11 STEM Programs for High School Students in NYC
If you are a high school student interested in STEM, participating in a structured program can help you explore academic subjects beyond what is typically covered in school. Many programs are built around research, problem-solving, and project-based learning, giving students opportunities to engage with scientific and technical questions in a more focused setting. These experiences can help you develop technical and analytical skills while gaining a better understanding of potential academic and career interests.
Why should you attend a STEM program in New York City?
New York City is home to institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Rockefeller University, New York University, Columbia University, and the American Museum of Natural History that offer STEM programs for high school students. Students in these programs may work in research laboratories, contribute to ongoing scientific studies, attend college-level courses, or explore fields such as healthcare, engineering, artificial intelligence, and environmental science. Whether you are interested in research, college preparation, or exploring a specific STEM discipline, NYC offers a wide variety of programs and learning environments.
To help you find the right fit, we have compiled a list of 11 STEM programs for high school students in NYC.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
Key Takeaways
Best free options with stipend: HOPP at MSK ($1,200), NYU ARISE ($2,000), AMNH SRMP ($2,500), Baruch STEM Research Academy ($1,575), Simons Summer Research Program (stipend at closing)
Best for AI/ML: Veritas AI (virtual, year-round, financial aid available), NYU ARISE (AI and machine learning labs available), AMNH SRMP (Python and R coding integrated)
Best for lab research: Rockefeller SSRP, NYU ARISE, NYU GSTEM, HOPP at MSK, Simons at Stony Brook
Best for college prep + STEM: Columbia S-PREP, NYU STEP, Baruch STEM Research Academy
1. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center HOPP Summer Student Program
Location: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY
Cost: Free (Paid stipend of $1,200)
Application deadline: February 6
Program dates: June 29 – August 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors with a permanent address within 25 miles of MSK's main campus in Manhattan; minimum 3.5 GPA in science subjects; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; ages 14+
The MSK Summer Student Program is an eight-week biomedical research internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, one of the world's leading cancer research institutions. You will be placed in an active research lab and work full-time under the direct supervision of a faculty mentor on a self-directed project supporting the lab's broader research objectives. Research areas span cancer biology, immunology, computational biology, chemical biology, pharmacology, and structural biology. The program also includes professional development sessions hosted by MSK clinical departments covering translational medicine and life as a scientist. It concludes with a poster session during the closing ceremony, where students present their findings to the broader MSK community.
2. Veritas AI Scholars and Fellowship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (Financial aid available)
Program Dates: Multiple dates throughout the year.
Application deadline: Rolling. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI Scholars bootcamp, students learn the fundamentals of AI, ML, and Python while working on collaborative, real-world projects under the guidance of AI practitioners and researchers. Students get to engage in live lectures, coding notebooks, and hands-on, real-world projects. In the AI Fellowship, students work 1-1 with PhDs from top universities to create a personalized AI model/research paper over 12-15 weeks. Students can opt to work on a project of their choice at the intersection of AI and finance, AI & medicine, AI & gaming, AI & sport, and more.
3. Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program
Location: The Rockefeller University, Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY
Cost: Free
Application deadline: January 2
Program dates: June 22 – August 6
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors; ages 16+ at program start
At the Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program (SSRP), you will engage in authentic scientific research alongside a team designed and led by experienced Rockefeller trainees. Each team, composed of about 8 SSRP scholars, is led by a trainee who acts as the team lead, with additional support from dedicated scientist-mentors. You'll work in your own space within the RockEDU lab, focusing on a project that aligns with both the team lead's expertise and your own scientific interests. The program also allows you to participate in elective scientific courses, guest lectures, and social events.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (Financial aid available)
Program dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: All high school students
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.
5. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; $2,000 stipend offered upon completion
Application deadline: February 2
Program dates: June 1 - August 14
Eligibility: New York City high school students currently enrolled in the 10th or 11th grade with strong academic records and demonstrated interest in STEM subjects
ARISE is a free 10-week summer research program at NYU Tandon, where high school students are placed in one of over 80 university research labs across fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, bioengineering, and more. The first four weeks are remote, covering lab safety training, college writing workshops, and research skills development, before students transition to full-time in-person lab work at NYU Tandon's Brooklyn campus. The program concludes with a colloquium presentation at NYU and a poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History. Students also have access to professional development workshops covering expository writing, resume building, and college major selection throughout the summer.
6. American Museum of Natural History Science Research Mentoring Program
Location: American Museum of Natural History, Upper West Side, Manhattan, NY
Cost: Free (Stipend of $2,500)
Application deadline: March 1
Program dates: August through June (year-long); begins with a three-week Summer Institute in August
Eligibility: You must be in the 10th or 11th Grade and passing your classes for the last three or more semesters. You must also meet the requirements listed here.
SRMP is a year-long paid research program at the American Museum of Natural History, where NYC high school students conduct authentic scientific research alongside AMNH-affiliated scientists. The program begins with a three-week Summer Institute in August, followed by twice-weekly after-school mentor meetings throughout the school year and monthly Friday workshops. Research projects span conservation biology, evolutionary biology, genetics and genomics, anthropology, astronomy, astrophysics, and Earth and planetary sciences, with students developing skills in areas such as DNA analysis, Python and R coding, and interpreting telescope data. Students present their completed research at an annual Student Research Colloquium at the end of the program year.
7. Baruch College STEM Research Academy
Location: Baruch College, Manhattan, NY
Cost: Free; $1,575 stipend awarded upon completion of summer experience
Application deadline: December
Program dates: Spring course: late January to mid-May; Summer research: July to mid-August
Eligibility: Must be a current NYC Public High School 10th or 11th grader when applying by December with an overall 80+ average.
The Baruch College STEM Research Academy is a two-semester program aimed at NYC public high school students. Initially, during the spring semester, you will be enrolled in a college-credit research methods course designed to equip you with the essential tools of scientific inquiry. This includes formulating research questions, designing experiments, conducting literature searches, and critically engaging with the scientific literature, all aimed at preparing you for the expectations and rigor of working in a research lab. Successful completion of this course, with at least a grade of C, paves the way for a hands-on, six-week summer research experience under the guidance of CUNY research faculty, where you can choose to dive into a research internship. The program's objectives are to develop a profound understanding of the nature of science, to acquaint students with the culture of scientific research, and to enhance literacy skills critical for success in science. This culminates in a team-based presentation of your research findings at the CUNY STEM Research Exhibition and the NYC Science Research Mentoring Consortium Summer Symposium.
8. Columbia S-PREP
Location: Columbia University, Manhattan, NY
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Not specified; check website for updates
Program dates: July (Monday through Friday); Academic year session: October through May (Saturdays)
Eligibility: 7-12th graders who maintain at least an 80% grade average, particularly in math and science
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is an initiative offered by the Office of Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Columbia University. This program is tailored for 7th through 12th graders who aspire to careers in medicine or related STEM fields. S-PREP aims to increase the representation and enhance the educational pathways of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students into the realms of mathematics, science, technology, health-related fields, and licensed professions. During the summer session, classes run from Monday to Friday throughout July, covering a broad range of subjects from anatomy to statistics, including preparatory courses for the PSAT. The program includes college preparation and career development workshops, personalized college and academic counseling, and enrichment opportunities such as field trips and college tours.
9. NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)
Location: NYU Campus, New York, NY
Cost: $350
Application deadline: Varies by session; check the website for updates
Program dates: June 29 - July 30
Eligibility: NYC public high school students in 10th or 11th grade; minimum 80 overall average; priority given to students from underrepresented groups in science
The NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) provides you with the tools and knowledge necessary to excel in scientific and technological disciplines. Morning enrichment classes form the core academic component of STEP, covering a wide range of subjects including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus AB, and calculus BC. This rigorous academic preparation is complemented by the opportunity to engage in scientific or technological research at NYU facilities. Beyond academics and research, STEP includes afternoon elective classes in fields such as internet technologies, art and design, engineering, and clinical medicine. The program provides specialized services to juniors and seniors through college-prep classes, career exploration seminars, and panel discussions with professionals.
10. Simons Summer Research Program – Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: Free; stipend awarded at closing symposium. Residential option fee: $2450
Application Deadline: April
Program Dates: June 29 – August 7
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently in 11th grade; ages 16+
The Simons Summer Research Program is a six-week research apprenticeship at Stony Brook University, where high school juniors are matched with faculty mentors and embedded in active research groups across a wide range of scientific disciplines. Students select their top three preferred research areas on their application and work on a dedicated project for the duration of the program, attending weekly faculty research talks and participating in workshops, lab tours, and special events alongside their lab work. The program concludes with a poster symposium where students present their research findings and receive a stipend.
11. NYU GSTEM
Location: NYU Courant Institute, Greenwich Village, Manhattan, NY; optional on-campus housing available
Cost: $5,750; housing with meal plan $3,840 additional; financial aid available
Application deadline: March 2
Program dates: June 29 – August 7
Eligibility: Current high school juniors with strong aptitude in STEM; international students must already be in the U.S. on an F-1 visa
NYU GSTEM is committed to introducing you to scientific research, mentorship, and access to a wide peer network. The program starts off with a week of orientation, followed by five weeks of intensive research under the guidance of a STEM mentor. During this period, you will work on a specific research project, which could range from optimizing whole-brain labeling methods for visualizing dopaminergic neurons to exploring the effects of ethidium bromide on multiple tryptophan residues in EmrE. In addition to the research component, NYU GSTEM offers field trips to places like the Museum of Math, Google, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. These provide valuable real-world insights into the applications of STEM in various sectors. Furthermore, the program offers workshops in scientific writing and presenting, equipping you with the skills necessary to effectively communicate your research findings. By the end of the program, you will have completed a significant research project, developed scientific writing and presentation skills, and gained exposure to how STEM research is applied across industries.