15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Texas
While in high school, joining structured programs during the summer break can be a great way to dive into your interests beyond the school curriculum. Summer programs provide learning opportunities through projects, exposure to professional fields, and mentorship from leading experts. Whether your goal is to boost your college applications or simply explore your interests, these programs help you build your profile and develop your skills.
Texas stands out as a hub for high-quality summer opportunities hosted by its leading universities and research centers. As a participant, you will gain access to advanced labs, renowned faculty, and a collaborative academic environment. Whether you live in the state or are planning to visit it during the summer, enrolling in a Texas program can offer you the chance to explore the state’s unique blend of innovation and culture.
To help you get started, here we have highlighted 15 summer programs for high school students in Texas.
If you are looking for opportunities in Texas, check out our blogs here and here.
1. Anson L. Clark Scholar Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Stipend/Cost: $750 stipend; $25 application fee
Application deadline: February 16
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students/year
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years of age by the program start date; applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program at Texas Tech University is a selective seven-week summer research experience for outstanding high school students. You will work closely with faculty mentors on research projects in fields such as cancer bioimaging, mechanical engineering, physics, computer science, history, or other research areas. In the process, you will gain exposure to university-level research and lab workflows. Alongside research, the program features seminars, discussions, and professional development sessions designed to foster both academic and personal growth. You will have access to various campus resources, including accommodation and weekend activities during your stay.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; financial assistance available
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; you can apply to the program here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12- to 15-week cohorts every year, including in the summer
Eligibility: High school students; certain programs require prior coding/AI knowledge or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program.
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard alumni, offers high school students immersive AI-focused learning opportunities. For beginners, the AI Scholars program offers a 10-session introduction to AI, machine learning, and data science, with a focus on applying concepts through hands-on, real-world projects. If you have prior experience with AI/Python, you can advance to the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase, a hands-on program that allows you to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities to design and conduct individualized projects. As a fellow, you will receive guidance from a publication team to help prepare and submit your work to high school research journals.
3. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Various locations, including TX
Stipend: Starting at $501.60/week
Application deadline: January 9
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Opportunities available in the summer, spring, and fall; start dates vary based on the AFRL sites and/or projects. A minimum commitment of eight weeks is required.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and U.S. citizens; check the detailed eligibility criteria here.
The AFRL Scholars Program offers high school students immersive lab-based internship experiences in aerospace engineering and STEM research. Under the guidance of Air Force Research Laboratory scientists and engineers, you will contribute to projects in areas such as atomic physics, satellite navigation, machine learning, and astrodynamics. Past interns have supported studies on launch systems and rotating detonation rocket engines. You can indicate your preference for up to three research topics per AFRL location while applying. Over the course of eight weeks (or more), you will tour Air Force labs, work with scientists, and sharpen your analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Financial aid available
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in the summer
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with the opportunity to conduct individualized, in-depth research under the guidance of a Ph. D.-level mentor. Within your chosen track, the program provides personalized mentorship and hands-on experience in academic research and writing. Over 12 weeks or more, you will design and complete an independent project that culminates in a comprehensive research paper. You can choose a focus area from a wide range of disciplines—including engineering, health, psychology, computer science, international relations, and data science. You can explore available research areas and application details here.
5. Welch Summer Scholar Program (WSSP)
Location: Various Texas universities
Cost: Free
Application deadline: April 3
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – July 11 (tentative)
Eligibility: Texas high school sophomores and juniors
WSSP is a five-week research experience that allows students to immerse themselves in scientific exploration at participating Texas universities. Sponsored by the Robert A. Welch Foundation, WSSP is designed to offer high schoolers exposure to the complete research process. Under the guidance of faculty and graduate mentors, you will conduct experiments, analyze data, and gain hands-on experience in chemical research. The program features lectures, workshops, and lab tours to enrich learning and exposure to real-world science. You will also complete a final project, which can be a research paper, presentation, or poster that summarizes your findings.
6. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: The University of Texas at Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Application deadline: February 22
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically, ~10%; ~215 accepted in the past
Dates: May 1 – July 22 (including online engagement, on-site project work, and virtual symposium)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors who are 16 or older and U.S. citizens
The NASA and UT Austin SEES High School Summer Intern Program provides students with a hands-on introduction to research in space and Earth sciences. Here, you will collaborate with NASA scientists and engineers on projects involving planetary geology, environmental studies, and space engineering. You will analyze real satellite data, design prototypes, and use coding for simulations and hardware development while working on mentored research projects. Research areas include Mars exploration, climate research, and high-altitude flight dynamics. The program can be an opportunity to explore how scientists address real-world challenges using creativity, innovation, and STEM-driven problem-solving.
7. REACT @ TAMU Chemistry
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Applications will open on January 5
Cohort size: 20 students
Dates: July 14 – 25
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
REACT @ TAMU Chemistry is a summer research program hosted by the Texas A&M University Department of Chemistry. Designed for high-achieving high school students, REACT offers hands-on experience with advanced laboratory techniques, including UV/VIS spectroscopy, FTIR, NMR, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and microplastic analysis. As a participant, you will develop skills in solution preparation and scientific literature review. You will gain insights into modern instrumentation, experimental procedures, and foundational principles in chemistry and molecular science. You will also hear from speakers who work within different areas of chemistry.
8. PATHS-UP Digital Health Young Scholars Program at Rice University
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Application deadline: April 4
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – 26 + a symposium on July 24
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11
Rice University’s PATHS-UP Young Scholars Digital Health Summer Program exposes students to the intersection of engineering, computer science, and healthcare. Over the course of three weeks, you will complete hands-on projects that apply digital circuits, coding, and physics principles to medical innovation. You will work with technologies such as pulse oximeters, accelerometers, and GPS sensors to create prototypes inspired by Rice’s cutting-edge engineering research. While focused on digital health, the program also incorporates key physics concepts, such as circuitry and signal processing, to help you deepen your understanding of modern medical technology.
9. Sustainable Futures Academy @ Rice University
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Application deadline: June 7
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 11
Eligibility: High school girls entering 10th or 11th grade are eligible to apply. Boys and non-binary students are welcome to apply.
The Rice STEM Academy is a free, week-long summer program designed for high school students, primarily girls, who are passionate about engineering and sustainability. You will participate in lab-based projects—such as building roller coasters and designing landing capsules—that illustrate key concepts in motion and circuitry. Working with tools like Micro:bits and TI Nspire Rovers, you will see how physics concepts translate into real-world engineering applications. While emphasizing sustainable design, the program integrates fundamental physics topics like motion, energy, and forces through hands-on problem-solving experiences.
10. Kode with Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual or in-person; locations vary each year
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Several two-week sessions each summer
Eligibility: High school women and gender-expansive teens, ages 13 – 18
Kode With Klossy offers free, two-week summer coding camps for high school students from underrepresented gender identities in technology. You will engage in one out of four tracks—Web Development, Machine Learning, Mobile App Development, or Data Science—and gain experience with programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, and Swift. Through practical projects, you will create websites, design apps, develop AI models, or perform data analysis, based on the assigned track. You will also explore topics like algorithmic bias, user experience design, and ethical coding, working on building technical expertise and creative problem-solving.
11. HSRA Summer Program @ UT Austin
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX
Cost: $4,000
Application deadline: March 23
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – July 16
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Texas who are 15 or older by June 1
The High School Research Academy (HSRA) at UT Austin is a five-week summer program that provides high school students with research experiences within its College of Natural Sciences. You will join active labs and gain exposure to research within fields such as neuroscience, ecology, engineering, and data analytics. Throughout the program, you will learn advanced research techniques, collaborate with faculty and undergraduate mentors, and attend seminars led by UT scientists. You will showcase your work at a Research Symposium, making the program an opportunity to gain experience in scientific inquiry and presentation. You will also earn UT course credit.
12. Rice University’s ELITE Tech Camp
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $1,799 for commuters | $3,899 for residential participants
Application deadline: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Various one-week sessions between June and July
Eligibility: High school students
The Rice ELITE Tech Camp is a summer program for high school students interested in engineering and technology. Hosted by Rice University’s School of Engineering, it combines hands-on STEM projects with leadership development and college preparation. You will collaborate with peers on exploring real-world challenges across fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, bioengineering, and 3D printing. Each week-long session offers small-group learning opportunities to help you build teamwork, problem-solving, and technical skills. You will also have access to the mentorship of faculty and industry experts, who will offer insights into engineering disciplines and career pathways.
13. UT San Antonio’s Engineering Overview Camp
Location: University of Texas at San Antonio, TX
Cost: $550 – $750, based on the format you choose; financial assistance available
Cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: June 9 – 13 | June 30 – July 4
Eligibility: High school students
The Engineering Overview Camp, offered twice each summer, offers high school students the opportunity to explore six major branches of engineering, including biomedical, chemical, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. Under the guidance of UTSA faculty, you will take part in interactive labs and practical activities that highlight the fundamentals and career opportunities within each field. You will also learn about UTSA’s engineering programs and admissions process. You will participate in challenges, presentations led by engineering faculty, and tours of UTSA’s research labs. Designed to be engaging and low-pressure, the program focuses on helping you explore which engineering discipline best aligns with your interests, abilities, and long-term aspirations.
14. UT San Antonio’s Rocketry and Aerospace Engineering Camp
Location: UTSA Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design, San Antonio, TX
Cost: Day Camp: $550; Overnight Camp: $750; financial assistance is available
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 14 – 18
Eligibility: High school students
UTSA’s Rocketry and Aerospace Engineering Camp is designed to introduce students to the principles of flight, propulsion, and stability through practical rocket design and launch activities. Under the mentorship of members of the Aeronautics and Rocketry Club, you will explore how engineering choices affect performance and flight behavior. The camp includes workshops, lectures, and lab tours led by UTSA aerospace faculty. While focused on aerospace engineering, the program offers the opportunity to examine topics within applied physics, including motion, propulsion, and aerodynamics.
15. Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Stipend/Cost: A stipend may be available; no cost to attend
Cohort size: 20 students
Application deadline: TBA
Dates: Two weeks in mid-July
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who live in Central Texas within 50 miles of Austin
The SHE in Oncology is a multi-institutional learning experience hosted by cancer centers throughout the U.S. UT Austin offers this program to 20 local high school students interested in learning about careers in biomedicine and oncology. As a participant, you will attend virtual lectures and discussions covering various aspects of cancer care and cancer science. You will work on research projects in collaboration with peers from the University of Kentucky, UChicago, the University of Michigan, and the University of Pennsylvania. You will also receive your own laboratory kit containing micropipettes, a microscope, and live fruit flies to run experiments at home. Additionally, the program offers professional development and skill-building opportunities led by cancer research and care professionals.
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