15 Science Programs for High School Students in Texas
As a high schooler passionate about science, structured programs can be an accessible way to explore how concepts you learn in class are applied in real settings. Through lab work, research projects, and technical activities, science programs help you build practical skills and gain exposure to fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and data analysis. Many programs also include seminars, mentorship, and collaborative projects, helping you learn directly from researchers, faculty, and industry professionals. Since many of these opportunities are hosted by well-known universities and organizations, you also gain access to strong academic resources and meaningful networking opportunities with peers and STEM experts.
Why should you attend a science program in Texas?
Texas is home to several universities, research centers, and organizations that offer high-quality science programs for high school students. These programs often focus on research, lab-based learning, and exposure to fields such as aerospace, healthcare, environmental science, and engineering. Whether you are interested in conducting research, exploring a specific scientific discipline, or gaining experience in a university setting, Texas offers programs across a wide range of STEM fields.
To help you get started, we have researched and shortlisted 15 science programs for high school students in Texas.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. NASA and UT Austin SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Virtual + University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: Free for virtual participants | $2,000 for on-site participants; full scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~10.75 acceptance rate in the past
Dates: Distance learning: May 15 – July 1; On-site internship: July 5 – 18; Virtual project: June – July 21; Virtual Science Symposium: July 20 – 21
Application deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 or 11, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens
SEES internship is a competitive STEM learning opportunity for high school students interested in space science and research. You will work on NASA mission-based projects, gaining insights into planetary science, aerospace, remote sensing, space geodetic techniques, astronomy, and microgravity research. You will work closely with NASA scientists, engineers, and researchers, and learn how to use real mission data. You may work on systems modeling, data analysis, and engineering design while developing skills in teamwork and communication. At the end, you will present your project at a virtual symposium.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; deadlines vary by cohort: Spring (January), Fall (September), Summer (May), and Winter (November). You can check details and apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase accepts previous AI Scholars participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers a range of online programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will learn about data science and AI fundamentals and work on real-world projects. Another track for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. During this program, you will get a chance to work 1-on-1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A key feature of this program is that it offers you access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; a $750 stipend is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students/year
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and graduating seniors, ages 17 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week summer program that places high school students on the Texas Tech University campus to conduct research. You will spend the summer gaining practical, hands-on research experience while learning from experienced faculty. You can choose from a range of scientific research areas, including physics, chemistry, biology, cellular and microbiology, computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and cancer bioimaging. Additionally, you will attend seminars and participate in social activities, getting a taste of college life. At the end, you will submit a report discussing your research project.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Science Track
Location: Remote.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, spring, fall, and winter. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school who 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 across a broad range of subjects that you can explore as a high schooler. The program will pair you with Ph.D. mentors to work one-on-one on a research project. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose from areas such as physics, computer science, engineering, psychology, chemistry, data science, international relations, economics, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program @ UT MD Anderson
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; $7,200 stipend for 10 weeks | $6,480 stipend for nine weeks
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort of up to six students
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school seniors, ages 18 and up, who are Texas residents, U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or work-eligible visa holders
This is a competitive 10-week program for current high school seniors looking for early exposure to professional research. You will work on a research project in a biomedical discipline while receiving mentorship and guidance from an MD Anderson faculty member. You will participate in hands-on laboratory work, attend faculty-led seminars, and develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of scientific investigation. The seminars will allow you to engage in a range of activities, including poster, elevator speech, and abstract competitions. The program ends with a presentation where you will get to share your research experiences.
6. Rice University Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI)
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; up to $1,800 in stipends
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Software Track: June 8 – 18 | Hardware Track: June 22 – July 2
Application deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Current 9th and 10th-grade students and community college students
Rice University’s DHWI is a free, stipend-based summer learning opportunity for high school students interested in exploring health technologies. The student track of the program offers two pathways: hardware and software. In the hardware project pathway, you will learn the role of hardware innovations in healthcare settings and the principles of wearable technologies, sensors, and medical devices. You will gain hands-on experience working with digital healthcare tools and understand the importance of AI in healthcare. The software track will focus on disease detection using AI predictions and provide hands-on experience with PyTorch and other key machine learning tools. You will also work and connect with university researchers and healthcare professionals, and present your work at the Spring Innovator Showcase.
7. University of Houston’s MohanLab Summer Internship
Location: MohanLab at the University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: March 26
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
This internship is a summer research opportunity for rising high school seniors looking for exposure to lab-based research. You will explore basic laboratory techniques over the initial one or two weeks. Over the next six weeks, you will participate in research work while receiving guidance from a graduate student or a scientist. You will have the opportunity to explore a range of research areas, including neuroscience, biomedical sciences, big data analytics, and biomedical engineering. The program concludes with an oral presentation where you will get to share your findings with others. The program allows you to continue your research after the completion of the internship and engage in data analysis and manuscript writing.
8. NASA Texas High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Virtual + residential component at NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year.
Dates: Virtual course: October 6 – March 8; Virtual Moonshot: June 1 – 5/June 8 – 12; Residential experience: July
Application deadline: September 27
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens and residents of Texas
Texas High School Aerospace Scholars is a year-long STEM learning experience for high school students. The program begins with five-month virtual learning modules covering topics in aeronautics, Earth science, technology, and space exploration. In this phase, you will build coding, engineering, and computer-aided design (CAD) skills. If you are among the top performers, you will be invited to engage in Moonshot, a five-day virtual experience where you will receive mentorship from NASA engineers and scientists. The best-performing teams at Moonshot will have the opportunity to participate in a residential experience at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
9. High School Emerging Researcher Experience @ Houston Methodist
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application deadline: January 30
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up, with a GPA of 3.5 or higher
This summer program is designed to introduce high schoolers to translational and biomedical research. You will work with undergraduate research interns and a mentor from Houston Methodist’s faculty on a research project. Over the course of the program, you will learn about lab techniques, research methods, and problem-solving. You will attend seminars that cover current topics in medical and scientific research and healthcare innovation. The program ends with a symposium, where you will present a poster highlighting your research findings.
10. TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy @ University of Houston
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: None; opportunity to earn a $1,000 scholarship available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~55 students/year
Dates: June 8 – August 7
Application deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are planning to attend the University of Houston in the fall
The TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy is a nine-week intensive program for high school students seeking early exposure to science and math coursework. You will attend lectures in calculus and chemistry and engage in small-group review sessions designed to help you dive into college-level academics and build strong study habits. Upon completion of the program and final exam, you will earn college credit for Calculus I. Beyond academics, the program emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and self-management, and offers support through peer mentorship, tutoring sessions, and workshops. Another key component is a preview of the College Success course, which can help you prepare for university expectations.
11. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual and in-person camps at various sites, including Dallas, TX (sites can vary by year)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – 12 | July 6 – 17 | July 20 – 31 | August 3 – 14
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens, ages 13 – 18
Kode With Klossy offers free, two-week coding camps to teens who want to learn how to code. You will explore computer science and programming through focused tracks in data science, web development, or artificial intelligence/machine learning. Over the course of two weeks, you will work with SQL, Python, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, algorithms, and natural language processing to build projects. Beyond track-specific learning, each camp includes a speaker series featuring women working in tech, who will share insights into what careers in the field entail. You will also gain access to the Kode With Klossy alumni community upon completing the camp.
12. Texas A&M University Chemistry’s REACT (Research Experiences in Analytical Chemistry Training)
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost: $250
Cohort size: 20 students/year
Dates: July 13 – 24 (six days within this window)
Application deadline: March (tentative); applications open in January
Eligibility: High school students
REACT is a six-day summer program at Texas A&M University designed for high school students interested in chemistry and laboratory research. You will explore techniques like nuclear magnetic resonance, polymerase chain reaction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. You will analyze chemical samples, run lab investigations, and engage in scientific discussions to learn about experimental chemistry. The schedule may also include field trips to help you see how chemistry is applied in laboratory and industrial settings. Through these activities, you may build lab, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills to prepare for future research.
13. UTSA Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design Summer Camps
Location: University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Cost: Varies by camp, but typically $600 for day camps and $800 for overnight camps; scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple camps offered between June and July
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
UTSA’s Summer Camps let high school students explore different areas and disciplines in STEM over the course of a week. You can choose from camps in biomedical engineering, robotics, AI, rocketry and aerospace engineering, and architecture. Each camp covers core concepts and STEM fields through instruction, hands-on challenges, faculty presentations, and research laboratory tours. You may also get to build tangible projects that you can test and present at an end-of-week event. The camps also offer insights into academics at UTSA.
14. Summer High School Research Academy (HSRA) @ UT Austin
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, TX
Cost: $4,000; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 15
Application deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, ages 15 and up by June 1; Texas residents and rising juniors and seniors are prioritized.
HSRA is a five-week hands-on research opportunity that places high school students in UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences. You will join laboratories and participate in research projects in fields such as data analytics, biochemistry, ecology, genome engineering, environmental science, neuroscience, and genetics. You will interact with faculty and students and gain exposure to research practices. You will also attend seminars and hear from guest speakers. At the end of HSRA, you will present your work at a poster symposium.
15. Rice ELITE Tech Camp
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $1,799 for commuters | $3,899 for residential participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple one-week camps between June and July
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 to 11
Rice ELITE Tech Camp is a week-long hands-on learning opportunity for high school students interested in technology and engineering. The program will introduce you to college-level engineering concepts through workshops and hands-on projects. You will also learn while working with peers to engage in real-world problem-solving. You will also work on projects, such as coding to solve biomedical and robotics challenges, 3D printing models, programming IoT sensors, and neural networks. You will have the opportunity to learn from engineering students in machine learning, advanced programming, AI, and mechanical engineering, while also developing leadership skills in project management and communication.