14 STEM Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you are a high school student interested in STEM, a structured program can be a great option to explore. STEM programs are a good way for you to gain exposure to research, industry practices, and problem-solving skills that go far beyond the classroom. From coding and robotics to biomedical research and engineering, STEM programs help you discover your interests while also building valuable skills before college.
In Texas, many universities and organisations offer summer programs designed to give you experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These programs are ideal for Texas-based students looking to explore opportunities close to home, as well as out-of-state students eager to engage with the state’s strong research and innovation ecosystem. You can work with researchers in universities and labs, work on projects that interest you, and develop a strong set of skills in your field of interest.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 14 STEM programs for high school students in Texas.
1. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Stipend: $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; only 12 students per cohort
Dates: June 22 - August 7
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 17 years old by the program start date
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is an intensive, seven-week summer research program at Texas Tech University that immerses twelve selected high school juniors and seniors in research under faculty mentors. You can apply to a range of disciplines including computer science, chemistry, engineering, biology, physics, and electrical/computer engineering. Throughout the program, you will engage in lab or computational work, attend weekly seminars, field trips, and social/research-oriented programming. At the end, each scholar completes a research project and receives a $750 stipend, a college-like experience, and a boost in both research and academic credentials.
2. Veritas AI STEM Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
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, created and led by Harvard graduate students, runs specialized programs for high schoolers eager to explore artificial intelligence. If you’re new to AI, machine learning, or data science, the AI Scholars Program is a great starting point—this 10-session bootcamp introduces the fundamentals and gives you the chance to apply concepts through projects. For students ready to dive deeper, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers a more advanced path. In this program, you’ll work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a customized project. A benefit is access to Veritas AI’s in-house publication team, which supports students in publishing their work in high school research journals. You can apply to the program here.
3. Houston Methodist’s Summer Internship Program for High Schoolers
Location: Houston Methodist Hospital campus in the Texas Medical Centre, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Must be a high school junior or senior, at least 16 years old by the start of the program
Houston Methodist’s High School Summer Internship Program is designed for academically strong students interested in medicine and research. You’ll work in a translational research lab and gain experience under the guidance of a mentor who matches your academic and career interests. Over the course of the summer, you’ll contribute to an ongoing research project and present your work at a scientific poster symposium hosted at Houston Methodist. In addition to lab training, you’ll take part in career development sessions covering topics like scientific writing, data analysis, and preparation for college.
4. Horizon STEM Track
Location: Virtual
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
Horizon runs trimester-long research programs for high school students in areas ranging from data science and machine learning to political theory and beyond. It’s one of the few opportunities that allows you to choose between quantitative and qualitative research, depending on your interests. After selecting your subject track, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar who will mentor you throughout the program. By the end, you’ll produce a 20-page research paper with the potential for submission to well-regarded journals. In addition, every student receives a detailed project review and a recommendation letter, both of which can strengthen future academic and research pursuits.
5. Texas High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Virtual / in-person at NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Year-long program; check program dates here
Application Deadline: September 24
Eligibility: Must be a Texas high school junior
NASA’s High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) is a year-long STEM program designed especially for Texas high school juniors who are curious about space exploration, engineering, aeronautics, and Earth science. You’ll start in the fall with online modules that cover topics like space technology, NASA missions, aeronautics, and Earth systems, developing skills in coding, CAD, engineering problem solving, and teamwork. Top performers in those online modules will be invited to participate in Moonshot, a five-day virtual NASA-mentored challenge that simulates mission planning and design. From there, some of the best teams gain access to an all-expenses-paid residential experience at the Johnson Space Center, where you will dive deeper into challenges alongside NASA scientists and engineers.
6. Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, TX
Stipend: $6,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective—only up to 12 students are accepted each summer
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: Open only to current Texas high school seniors who are 18+ years old by the program start
The High School Summer Program at MD Anderson (King Foundation) introduces Texas high school seniors to biomedical research for ten weeks under the guidance of MD Anderson faculty. You will conduct research in MD Anderson laboratories, gaining a sense of what biomedical investigation entails. The experience is enhanced by seminars across various scientific topics, competitions including poster, abstract, and elevator speech formats, and a final presentation with a celebration luncheon. While you will manage your own housing and transportation, the generous stipend helps offset living costs.
7. Baylor College of Medicine’s Saturday Morning Science (SMS) Summer Research Program
Location: Baylor College of Medicine, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive;
Dates: June 11 – August 4
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Must be 18 years or older by program start; previous Saturday Morning Science participation or affiliation with certain undergraduate affiliate programs
The SMS Summer Research Program is an eight-week lab experience at Baylor College of Medicine for select students who have already participated in SMS or affiliate programs. As “Summer Project Interns,” you will work on research projects under BCM faculty, contributing in lab settings. In addition to lab work, there are weekly ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions, required research meetings and special seminars tailored to each student’s lab group. At the end of the summer, you will present your findings at the SMS Summer Research Symposium and may also get opportunities to present within your research groups and in broader academic venues.
8. DACCPM Summer Research Program
Location: MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 20
Eligibility: High school students must be 18 or older by the start of the program
The DACCPM Summer Research Program is a 10-week research experience for high school students interested in medicine and healthcare. During the program, you’ll work on a dedicated project, conduct literature reviews, and gain training in data management. Along the way, you’ll build skills in statistical analysis, research writing, and presenting scientific findings. By the end of the program, you’ll share your work at a final symposium, with your project abstract featured in the annual CATALYST Summer Program abstract book. The program also offers workshops on preparing for graduate school and insights into a variety of medical career pathways.
9. Rice STEM Academy
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited
Dates: July 7-July 11
Application Deadline: Generally around mid-January
Eligibility: High school girls entering 10th or 11th grade; in addition, boys and non-binary students in 10th grade can apply
The Rice STEM Academy is a free, week-long summer program designed for high school girls interested in science and engineering. Offered in collaboration with Design Connect Create at Rice University, it provides exposure to sustainability-focused engineering and research. Throughout the week, you’ll spend time in Rice labs, learning directly from faculty and engaging with graduate students. Activities include building circuits, programming with Micro Bits, and experimenting with robotics using TI-Nspire Rovers. You’ll also tackle engineering challenges like designing landing capsules and apply physics concepts to create innovative, sustainability-driven solutions.
10. University of Houston Mohan Lab Summer Internship
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX.
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 2–July 25
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising seniors (those who have completed 11th grade)
MOHAN Lab’s High School Summer Internship gives rising high school seniors research experience over eight weeks, following a short 1-2 week instruction period to learn lab basics. You will work under a graduate student or scientist mentor, often contributing to ongoing biomedical engineering or health-related research projects. At the end of the internship, you will present your work at the joint laboratory meeting. Some students may be able to continue with the lab afterwards, helping with manuscript writing or deeper data analysis.
11. The Health Museum — Global Teen Medical Summit
Location: In-person at The Health Museum and across medical / hospital labs in Houston, Texas.
Cost: Program cost between $1,650–$1,750 (member vs non-member pricing)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 13-July 18
Application Deadline: Generally early June
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14-18
The Global Teen Medical Summit is a week-long experience based in Houston that allows high school students to explore modern-day challenges in medicine and bioscience through activities and hospital tours. You’ll visit laboratories, hospitals, and medical centre innovation labs; work on group projects like ethical case studies and design challenges; and hear from healthcare professionals on the front lines. There are also simulated medical procedures, behind-the-scenes lab tours, and opportunities to present your group’s research or design solution. Overnight accommodation in local college dorms and social/team-building events are part of the experience. Scholarships are available to make it more affordable for students who need financial help.
12. Rice University’s ELITE Tech Camps
Location: Rice University Campus, Houston, TX
Cost: Tuition for residential session is $3,795; commuter option is $1,695
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22-June 28, July 6-July 12, July 13-July 19, July 20-July 26 for residential sessions.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
Rice ELITE Tech Camp offers high school students a week-long experience in technology, engineering, and leadership at Rice University. Designed and led by Rice engineering faculty and RCEL, the curriculum includes STEM learning, engineering design challenges, and technical courses. Examples include programming in Python, 3D modelling/printing, applied machine learning, and robotics. You will also engage in leadership and college readiness sessions, gaining exposure to engineering tools and problem-solving methodologies.
13. University of Texas, Austin’s Summer High School Research Academy (HSRA)
Location: University of Texas at Austin campus
Cost: $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 9 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Texas residents; high school students rising sophomores, juniors or seniors; must be at least 15 years old by program start
The UT Austin High School Research Academy (HSRA) is an immersive, five-week summer program for high school students. You will engage in research and projects within the College of Natural Sciences laboratories. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach, exposing you to fields like neuroscience, biology, biochemistry, data analytics, ecology, genome engineering, genetics, environmental science, and more. You’ll gain insight into the day-to-day life of a researcher and learn advanced research techniques. UT students and faculty provide mentorship, and you’ll benefit from educational Wednesday Seminars featuring guest speakers from various scientific disciplines. The program concludes with a poster presentation at the HSRA Research Symposium, allowing you to showcase your work to peers and professionals.
14. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $850 participation fee, plus a $40 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25 students are accepted
Dates: June 16–June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Must be a high school student entering grades 9-12; aged 14 or older by program start
Stanford’s AIMI Summer Research Internship is a two-week virtual program designed for high school students interested in the convergence of artificial intelligence and healthcare. You’ll attend introductory lectures on clinical and technical fundamentals, collaborate on group projects, and be mentored by Stanford student leads and researchers. Alongside research work, there are career and guest speaker sessions with professionals from academia, industry, nonprofits, and government. You can also take part in an extended independent research internship, where you’ll be encouraged to design innovative AI solutions aimed at improving human health. Upon completion, you receive a Certificate of Completion.
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