU ASSIP, and both Stanford programs (AI in Medicine and Topics in Biochemistry) are offered remotely.

4. Which programs are limited to specific Florida counties or residents? 

FSU YSP requires Florida residency, FIU's internship requires South Florida enrollment, Mayo Clinic SPARK is limited to Duval or St. Johns County, and Kenan Fellows is limited to Palm Beach or Martin County.