15 Tech Programs for High School Students in Maryland
Technology programs can be a really practical way to explore STEM before college, especially if you want experience beyond regular school coursework. These programs allow you to work with coding platforms, electronics, robotics systems, AI models, and research tools used by professionals. Many of these programs also expose you to research workflows, technical communication, and collaborative engineering projects. Some are hosted by universities, while others are affiliated with federal labs or research institutions, giving you access to environments that are usually difficult for high school students to enter.
Why Should You Attend a Tech Program in Maryland?
Maryland is one of the stronger states for STEM and engineering opportunities because it combines major universities with federal research institutions and government labs. Programs here often go beyond introductory coding lessons and include machine learning models, robotics systems, engineering prototypes, cybersecurity workflows, and applied research projects. Depending on the program, you might analyze datasets, work with sensors and microcontrollers, build engineering systems, or contribute to ongoing lab research.
To help narrow things down, we’ve put together 15 tech programs for high school students in Maryland.
If you’re looking for programs in Maryland, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 programs span AI, robotics, cybersecurity, quantum computing, cyber-physical systems, materials science, engineering research, and computer science, so students with a wide range of tech interests can find a relevant option in Maryland or online.
Several programs are free or paid, including SEAP ($4,000 to $4,500 stipend), NIST SHIP (unpaid but federally hosted), and ESTEEM/SER-Quest (free), while programs, such as WIE Change the World and Discovering Engineering, offer financial aid or scholarships for eligible students.
Many programs specifically target underrepresented students in STEM, including the WIE suite of programs at the University of Maryland, which focus on women and students entering grades 9 through 12, and SEAP, which prioritizes students with limited access to professional research environments.
Programs vary significantly in length and format, from weekend residential experiences, such as the 4-H Engineering Camp, to eight-week research internships, such as SEAP and ASSIP, so students can choose based on their availability and experience level.
Application deadlines for the most selective programs fall early, including SEAP (November 1), NIST SHIP (January 26), and ASSIP (February 15), so students should begin preparing materials in the fall.
1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Department of Navy Labs, Annapolis/Bethesda/Silver Spring, MD
Stipend: $4,000 (first year) / $4,500 (returning)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by placement
Dates: June – August (~8 weeks)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least Grade 9, are currently enrolled in high school, graduating seniors, and are at least 16 years old by the internship start date
SEAP is one of the most research-intensive tech programs available to high school students because you work directly inside active Navy research labs. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to robotics systems, engineering simulations, software analysis workflows, or materials testing projects. Navy scientists and engineers provide mentorship as you learn how professional research teams define problems, document their work, and evaluate results. The eight-week structure gives you enough time to become familiar with the lab’s methods and even make a substantial contribution. If you are looking for an experience that resembles a professional STEM internship, SEAP offers substantial exposure to both research and technical careers.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
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, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with 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 get a chance 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.
3. High School SHIP – NIST Summer High School Intern Program
Location: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
Cost/Stipend: None (typically unpaid)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are high school juniors or seniors at the time of application, have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0, demonstrate strong interest in scientific research, can commit to the full seven-week program, and live within 50 miles of the NIST Boulder or Gaithersburg campus
NIST’s Summer High School Intern Program gives you the opportunity to complete an individual research project alongside federal scientists and engineers. Depending on your placement, you may explore fields such as physics, materials science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, or information technology. Much of the experience involves learning how researchers design investigations, work with technical tools, analyze evidence, and communicate their findings. Seminars and laboratory training also introduce you to the standards and procedures used in a federal research environment. Among federal research internships for students, this program has strong credibility and selectivity.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Engineering Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Program cost varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling (January, May, September, November)
Eligibility: High school students; GPA ~3.3
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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. ESTEEM/SER-Quest Engineering Research Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 3 -9 August 31
Application Deadline: March 29
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders with strong STEM background
ESTEEM/SER-Quest is an intensive four-week commuter program that introduces you to college-level engineering research at the University of Maryland. You develop a research proposal, conduct a literature search, and complete a project while learning how engineers investigate technical questions. The experience also includes contact with undergraduate and graduate students, giving you a closer look at engineering study and research on a university campus. College preparation, financial aid, and career-readiness sessions connect the research component with the broader process of pursuing an engineering degree.
6. Jumpstart Your Engineering Career – UMD Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering
Location: UMD Shady Grove Campus, Rockville, MD
Cost: $200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 50 students
Dates: July 13 – August 14
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Maryland high school, community college & four-year university students with basic programming skills
This program explores cyber-physical systems by showing you how software, electronics, sensors, and physical devices work together. Instead of treating programming and hardware as separate topics, you use them to develop a functioning team prototype. The design process takes you from identifying a problem and evaluating possible solutions to building, testing, debugging, and refining your system. Previous projects have incorporated areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and front- or back-end development. A final Demo Day also challenges you to present your design clearly and defend the choices your team made along the way.
7. Pre-College Scholars Program – Clark School of Engineering
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $400 per student
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors, minimum CGPA of 3.5
The Clark School’s Pre-College Scholars Program combines academic preparation with an introduction to engineering at the University of Maryland. A significant portion of the three-week schedule is devoted to SAT preparation in mathematics and critical reading, with support from college-planning and admissions workshops. You also attend presentations from the school’s eight engineering departments and interact with UMD students, faculty, and staff. Individual guidance on applications and financial aid helps you prepare for the practical side of the college process.
8. WIE Change the World! – Women in Engineering Summer Program
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 30 students
Dates: July 12 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 1 (Tentative)
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders interested in engineering
This residential engineering program gives you exposure to multiple engineering disciplines through hands-on technical projects and campus-based learning. During the week, you work through labs and design challenges related to robotics, sustainability systems, and engineering optimization problems. Faculty members and engineering students guide you through structured activities where you apply concepts rather than only listening to lectures. You also spend time understanding how engineers approach open-ended design problems and evaluate solutions through testing and iteration.
9. Discovering Engineering – University of Maryland
Location: College Park, MD
Cost/Stipend: $1,400 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~25–30 students
Dates: July 26 – 31 | August 2 – 7
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Students entering 11th or 12th in Fall
Discovering Engineering is structured as a broad survey of the opportunities available within the Clark School. You rotate through all eight engineering departments at UMD while attending demonstrations, lab sessions, and technical workshops. Faculty and student mentors explain how concepts from mechanical, electrical, civil, and computer engineering are applied in practice. A team design project gives you the chance to apply your math and science knowledge to a shared engineering problem. The residential schedule also includes evening activities, giving you time to experience campus life and connect with other students interested in STEM.
10. WIE Aspire! Explore Engineering
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $625
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9th and 10th
WIE Aspire is designed for younger high school students who want to explore engineering majors and careers before choosing a specific direction. Each day introduces different disciplines, including aerospace, bioengineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, materials science, and mechanical engineering. Department presentations are combined with demonstrations, facility tours, workshops, and hands-on projects that illustrate basic engineering concepts. Current UMD engineering students support the activities and share insight into their academic experiences. The introductory format makes this a useful first step before applying to longer or more specialized engineering programs.
11. University of Maryland 4-H Engineering Camp
Location: Harford County 4-H Camp, MD
Cost/Stipend: ~$200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~40 students
Dates: May 2 – 4
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: 4-H members aged 12–18
Maryland’s 4-H Engineering Camp combines a traditional weekend camp setting with hands-on design and technology activities. Past topics have included underwater robotics, GPS and GIS mapping, aerospace, computers, welding, environmental engineering, and large-equipment operation. Challenges ask you to use the engineering design process to solve problems, test ideas, and make practical improvements. Because the projects are physical and interactive, the learning style feels less classroom-based and more experiment-driven. Students who prefer active, hands-on work over lecture-heavy programs may find this format more engaging.
12. WIE RISE! An Introduction to Engineering Research
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $25
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited small cohort
Dates: July 27 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling until April 25
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
WIE RISE provides an accessible virtual introduction to the role of research across different engineering fields. Each day highlights a new discipline through laboratory tours, demonstrations, and discussions of current work at the University of Maryland. You also examine the basic components of scientific papers and complete simple experiments using materials available at home. Current engineering students host the sessions, allowing you to ask questions about both research and undergraduate study.
13. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,299 + $25 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old by June 18
ASSIP is a full-time, eight-week internship in which you work individually with a faculty researcher at George Mason University or a collaborating institution. Your specific responsibilities depend on your mentor and research area, and placements may be remote, computer-lab-based, hybrid, or conducted in person. In addition to conducting research, you develop skills in scientific writing, technical communication, creative problem-solving, and operating specialized tools or equipment. Career discussions and meetings with STEM professionals help place your project within a wider academic and professional context. The internship concludes with a poster session, and successful participants earn three college credits from George Mason.
14. Columbia University Pre-College Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by course
Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Columbia’s Pre-College Programs allow you to study specialized subjects that may not be offered at your high school. Technology-related options can include data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and programming, although the exact format and prerequisites vary by course. In a data science class, for example, you may use Python, examine machine learning algorithms, analyze information, and consider how data should be presented responsibly. The courses expect regular attendance, active participation, and the completion of individual or group assignments. After successfully completing the program, you receive a Columbia Certification of Participation and an instructor evaluation addressing your progress and performance.
15. Harvard University Secondary School Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,180 – $15,735 + $75 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by course
Dates: July 12 – August 8 | June 20 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Students aged 16–18
Harvard’s Secondary School Program allows you to enroll in credit-bearing college courses with formal academic expectations. Depending on the session and format you select, you can choose from subjects across computer science, mathematics, engineering-related fields, and many other disciplines. Classes involve college-level readings, assignments, assessments, deadlines, and consistent participation. You are responsible for managing your schedule and keeping pace with the course requirements over four or seven weeks. The program can provide a realistic test of university-level study while allowing you to earn college credit through Harvard Summer School.
Frequently asked questions
1. What tech programs are available for high school students in Maryland?
Options include federal research internships, such as SEAP and NIST SHIP, university engineering programs, such as ESTEEM/SER-Quest, UMD Cyber-Physical Systems, and UMD Pre-College Scholars, AI and data science programs, such as Veritas AI and Lumiere, introductory engineering surveys, such as Discovering Engineering and WIE Aspire, and virtual university courses, such as Columbia Pre-College and Harvard Secondary School Program.
2. Are there free or paid tech programs for high school students in Maryland?
Yes, SEAP pays $4,000 for first-year participants and $4,500 for returning students, NIST SHIP is free to attend through a federal placement, and ESTEEM/SER-Quest at the University of Maryland is also free. Programs, such as WIE Change the World ($1,500) and Discovering Engineering ($1,400), offer financial aid or scholarships for eligible students.
3. Which Maryland tech programs are best for students interested in AI and machine learning?
Students interested in AI and machine learning might consider Veritas AI for independent AI research with mentorship and publication support, Lumiere Research Scholar Program for independent research in computer science or engineering, and UMD Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering for hands-on projects involving robotics, computer vision, and AI prototyping.
4. Which programs are open to students outside Maryland?
Several programs are fully virtual and open to students regardless of location, including Veritas AI, Lumiere Research Scholar Program, WIE RISE, Columbia Pre-College Programs, and Harvard Secondary School Program. ASSIP at George Mason also offers remote and hybrid options for students outside the immediate area.
5. What is the most competitive tech program for high school students in Maryland?
SEAP and NIST SHIP are among the most competitive, as both place students inside active federal research labs with limited availability. ESTEEM/SER-Quest targets rising 12th graders with strong STEM backgrounds, and UMD Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering limits enrollment to 50 students from a competitive applicant pool.
6. When should I apply to tech programs for high school students in Maryland?
SEAP has the earliest deadline, closing November 1, well before the summer. NIST SHIP closes January 26, and ASSIP closes February 15. Programs, such as WIE Change the World and WIE Aspire (both March 1), ESTEEM/SER-Quest (March 29), and Discovering Engineering (April 24), fall later in the spring. Students should begin researching options in the fall to avoid missing the earliest deadlines.