15 STEM Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in STEM, learning beyond the classroom can prepare you for future academics and career opportunities. This is where STEM programs come in. These programs offer opportunities to explore your interests in science, tech, math, and engineering, and pick up skills that will help you pursue your field of choice in the future.
As a participant, you can choose from various STEM opportunities based on your interests, from designing apps and building robots to modeling climate data or running experiments in university labs. These programs give you a chance to test-drive future careers, work alongside experts, and see how STEM shapes the world around us.
To help you get started, here is a list of 15 STEM programs for high school students.
1. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 22 – August 2 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school juniors who meet the RSI academic prerequisites
Application deadline: Typically, December/January
RSI is a STEM-focused program that allows high school students to gain experience in scientific research at MIT. Hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education, RSI invites 80–100 students each year to engage in hands-on work on a research project under the guidance of MIT professors and scientists. You will begin the program with a week of seminars covering research topics in STEM and the humanities. You will spend the next five weeks working on a research project, which can focus on a STEM topic of your choice. In the final week, you will deliver an oral and written presentation discussing your findings. Field trips to local science and technology facilities are also part of the RSI experience.
2. Veritas AI Programs
Location: Online
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts in a year, including in the summer
Cost: Varies by program; need-based aid available
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship applicants must have completed AI Scholars or have prior AI/Python experience
Application deadline: May/June for summer sessions
Veritas AI’s programs offer high school students the chance to explore artificial intelligence through hands-on, mentor-guided learning. The AI Scholars program can help you learn how AI can be applied to real-world engineering problems, combining core principles of machine learning and data analysis with problem-solving in areas such as design, systems, and technology. In the AI Fellowship program, you will work closely with mentors to develop your own research ideas, moving from foundational concepts to an independent project that reflects your specific interests. You can use this opportunity to dive deeper into the applications of AI in various fields and gain experience in working with AI models and simulation.
3. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Location: Multiple U.S. universities and labs, including various sites in Illinois
Dates: 6 to 10 weeks in the May–August period; dates vary based on the opportunity
Stipend: An educational stipend is offered; exact details not specified
Eligibility: High school students; additional requirements may vary for each opportunity
Application deadline: Rolling basis
These Internships are Army-sponsored, research-based opportunities for high schoolers interested in STEM. Here, you will spend the summer contributing to research under the mentorship of a university researcher or a Department of Defence scientist. You may be assigned tasks like experimentation, data collection, analysis, and comparison of data sets. You may explore fields like biology, chemistry, civil engineering, military engineering, and geospatial engineering, depending on your placement. During the program, you will also have access to workshops and learning materials to develop professional skills and prepare for future STEM academics.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Online
Dates: Offered year-round in seasonal cohorts
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid available
Eligibility: High school students (most accepted students are 10th/11th graders) in good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA); a few tracks come with prerequisites
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
The Horizon Academic Research Program is an opportunity to conduct undergraduate-level research under the mentorship of professors/Ph.D. scholars. This virtual program is designed to help you produce your own 20-page research paper. You can join Horizon Seminars (3–6 students) or Horizon Labs (1-on-1 mentorship) to conduct research in any STEM field. You will spend 8–10 hours every week attending lectures, conducting data analysis, and writing your paper. Publication opportunities are available for Lab students.
5. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or in-person at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available; no stipend
Eligibility: Students who are at least 15 years old
Application deadline: February 2
ASSIP offers on-campus and virtual research internships in various STEM fields, including chemistry, neuroscience, statistics, computer science, engineering, medicine, and physics. You can choose a mentor engaging in research within your preferred STEM track to contribute to their work and develop research skills. You will also find opportunities to refine scientific writing and communication skills over eight weeks. During the program, you will learn about STEM career paths while engaging in discussions led by professors, researchers, or professionals. The program ends with a symposium, where you will learn about the STEM research conducted at ASSIP over the summer.
6. NASA & University of Texas at Austin’s STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)
Location: Remote and in-person at the University of Texas at Austin, TX
Dates: Distance learning modules: May 19 – July 1; remote project work: June – July 5; on-site internship: July 6 – 19; virtual science symposium: July 21 – 22
Cost: Free (includes housing, meals, local transportation; limited travel scholarships available)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 and U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Application deadline: February 22
The SEES Summer Intern Program offers high school students a competitive opportunity to engage in authentic NASA research in Earth and space sciences. You will work alongside scientists and engineers at UT Austin’s Center for Space Research, analyzing satellite data and exploring Earth systems, climate science, and natural hazards. The program combines pre-internship distance learning modules with hands-on on-site research, allowing you to gain theoretical and practical exposure to data visualization, Python programming, and remote sensing. Within your project teams, you will present your findings at the Virtual SEES Science Symposium. This experience can help you gain insights into STEM research and mentorship from NASA experts.
7. Carnegie Mellon University’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Dates: June 21 – August 2 + Virtual Jumpstart: June 16–17
Cost: Fully funded
Eligibility: Current 11th graders (rising seniors) who are 16+
Application deadline: March 1
SAMS is a six-week pre-college program designed for high school students from underrepresented communities who are passionate about STEM. The program combines classroom learning, hands-on projects, and mentorship from CMU faculty and staff. You will learn about research in chemistry, biochemistry, cellular biology, and molecular biology, and work on a research project during the program. You will also enroll in a credit-bearing course to explore your academic interests and participate in weekly writing workshops to prepare for college applications. At the end of SAMS, you will present your STEM project at a symposium.
8. MITES Summer
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Dates: Late June – early August (six weeks)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
Application deadline: Typically early February
MITES Summer is a six-week, fully funded residential program at MIT that allows you to engage in rigorous math, science, and humanities coursework. You will take five courses and project-based electives in engineering design, machine learning, or architecture alongside peers from across the country. The experience combines academics with lab tours, seminars, college counseling, and community-building activities. You will live on campus, explore the Greater Boston area, and engage with faculty, alumni, and admissions counselors. You will also receive a written evaluation highlighting your strengths and growth areas, which can be helpful for future college applications.
9. √mathroots @ MIT
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (tuition, room, and board covered; students only cover travel)
Dates: July 1 – 15
Eligibility: High school students
Application deadline: Typically, early spring
MIT’s √mathroots is a 14-day residential summer program hosted by MIT-PRIMES for high-potential high school students who want to explore creative mathematics and problem solving beyond the standard school curriculum. You will dive into new mathematical ideas through classes, group activities, and lectures while also learning mathematical proof and other topics in math. You will get to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds and math instructors. The program can also offer you insights into research and competition-based mathematics.
10. NYU SPARC
Location: New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – 18; Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Cost: $3,300
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15+
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
NYU’s Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding, or SPARC, introduces high schoolers to the basics of robotics, mechatronics, and programming. Over two weeks, you will learn about applications of microcontrollers, interface sensors, and actuators while working with a robotics kit. You will learn coding concepts like variables, conditionals, loops, and binary code to build and program robotic devices. You will work with circuitry, electronic components, and automation systems during the program. You will also test your robot in tournament-style challenges.
11. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Online or in-person at Stanford University, CA
Dates: Online Session 1: June 16 – July 4 | Online Session 2: July 7 – 25 | Residential: June 22 – July 18
Cost: Online: $3,580 (plus up to $100 for course materials) | Residential: $8,575
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th-grade students
Application deadline: February 3
SUMaC offers high school students a deep dive into advanced mathematics. Here, you will explore topics like abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology beyond the standard curriculum while engaging in lectures, guided research, and collaborative problem solving. In the process, you will develop critical thinking and independent reasoning skills while also refining collaboration skills. If you attend in person, you will have access to social events and campus life at Stanford. Meanwhile, the online sessions offer live instruction, virtual guest lectures, and interactive problem-solving sessions. Both formats offer equal levels of rigor and culminate in a final research project presentation, allowing you to demonstrate your understanding of advanced concepts.
12. Rice University Precollege Online STEM Programs
Location: Online
Dates: Courses of varying lengths available throughout the year
Cost: $1,795/course
Eligibility: Students, ages 13+
Application deadline: Rolling admissions (varies by course start date)
Rice University’s STEM programs offer high school students the chance to explore science and engineering topics before college. You can choose from various STEM tracks, such as genome engineering, physiology, medicine, space exploration, engineering, and psychology. Each course offers access to video lectures by Rice faculty and the mentorship of experts. You will engage in 20–30 hours of instruction and activities, learning at your own pace while still receiving personalized feedback. The program also features a capstone project, where you get to demonstrate what you have learned during the program.
13. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Programs
Location: Online or at various university campuses
Dates: Vary by course
Cost: Varies by course
Eligibility: Students in grades 2–12 who are academically advanced learners
Application deadline: Varies by course
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth offers rigorous online and in-person courses across subject areas, including STEM. You can find courses in STEM covering topics in environmental science, chemistry, competitive math, robotics, and creative coding, among others. Each course is led by expert instructors. You will attend lectures, work on assignments, and group or individual projects. If you choose online courses, you will learn on your own schedule while also being able to access instructor support.
14. Northwestern Pre-college Online Program: Engineering
Location: Online
Dates: Sessions available throughout the year
Cost: $1,895
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
Application deadline: One week prior to each session start date
This online course introduces students to the design process and problem-solving techniques used by engineers across multiple disciplines. You will learn how engineers collaborate to solve complex problems, considering ethical, technical, and human-centered factors. Each course culminates in a capstone project, where you will apply what you have learned to a real-world engineering problem under the guidance of a mentor. The online course offers instruction and engineering exposure through video lessons, simulations, and mentorship.
15. Dartmouth Precollege Online STEM Programs
Location: Online
Dates: Courses of varying lengths available throughout the year
Cost: $1,895/course
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
Deadline: Rolling
Dartmouth’s Precollege Online STEM Courses offer you year-round opportunities to explore STEM subjects from anywhere in the world. Designed by Dartmouth instructors, the courses cover topics such as psychology, regenerative medicine, and biology. The program emphasizes independent exploration combined with structured guidance. You can enroll in more than one course across these STEM fields. Each course requires 20–30 hours of learning and concludes with a capstone project, where you will demonstrate your knowledge through creative presentations.
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