13 Science Programs for High School Students in San Diego, California
Science programs can give you a clearer sense of what working in a scientific field actually looks like beyond your school classes. Instead of just learning concepts, you’re often applying them through lab work, research projects, or problem-solving exercises. Many of these programs introduce you to tools and methods used in areas like biology, engineering, or data science, which can be helpful if you’re considering STEM for college. You’ll also get a chance to work alongside researchers, instructors, or mentors who are already in these fields.. Over time, experiences like these can also shape how you approach independent projects or research in high school.
Why should you attend a Science program in San Diego, California?
San Diego is home to institutions such as UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and Scripps Research that offer programs and internships for high school students. These organizations are involved in fields ranging from biotechnology and ocean science to engineering and data science, which means you’re learning in an environment where active research is happening. Depending on the program, you might be working in a lab, attending seminars, or completing a project that reflects current research topics. For local students, the proximity can make it easier to participate in in-person programs or internships during the summer. If you’re coming from outside the area, it’s a chance to experience a concentrated science community while also getting a feel for campus life at major universities.
To help you get started, we’ve narrowed down a list of 13 science programs for high school students in San Diego.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. Scripps Research High School Summer Internship (REACH Program)
Location: Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: None / $5,040 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 22 – August 7 (plus June 16–18 boot camp)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Students from select partner high schools in San Diego and nearby areas
This seven-week internship places you in a biomedical research lab where you’ll work full-time alongside scientists. You’ll spend your days conducting experiments, analyzing data, and learning lab techniques under close mentorship. Before the internship begins, there’s a short training boot camp to prepare you for lab work. You’ll be expected to follow a full-time research schedule, similar to what undergraduate interns experience. The program also includes seminars and professional development sessions that introduce current research topics. At the end, you’ll present your work at a formal research symposium.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies as per program. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. 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, you are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you have access to the in-house publication team to help you 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. Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars Program
Location: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective / Small cohort
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students aged 16+ who have completed at least one year of biology and chemistry
This eight-week internship places you directly in a research lab at the Salk Institute, where you’ll work on a focused scientific project with a mentor. You’ll spend most of your time conducting experiments, analyzing data, and learning lab techniques used in ongoing research. The program also includes seminars, workshops, and site visits that introduce different scientific careers and research areas. You’ll work closely with a mentor on a single project and contribute to real lab work throughout the program. The experience ends with a research symposium where you present your findings.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote, you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies as per program; financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
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 you 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.
5. Sally Ride Science Academy
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $175–$450 per course; scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment / Varies by course
Program Dates: July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: May 31Eligibility: Open to all high school students
This program is structured as a series of short workshops where you choose specific STEM topics to explore. You might take courses in areas like coding, engineering, biology, or data science, depending on what’s offered that year. Sessions are hands-on and led by instructors who guide you through experiments, projects, and problem-solving activities. You can mix and match topics, so the experience is more flexible than a single-track program. Some courses run in person at UC San Diego, while others may be available online. Because it’s modular, the depth depends on how many and which workshops you choose.
6. OPTIMUS Outreach Program
Location: UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: None / Stipend paid (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective / About 24 students
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: 10th–11th grade students at select San Diego high schools
Over eight weeks, you’ll split your time between lab work and clinical exposure at UC San Diego’s cancer research center. You’ll learn core molecular biology techniques while also observing how research connects to patient care through shadowing experiences. The program includes seminars led by faculty and residents, as well as hands-on training in skills such as suturing. You’ll work closely with mentors and contribute to real research projects rather than just observing. Toward the end, you’ll prepare and present your findings, which gives you experience explaining scientific work clearly. The combination of lab research and clinical exposure makes this program more interdisciplinary than many high school internships.
7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of Navy laboratories (including San Diego locations such as NIWC and NHRC)
Cost/Stipend: None / $4,000–$4,500 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive / Not specified
Program Dates: 8 weeks during summer (varies by lab)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 16+ who have completed at least grade 9
SEAP places you in a Department of Navy research lab where you’ll work on science or engineering projects under the guidance of professional researchers. Over eight weeks, you’ll follow a full-time schedule and contribute to ongoing work in areas like cybersecurity, engineering, or data analysis. You can rank preferred lab locations, including several in California. You’ll be matched with a mentor and work on applied research problems in a professional lab setting. The program emphasizes independent work, technical skill development, and exposure to government research environments. The experience is structured like a full-time internship rather than a classroom program.
8. UCSD Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: San Diego Supercomputer Center, UC San Diego, San Diego, CA
Cost: $2,000 program fee; scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 in Southern California; must be 16+ with a minimum 3.0 GPA
This eight-week internship focuses on computational science and research using real-world datasets and tools. You’ll join a research group and work on an ongoing project, learning how to design experiments, test hypotheses, and interpret results. The weekly schedule is flexible, usually around 10–20 hours, and includes lab meetings and group discussions. You’ll work on a defined research project and present your findings through a final scientific poster. Mentorship comes from research scientists and graduate students, with regular exposure to technical discussions and guest speakers. The program leans more toward computational and data-driven research rather than wet lab work.
9. Summer Medical Academy (SMA)
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: $3,000; limited scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective / 24–30 students
Program Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–19 who have completed at least 9th grade
This two-week program gives you a structured look at different areas within healthcare through workshops and simulations. You’ll rotate through topics like pediatrics, surgery, emergency medicine, and nursing while attending lectures from practicing professionals. The days are hands-on, with activities that mirror real clinical tasks alongside group-based projects. You’ll spend a significant portion of the program working through medical simulations rather than just attending lectures. The program ends with a group presentation that pulls together what you’ve learned. Because it’s short and intensive, the focus is more on exposure to multiple fields rather than deep specialization.
10. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA (one of several campuses)
Cost/Stipend: $5,256 + $44 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 7–21% / 160–200 students per campus
Program Dates: July 6 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: California high school students entering grades 9–12
At COSMOS, you’ll join a four-week residential program in which you choose a specific “cluster” focused on a STEM subject. Your days are built around lab work, lectures, and group research tied to that theme, whether it’s engineering, biology, or computer science. You’ll work closely with faculty and researchers while using university labs and equipment. You will follow a focused track, so your experience depends heavily on the cluster you select. Outside academics, there’s a residential component with structured activities and time to interact with other students. The program is longer and more academically intensive than most summer options, with a strong emphasis on project-based learning.
11. UC San Diego Research Scholars – Institute of Engineering in Medicine
Location: UC San Diego (online), San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 6 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 3 (or until full)
Eligibility: Grades 8–12 and community college students
This program is structured as a live, online course focused on neuroscience, with classes held four days a week for 2 hours each. You’ll work through topics like cell biology, brain function, and disease, while also being introduced to techniques such as imaging and basic data analysis. The format is closer to a college-style class than a research internship, with lectures, assignments, and grading options (letter grade or pass/fail). Because it’s fully online and short daily sessions, the experience is more academic and flexible, not immersive or lab-based. This setup gives you structured exposure to neuroscience concepts without the time commitment of a full-time program.
12. SDSU Yang Lab High School Summer Research Camp
Location: San Diego State University (Yang Lab), San Diego, CA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Grades 9–12 (including rising 9th graders with research readiness)
This program centers on hands-on lab work in areas like materials science, 3D printing, and bioinspired engineering. You’ll be working with a research team to explore how mechanical structures and design concepts are tested and applied in real projects. The experience includes exposure to academic research processes, and some students may contribute to conference papers depending on their work. The focus is on lab-based experimentation and research output rather than classroom-style instruction. You’re expected to engage with technical work like prototyping, testing, and possibly academic writing. It leans more toward independent research experience, especially if you’re interested in engineering or applied physics topics.
13. UC San Diego Research Scholars – Life Sciences
Location: UC San Diego (with Boz Institute), San Diego, CA / Online & Hybrid
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Varies by course (Winter, Spring, Summer sessions)
Application Deadline: June 5 (rolling admissions)
Eligibility: High school students; specific requirements not specified
This program is structured around research-focused courses where you work through the steps of a scientific project, from reading literature to designing experiments and analyzing data. Depending on the course, you might focus on bioinformatics, genomics, or marine biology, with a mix of online instruction, hybrid labs, or field components. You’ll be guided by instructors affiliated with the Boz Institute and complete assignments that build toward a final research output. The experience ends with a formal poster presentation, where you present your work to scientists and professionals. Unlike shorter enrichment programs, this one emphasizes research methods and technical skills like data analysis and experimental design. It leans more academic than social, so it’s useful if you want structured exposure to how research actually works rather than a general overview.