15 STEM Internships for High School Students in Texas
As a high school student, STEM internships offer you a practical way to gain early experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These programs help you gain industry experience, observing the lifecycle of innovation and the collaborative nature of modern research. These positions also facilitate valuable connections with mentors and peers, building a professional network that can guide you in the future.
Why should you attend an internship in Texas?
Various universities and organizations in Texas offer STEM internships through a network of industry partnerships, research grants, and dedicated career centers. You might assist in university labs running experiments, analyze data for environmental or medical studies, code software for robotics projects, or help design prototypes for aerospace systems. These programs are ideal for in-state students looking to build local professional roots and out-of-state students eager to experience a leading tech ecosystem.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 STEM internships for high school students in Texas.
If you are looking for internships in Texas, check out our blog here.
1. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center High School Summer Program
Location: University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: $7,200 for the 10-week program; $6,480 for nine weeks
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Current Texas high school seniors age 18+ enrolled in a Texas public, private, or charter high school or a Texas home school as a senior-level student during the Spring semester before program start
The MD Anderson High School Summer Program offers you a 10-week introduction to biomedical research within one of the nation’s leading cancer centers. You work full-time in a laboratory under the guidance of MD Anderson faculty, gaining experience with the techniques and discipline required in scientific investigation. The program emphasizes foundational research principles while allowing you to contribute to an active project. Daily work is supplemented with faculty-led seminars covering a range of scientific topics. At the end of the program, you present your learning and take part in a concluding celebration with other participants.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to the program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts in a year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: AI Scholars: All ambitious high school students | 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 work-learn programs for high school students who are 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 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, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them 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. Anson L. Clark Scholar Program
Location: Texas Tech University, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee / $750 stipend
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 17+ by start date, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, graduating this year or next
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University is a highly competitive seven-week summer opportunity for exceptional high school students to engage in advanced research. You collaborate directly with faculty on projects spanning areas like cancer imaging, engineering, physics, computer science, history, and more, gaining firsthand experience with university research practices. The program also includes talks, group discussions, and skill-building sessions that support both academic development and personal growth. During the program, students are housed on campus and can take advantage of university facilities and organized weekend activities.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a competitive program that provides high school students with remote internship opportunities at rapidly growing start-ups. You can be placed in STEM fields ranging from technology and AI/ML to health tech and deep tech. Many of the participating companies are backed by Y Combinator and led by founders with experience at organizations such as Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. Throughout the internship, you collaborate with both a start-up manager and a Ladder Coach while completing meaningful project work and presenting your results at the end. The Combination Program offers an added option to work directly with startup founders in a CEO-style internship alongside the research component.
5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Students are placed within a 45-minute commute from their homes
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer with flexible start and end dates
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are 16 years old by the internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship that exposes students to the field of fisheries and aquatic sciences. It pairs you with professional mentors to gain experience through both lab work and hands-on field activities. Tasks may include fish population assessments, electrofishing, water quality testing, data interpretation, and outreach efforts. Some fieldwork can be physically demanding and may require travel. Hosted at locations nationwide, the program offers a broad introduction to fisheries biology and helps students consider it as a potential career path.
6. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Programs
Location: The Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid, based on academic level and internship duration
Dates: Spring (16 weeks, mid-January to early May) | Summer (10 weeks, late May/early June to August) | Fall (16 weeks, late August/early September to mid-December)
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12; Summer: February 27; Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who are 16 or older, enrolled full-time as a student, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
At NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, you can step directly into the heart of space exploration through an OSTEM internship. You’ll actively contribute to your team by analyzing flight data, designing hardware, or managing complex IT systems alongside world-class scientists and engineers. Whether you’re working on-site in Houston or collaborating remotely, these roles provide a chance to sharpen your technical skills and network with astronauts. This hands-on experience immerses you in the reality of aerospace, turning your passion for STEM into a professional foundation.
7. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: You can find the available locations here.
Stipend: Rest of the United States: $501.60; Edwards AFR: $805.60
Dates: Fall: 16 weeks between late August/early September and mid-December | Spring: 16 weeks between mid-January and early May | Summer: 10 weeks between late May/early June and August
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort and sites (Summer: January 10)
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens and enrolled or accepted to an educational institution, who are at least 16 years old by the application deadline; detailed eligibility criteria can be found here
The AFRL Scholars Program gives high school students the opportunity to engage in aerospace engineering and STEM research through immersive internships. You work on projects in fields like atomic physics, satellite navigation, machine learning, and astrodynamics under the mentorship of AFRL scientists and engineers. Previous interns have supported research on launch vehicle technologies and rotating detonation rocket engines. Students may apply to as many as three project areas at each AFRL site. The program helps build strong analytical and problem-solving abilities while offering firsthand experience in cutting-edge Air Force research laboratories.
8. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) Internships
Location: Various sites across the U.S., including in and around Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid, varies from location to location
Dates: 5 – 10 weeks; typically June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling acceptance
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents | Additional requirements vary by site
Through the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), you can dive into high-level research across fields like cybersecurity, robotics, materials science, and biochemistry at sites including the University of Texas at Austin and various labs near Houston. You will design original investigations, operate advanced lab equipment, analyze complex data sets, and present your findings to professional panels. You will receive one-on-one mentorship from Department of Defense scientists, who guide you through real-world Army-sponsored challenges. By participating, you’ll earn a competitive stipend while mastering technical research ethics and critical problem-solving skills.
9. Texas Medical Center (TMC) Summer Research Internship Program
Location: Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 10 weeks; early June – late July/early August
Application Deadline: Late January
Eligibility: High school students completing their junior year at Augustana
In the Texas Medical Center (TMC) Summer Research Internship Program, you’ll work alongside experts in fields like oncology, genetics, and neuroscience. You will engage in hands-on activities such as conducting laboratory experiments, managing complex data sets, and attending high-level seminars that bridge theory and practice. Throughout the summer, you will master technical lab skills and sharpen your critical thinking while building professional endurance in a fast-paced environment. At the end, you will present your own findings at a final poster symposium. This immersive role transforms you from a student into a contributing member of a research team, giving you a distinct edge for college and beyond.
10. SpaceX High School Internship
Location: Bastrop, McGregor, Starbase (Brownsville), TX
Stipend: Paid, varies as per role
Dates: Spring and Summer cohorts available
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents and 16+
In the SpaceX High School Internship program, you’ll be part of a high-stakes engineering environment. Based in key Texas hubs like Starbase or McGregor, the program covers intensive topics such as launch operations, spacecraft hardware design, and software development for flight systems. You will engage in hands-on activities like prototyping vehicle components, troubleshooting IT infrastructure for mission-critical systems, and assisting with manufacturing logistics for Starship or Falcon rockets. You will own your projects with real deadlines that impact actual missions and master technical proficiency in CAD or coding and develop professional resilience.
11. REACT @ TAMU
Location: Texas A&M University, TX
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors
REACT @ TAMU Chemistry is a summer research experience run by the Texas A&M University Department of Chemistry for high-achieving high school students. The program provides hands-on training with advanced laboratory tools such as UV/VIS spectroscopy, FTIR, NMR, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and microplastic analysis. You build skills in preparing solutions and reviewing scientific literature while learning about modern instruments, experimental methods, and core concepts in chemistry and molecular science. The program also features talks from professionals working across various chemistry fields.
12. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, TX
Stipend: None
Dates: Distance learning and remote projects: May – July | On-site internship: July 5 – 18 | Symposium: July 20 – 21
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are U.S. citizens and 16 years or older by July 5 and are first-time participants in the program
The SEES High School Summer Intern Program, run by NASA and UT Austin, gives students an immersive gateway into space and Earth science research. You’ll team up with NASA experts on investigations touching planetary surfaces, environmental systems, and aerospace design. Interns work with authentic satellite datasets, build and test prototype ideas, and apply coding to simulations and hardware as part of guided research projects. Focus areas range from Mars missions to climate science to the dynamics of high-altitude flight. It’s a chance to see how scientific thinking, imagination, and STEM skills are used to tackle real challenges beyond our atmosphere.
13. Sustainable Futures Academy
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Stipend: None
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: June 7
Eligibility: Female high school students entering 10th or 11th grade; male and non-binary students also eligible
The Rice Sustainable Futures Academy is a free, weeklong summer program designed for high school students interested in sustainability and engineering. You take part in laboratory projects that involve building devices such as roller coasters and landing capsules to investigate concepts in motion and circuitry. Tools like Micro:bits and TI Nspire Rovers help you apply physics principles to practical engineering problems. While the program emphasizes sustainable design, it also reinforces key physics ideas, including forces, energy, and motion, through interactive, problem-solving activities.
14. STARS Career Discovery Program
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Stipend: None
Dates: September–May; evening sessions held once a month during the school year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students from Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding Texas areas
Aspiring medical professionals can gain firsthand exposure to the biomedical field through UT Southwestern’s STARS Career Discovery Program. By attending monthly sessions on campus throughout the academic year, you engage in interactive activities and lectures led by experienced faculty and dedicated volunteers. This initiative bridges the gap between classroom learning and professional reality, allowing you to explore various healthcare paths alongside industry experts. High school students use these direct insights to make educated choices about their college majors and long-term career goals in the sciences and medicine.
15. HSRA Summer Program
Location: The University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: $4,000; need-based scholarship is available
Dates: June 8 – July 15
Application Deadline: March 23 (Tentative)
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors living in Texas | 15 years or older by June 1
The High School Research Academy (HSRA) at UT Austin offers students a five-week immersion in real scientific research. It places you in the College of Natural Sciences labs, where you explore areas such as organic chemistry, genome engineering, ecology, and biochemistry. The experience centers on hands-on experiments, data analysis, and receiving guidance from UT faculty and student mentors. Seminars are held every Wednesday, featuring guest experts who discuss their work and career paths. At the end of the program, you showcase your research through a printed poster at the HSRA Research Symposium. Overall, the academy provides a strong introduction to how academic research is conducted.
Image source - NASA Logo