13 STEM Summer Programs for High School Students in Washington State
If you are a high school student interested in science, technology, engineering, or math, summer programs can be a good way to explore those fields further. These programs let you explore advanced topics like biomedical research, engineering, or artificial intelligence, while developing practical skills. Hosted by top institutions, you can work alongside professionals in labs, research centers, or tech environments and build your network.
Why should you attend a program in Washington State?
Washington State is home to institutions like the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center that offer summer programs and internships. These programs let you engage with research, gain mentorship from leading experts, and experience the state's academic and professional opportunities. Whether you’re a local student or visiting from another area, Washington provides an ideal environment to explore your interests and build your profile.
We've narrowed our list to 13 STEM summer programs for high school students in Washington State.
If you are looking for programs in Washington State, you can check out our blogs here and here.
1. Seattle Children's Research Training Program
Location: Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $2,000 stipend to offset transportation and meal costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 16 students selected
Dates: July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, or 12th graders; within commuting distance; no prior experience required
Seattle Children's RTP introduces biomedical research through extensive laboratory experiences in a leading pediatric research hospital. During the four-week intensive, you'll conduct experiments using research equipment and techniques employed by professional scientists working in Seattle Children's laboratories. The program includes weekly discussion sessions exploring current research projects and connecting you directly with pediatric researchers. You'll take structured workshops on research methodology, advanced data analysis, and scientific communication to develop essential professional skills. The program culminates with a poster session where you present your learning and research experience to participants, hospital staff, and guests.
2. Veritas AI Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective
Dates: 12-15 weeks per cohort; multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; you can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Grades 9-12 with basic Python understanding or completion of the AI Scholars program
The Veritas AI Fellowship provides the exceptional opportunity to create an original artificial intelligence project under personalized expert mentorship spanning 12-15 weeks. You'll work one-on-one with accomplished AI experts and researchers from top universities to develop your own unique AI model in a domain like medicine, finance, environmental science, or education. The program has three structured phases: exploration and learning (weeks 1-4), where you master foundational AI concepts, ideation and data exploration (weeks 5-8), where you identify your specific research questions, and execution (weeks 9-15), where you build and refine your complete project. You'll present your fully completed project to peers and receive a personalized evaluation from your dedicated mentor. Access to Veritas AI's in-house publication team helps secure valuable publications in high school research journals, significantly enhancing your academic profile.
3. Changemakers in Computing
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,200 stipend provided to all participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 40 students per cohort
Dates: July 7 – 31
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors attending Washington state high schools
Changemakers in Computing develops your coding skills through culturally relevant, project-based learning that connects computer science to social justice issues. You'll work in small collaborative groups with UW undergraduate mentors providing instruction in practical programming languages and computational thinking. Throughout the month-long program, you'll receive comprehensive college and career pathway advising, connecting you with technology industry professionals. The $1,200 stipend supports your participation.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - STEM Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available through Lumiere Foundation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 12% acceptance rate
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students; high academic achievement required
Lumiere connects you with accomplished PhD mentors from Harvard, MIT, Yale, Stanford, and other premier universities for independent STEM research spanning 12 weeks. You will collaborate with a seasoned mentor in your chosen field, which may include areas such as medicine, data science, physics, engineering, biology, computer science, neuroscience, chemistry, or mathematics. Together, you will execute a complete research project, guiding it from the initial concept to the final presentation. Your dedicated mentor carefully guides you through every stage: formulating research questions, conducting literature reviews, designing experiments, analyzing data, and interpreting findings. You'll develop a comprehensive, publication-quality research paper that many students use for science fairs, school presentations, or strengthening college applications.
5. University of Washington Engineering Academy
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited enrollment
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors in the greater Seattle area
The UW Engineering Academy offers students an introduction to various engineering disciplines through immersive, hands-on design challenges that accurately reflect professional engineering practice. You'll work collaboratively in teams on engineering projects that apply concepts from mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical engineering disciplines. Mentorship comes directly from UW engineering students and faculty members who bring current industry experience and cutting-edge research perspectives to their instruction. The program includes comprehensive campus tours, laboratory visits, and extensive exploration of engineering facilities and research departments. You'll complete a significant capstone project that demonstrates your design innovation, with presentations to instructors and fellow participants.
6. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internship with stipend; free ORCA card for public transportation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 20-30 students selected
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders; must be 16+ by program start; designed for underrepresented students.
Fred Hutch SHIP provides a comprehensive research experience in one of the world's leading cancer research institutions and facilities. The program begins with two weeks of rigorous training in essential laboratory techniques, including advanced microscopy, cell culture methods, molecular biology procedures, and data analysis. For six weeks, you'll conduct mentored research in faculty laboratories on actual cancer research projects investigating fundamental cell biology and translational research aimed at new treatments. Weekly seminars with Fred Hutch scientists share their career pathways, research discoveries, and personal insights, while professional development workshops build valuable communication and planning skills. The program culminates with a research symposium where you present your findings to the Fred Hutch community, your family, and friends.
7. Allen Institute Open Science Quest
Location: Allen Institute, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; offers valuable CTE credits for high school graduation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; inaugural cohort from 11 Seattle schools
Dates: 2 weeks in July
Application Deadline: Not specified; check website for details
Eligibility: Seattle area high school students; offered by Seattle Public Schools
Open Science Quest introduces students to neuroscience, immunology, and cell biology research through the Allen Institute's internationally recognized programs and facilities. Practical activities include brain dissection using the comprehensive Allen Mouse Brain Atlas, advanced microscope slide analysis, and practical PCR techniques using real DNA samples from the Allen Cell Collection. You'll engage in discussions about CRISPR gene editing ethics, considering both the enormous scientific potential and important ethical implications of modern biotechnology. The program concludes with participants creating detailed scientific posters presenting their learning and discoveries.
8. Microsoft High School Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft Campus, Redmond, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internship (40 hours per week)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive selection process
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: Late February; interviews late March
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors within 50 miles of Redmond, completed pre-calculus, and are legally authorized to work
Microsoft Discovery Program offers graduating seniors an intensive four-week internship on Microsoft's Redmond campus. You'll learn about the complete product development design phase and gain foundational skills from Microsoft employees across engineering, program management, and design departments. The program offers skill-building workshops and projects that introduce participants to Microsoft's wide range of products, services, and unique workplace environment. This full-time, onsite program provides firsthand exposure to working at a world-class technology company.
9. UbiComp Lab High School Research Opportunity
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very selective; limited positions available
Dates: July 7 – August 29
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students with demonstrated strong research interest
UbiComp Lab offers an eight-week summer research opportunity in ubiquitous computing, exploring how computing technology integrates into everyday life. You'll conduct independent research under faculty guidance, exploring how innovative technology can be seamlessly embedded in physical environments and daily routines. You will hone vital research skills, including conducting literature reviews, designing experiments, and collecting and analyzing data. The program culminates in the completion of a research project.
10. Seattle Children's Youth Voice Research Liaison Program
Location: Hybrid (virtual and in-person), Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $200 training stipend + additional stipends for consultation work on research projects
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Training over 2 months (four intensive sessions), ongoing monthly sessions thereafter
Application Deadline: September 1
Eligibility: Current 10th-12th grade high school students (priority to grades 10 & 11), living within commuting distance of downtown Seattle, with interest in science/research/public health; must have completed at least one science course; must have a device with internet access.
The Youth Voice program offers intensive training for students, developing essential research skills and an understanding of research ethics. This prepares them to serve as research liaisons who analyze real data and explore research projects. Upon completion of the training, students join Seattle Children's as consulting Youth Voice Liaisons, directly influencing the direction and implementation of actual research projects. This opportunity offers significant exposure to public health and community-based research. By presenting findings to research teams, hospital staff, and community partners, you can cultivate essential communication and leadership skills.
11. UW Summer Youth Programs - Teen STEM Courses
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Varies by course; check website for specific pricing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by course
Dates: Various week-long courses throughout the summer
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 13
Eligibility: High school students; specific requirements vary by course
The UW Summer Youth Programs feature week-long courses across various STEM disciplines. Students can select from subjects such as coding and computer science, advanced biology, environmental science, technology applications, and numerous other STEM fields, based on their current grade and specific interests. Experienced instructors lead each course, focusing on hands-on, interactive learning that exceeds the typical high school curriculum. Courses take place on UW's campus, providing direct exposure to university facilities.
12. UW STEMsub Summer Academy
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Varies by course; check website for specific pricing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically 15-25 students per course session
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified; check website for exact dates
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th-grade students in certain high schools who are low-income and/or first-generation college-bound, especially those from designated partner high schools
UW STEMsub offers college-level STEM coursework in a university setting, allowing high school students to experience academic life at a major research university. You'll attend lectures by UW faculty and researchers, participate in hands-on laboratories, and engage in study sections. The curriculum covers foundational topics in mathematics, science, and engineering with genuine university-level rigor and academic expectations. Weekly field trips to STEM-related sites and research facilities across Seattle connect classroom learning to real-world applications in the innovation ecosystem.
13. UW Center for Neurotechnology Young Scholars Program
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA, or Virtual
Cost: $100 for virtual option; $500 for in-person option
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited spots available
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students interested in neural engineering and STEM careers
YSP-REACH introduces neural engineering and brain-computer interfaces through an intensive week-long learning experience. You'll participate in laboratory activities, including brain dissection, neural imaging data analysis, and exploration of technology that helps people with paralysis regain mobility and function. Lectures from accomplished UW researchers working on neurotechnology projects provide direct insight into current research and career pathways. You'll learn about neuroethics, the important ethical considerations surrounding emerging brain technology, through guided discussions and analysis of real-world case studies. By week's end, you'll have gained a solid foundational understanding of how neural engineering uniquely combines neuroscience, electrical engineering, and computer science.
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