15 STEM Summer Programs for High School Students in Chicago
STEM summer programs give you a way to explore subjects beyond your school curriculum through structured work. You might build projects, analyze data, or take part in lab-based research, and many programs introduce practical skills such as coding, experimental design, and engineering problem-solving. Some programs are run by universities or research institutes, giving you exposure to academic environments and ongoing work in the field.
Why should you attend a STEM program in Chicago?
Chicago is home to institutions such as the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois Chicago, and the Illinois Institute of Technology that offer STEM programs for high school students. Through these programs, you may conduct research, study fields such as engineering, biology, computer science, and data science, or work with faculty and researchers in university and laboratory settings. Whether you are looking for a research internship, a residential summer program, or a virtual opportunity, Chicago offers STEM programs across a wide range of scientific disciplines.
Below, we’ve narrowed down a list of 15 STEM summer programs for high school students in Chicago.
If you’re looking for AI programs in Chicago, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These programs span data science and AI (DSI Summer Lab, Veritas AI, Digital Scholars), cancer and biomedical research (Chicago EYES on Cancer, ResearcHStart, Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology), engineering (UIC Engineering Summer Camp, SHARP!), and specialized fields like quantum science (Quantum Quickstart) and paleontology (Stones and Bones).
Several programs are free and include stipends, including DSI Summer Lab ($5,600), Chicago EYES on Cancer ($5,000), ResearcHStart ($3,000), Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology ($500), and Digital Scholars Program (free with no stipend listed).
Many Chicago-based programs are geographically restricted to Illinois residents or students from specific counties, including DSI Summer Lab (Chicago area), Chicago EYES on Cancer (select Illinois counties), ResearcHStart (Illinois-based institutions), and Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology (select Illinois and Indiana counties).
Program lengths vary significantly, from short one-week experiences (UIC Engineering Summer Camp, Neubauer Phoenix STEM Scholars, Quantum Quickstart) to extended multi-week commitments like Chicago EYES on Cancer (two consecutive summers) and Stones and Bones (four weeks including fieldwork in Wyoming).
Several University of Chicago programs cost over $5,000, including Career Insight ($5,890), Understanding AI ($9,300), RIBS ($15,200), and Stones and Bones ($15,200), though most offer financial aid.
1. DSI Summer Lab
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $5,600 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students from the Chicago area
This eight-week program places you in a research group at the University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute, where you work alongside undergraduate students and mentors. You’ll contribute to ongoing projects across areas like data science, public policy, climate research, and biomedicine, often working in teams. The experience is structured like a full-time research role, with a mix of coding, data analysis, and group collaboration throughout the week. You are not just learning concepts; you are also actively contributing to interdisciplinary research projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. Along the way, you build familiarity with research methods and technical tools used in data-driven fields. The program ends with a presentation of your work, reflecting what you’ve explored over the summer.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple sessions across Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Rolling; May (Summer), September (Fall), November (Winter), January (Spring)
Eligibility: AI Scholars: open to all high school students; AI Fellowship: prior experience with AI concepts or Python or completion of AI Scholars
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in 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 have the opportunity 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. Chicago EYES on Cancer
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $5,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June – August (two consecutive summers)
Application Deadline: December
Eligibility: Students aged 16+ from select Illinois counties
This is a multi-year program where you spend your summers working in research labs focused on cancer biology and related fields. During the summer, you’re in the lab full-time, participating in experiments and learning techniques used in areas like immunology and molecular biology. The program also includes workshops and lectures that introduce research careers and academic pathways. What stands out is the two-summer structure, which allows you to continue building on your work rather than starting from scratch each year. Throughout the year, you stay connected through monthly sessions that reinforce what you learned. At the end of the program, you present your research findings in a formal setting.
4. Lumiere Research Scholars Program – STEM Track
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (May for Summer)
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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. ResearcHStart
Location: Multiple universities in Illinois
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $3,000 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 30 students
Program Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; age 16+
This program places you in a lab at one of several partner institutions, where you take part in cancer-related research projects. Over the summer, you work full-time in the lab, learning experimental techniques and contributing to studies in areas such as bioengineering and cancer therapeutics. The schedule also includes seminars, workshops, and mentorship from both faculty and peers. The program is selective and limited in size, which means you’re working in small groups with close guidance from researchers. At the end, you present your work to an audience that includes scientists and community members.
6. Digital Scholars Program
Location: Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: 10th–11th grade students or graduating seniors
This six-week program introduces you to different areas within computing and technology through hands-on coursework. You choose a track such as data science, programming, app development, or engineering, and spend your time working on related projects. Activities might include building simple apps, designing circuits, or analyzing datasets. The program focuses on project-based learning, so most of your time is spent creating and testing your own work rather than attending lectures. Alongside your technical work, you attend sessions with guest speakers and participate in workshops exploring careers in tech.
7. Neubauer Phoenix STEM Summer Scholars
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $2,500; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 26 – 31
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: 11th grade students; age 15+
This program combines an online math component with a short residential experience at the University of Chicago. Before arriving on campus, you complete a virtual course that prepares you for the in-person portion. During the residential week, you attend sample classes, explore research facilities, and meet faculty working in different STEM areas. You also visit major research institutions like Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab, which gives you exposure beyond the university itself. The schedule includes both academic sessions and opportunities to learn about research environments. It’s a short program designed to give you a quick overview of STEM study at the college level.
8. Engineering Summer Camp
Location: University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students
This one-week program introduces you to engineering through team-based design challenges, where you work in small groups to build and test solutions in areas like robotics, coding, and biomechanics. Each day focuses on a different type of problem, with guidance from faculty and graduate students, emphasizing the design, testing, and improvement of prototypes rather than just learning theory. The experience also includes lab visits and campus exposure to give you a sense of how engineering students work in college. By the end of the week, you’ll have completed several hands-on projects.
9. Quantum Quickstart
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $2,500; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 26 – 31
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: 9th–10th grade students; age 14+
This residential program introduces you to the basics of quantum science and technology. You attend lectures and discussions that cover foundational ideas in quantum mechanics and their applications to computing. The program also includes guided tours of research labs and facilities. You explore both the theory behind quantum systems and how these ideas are being used in emerging technologies. Some sessions explain academic and career paths in STEM. The experience is short but offers you an early look at a specialized field.
10. SHARP! Program
Location: University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $3,500; scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+
This program begins with a summer research experience and continues into the academic year with ongoing project work. During the summer, you spend time in labs working on topics that combine engineering and medicine, such as robotics or tissue engineering. You collaborate with mentors and peers while learning how to approach real-world problems. The program extends beyond the summer, allowing you to keep developing your project and skills over a longer period. You also take part in professional development sessions and group activities. By the end, you may earn college credit depending on your participation.
11. Career Insight: Technology and Innovation
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $5,890; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – 25
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Grades 9–11
This two-week residential program introduces you to several STEM fields, including AI, engineering, and nanotechnology. Mornings are focused on academic sessions with faculty, where you explore core ideas through lectures and activities. In the afternoons, you shift to applied learning through workshops, site visits, and conversations with professionals. The structure alternates between classroom-style learning and exposure to real-world technology applications. You also learn about how these fields connect to different careers.
12. Understanding AI: Technical, Socio-Ethical, and Career Lens
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $9,300; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 7 – 23
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Grades 9–11
This three-week course introduces artificial intelligence from multiple perspectives, including technical concepts and societal impact. In the first part, you learn how AI systems are built and apply that knowledge by creating a simple chatbot. The program then shifts toward discussions on ethics and the broader effects of AI on society. You work on both technical projects and a media-based assignment that explores the responsible use of AI. The final portion focuses on how AI connects to future careers and industries.
13. Stones and Bones Program
Location: University of Chicago and Field Museum, Chicago, IL and Wyoming
Cost: $15,200
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 16 students
Program Dates: June 15 – July 10
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: 10th–11th grade students
This four-week residential program focuses on paleontology through a mix of lab work in Chicago and field research in Wyoming. You begin by learning core concepts like geology, fossil analysis, and evolutionary biology while working with scientists at the Field Museum and the University of Chicago. The program then shifts to fieldwork, where you spend about two weeks at an active fossil site in the Green River Formation, collecting and interpreting specimens. You take part in the full research process, from excavating fossils in the field to preparing, cataloging, and analyzing them in museum labs. Daily life in Wyoming includes outdoor work, setting up camp, and collaborating closely with researchers and peers. Back in Chicago, you continue lab-based work using professional equipment and methods.
14. Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS)
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $15,200; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 13 – July 11
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: 10th–11th grade students with prior biology coursework
This four-week residential program focuses on lab-based research in biology. You begin by learning core techniques used in molecular and cellular biology, then move into a research project where you apply those methods. Most of your time is spent in the lab, supported by lectures that explain the science behind your experiments. You are expected to document your work, write regularly, and present your findings, as in academic research. The program also includes seminars led by faculty members.
15. Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology
Location: Online (University of Chicago and partner institutions)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $500 stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 13 – 24
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: High school students from select Illinois and Indiana counties
This virtual program introduces you to cancer research and healthcare through a mix of projects and lectures. You work on a genetics-based research assignment and a patient case study, exploring both scientific and clinical perspectives. The program includes daily sessions with researchers and healthcare professionals. You also receive a home lab kit, which allows you to complete hands-on activities while participating remotely. Group discussions and workshops are part of the schedule as well. The experience is short but structured around both learning and application.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best STEM summer programs for high school students in Chicago?
Strong options depend on a student's interests. Students drawn to data science and research might consider DSI Summer Lab or Lumiere Research Scholars; those interested in cancer biology might look at Chicago EYES on Cancer or ResearcHStart; and those interested in engineering and computing might consider the Digital Scholars Program or UIC Engineering Summer Camp.
Are there free STEM programs for high school students in Chicago?
Yes, DSI Summer Lab (with a $5,600 stipend), Chicago EYES on Cancer (with a $5,000 stipend), ResearcHStart (with a $3,000 stipend), Digital Scholars Program, and Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology (with a $500 stipend) are all free, though many are restricted to local or regional students.
Which Chicago STEM programs involve genuine research alongside university faculty?
DSI Summer Lab embeds students in UChicago research groups, Chicago EYES on Cancer places students in cancer biology labs over two summers, ResearcHStart assigns students to labs at partner institutions, and RIBS places students in molecular and cellular biology labs at UChicago.
Are there STEM programs in Chicago that focus specifically on AI or computing?
Yes, Veritas AI focuses on machine learning and independent AI projects, the Digital Scholars Program offers tracks in data science and app development, and Understanding AI at UChicago covers both the technical and ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence.
Which programs are open to students from outside Chicago or Illinois?
Veritas AI, Lumiere Research Scholar Program, and most University of Chicago residential programs, including RIBS, Quantum Quickstart, Stones and Bones, and Career Insight, are open to students nationally and internationally, while several free programs prioritize Chicago-area or Illinois residents.
When should I apply to STEM summer programs for high school students in Chicago?
Deadlines are concentrated in January through March. The earliest include DSI Summer Lab (January 12), Chicago EYES on Cancer (December for the following year), and ResearcHStart (January 19), while others like UIC Engineering Summer Camp (rolling) and Digital Scholars (May) fall later in the spring.