15 Tech Programs for High School Students in New Jersey
Tech programs can be a useful way for you to explore fields like computer science, artificial intelligence, and engineering while you are still in high school. They allow you to build technical skills, learn how different technologies are applied, and engage with structured activities and projects. You can also gain exposure to mentorship and collaborative work, which can help you better understand your interests and potential academic paths.
Why should you attend a program in New Jersey?
New Jersey is home to universities and organizations that offer a wide range of tech programs across different subject areas. Depending on the program, you might explore topics such as AI, robotics, cybersecurity, or game design while developing technical and problem-solving skills. These opportunities can be worth considering, whether you are a local student looking for programs nearby or an out-of-state student interested in exploring a new academic environment.
To help with your search, here are 15 tech programs for high school students in New Jersey.
If you’re looking for programs in New Jersey, check out our blog here.
1. Governor’s School of New Jersey in Engineering & Technology (Rutgers)
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free (no tuition/room & board cost)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15% - 25%
Dates: July 6 - 31
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: New Jersey residents entering junior year, strongly committed to engineering and technology, willing to live on campus for the full program (including weekends), and typically top-performing students (primarily A grades in honors math/science, top 5% of class, 90th percentile standardized test scores, with some flexibility for exceptional engineering ability)
This tech program is designed for high school students who want a structured, hands-on exposure to advanced topics in computer science and engineering. Over several weeks, you live on campus and take challenging courses in areas such as robotics, cybersecurity, and data science. As you progress, you transition from structured learning into collaborative research projects where you apply those concepts to real problems. You’ll also attend guest lectures and interact with professionals, which helps you understand how these fields operate beyond the classroom. By the end of the program, you'll have completed and presented a substantive project, strengthening both your technical foundation and your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and confidently.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; Fellowship requires prior AI experience
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 have the opportunity 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. Students 2 Science (S2S) STEM Internship Program
Location: Whippany & Newark, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited internship spots
Dates: Spring and Summer sessions (varies)
Application Deadline: Varies by position
Eligibility: High school students
This internship program gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how STEM education programs are designed and delivered. Instead of focusing solely on coding or technical output, you also assist with lab activities, curriculum development, and tech-based learning initiatives. As you collaborate with mentors, you begin to understand how educational technology programs are structured and expanded. You’ll also strengthen your communication skills by contributing to team projects and presentations. Over time, you start seeing how science and technology intersect with education systems and community impact.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Tech Track
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies; up to 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small mentor groups
Dates: June – August; fall, winter, and spring cohorts also available
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 GPA
This program gives high school students the opportunity to conduct independent research in technology-focused fields. You’re paired one-on-one with a PhD mentor, and together you design and execute a research project over the course of 12 weeks. As your work progresses, you’ll refine your research question, analyze data, and draft a formal research paper. Because the mentorship is individualized, you receive consistent feedback that strengthens both your technical thinking and writing skills. By the end of the program, you walk away with a polished research product that reflects serious academic effort.
5. Princeton University’s AI4ALL Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free (housing, meals, travel assistance covered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive (selective; limited spots)
Dates: July 9 - 30
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Current 10th-grade students entering 11th grade in the fall, residing in the United States (students living/attending school abroad are not eligible), who meet at least one socioeconomic criterion: household income ≤ $60,000, qualify for free/reduced-price lunch, or qualify for an SAT/ACT fee waiver.
Over three weeks, you won't just learn about AI in theory, but actively build machine learning projects as part of a collaborative team. As the curriculum progresses, you'll strengthen your coding skills and examine the ethical and societal questions surrounding AI systems, making your learning more balanced and meaningful. You’ll work closely with faculty and mentors from Princeton University, gaining insights into how research is conducted in academic environments. By the time you present your final project, you won't just have built something impressive, but you will be able to explain and defend your ideas confidently. If you’re curious about how AI shapes the world, this experience offers an eye-opening introduction.
6. NJIT STEMx High School Programs
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: $70 non-refundable application fee; $725/week (includes lunch and academic materials)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open; based on application and grade eligibility
Dates: Week 1: July 6–10. (Artificial Intelligence OR STEM Entrepreneurship) | Week 2: July 13–17. (Materials Engineering OR Sustainable Engineering and the Environment) | Week 3: July 20–24. (Cybersecurity OR Applied Engineering Technology) | Week 4: July 27 – 30. (Preparing for College and Career Pathways in STEM)
Application Deadline: Early Decision - March 1 | Regular Admission: April 10
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th-grade students
ISTEMx programs at New Jersey Institute of Technology let high school students explore specific tech fields in a focused format. During your selected week, you work inside active engineering labs on projects in AI, robotics, or cybersecurity. Rather than just watching demonstrations, you actively build, test, and troubleshoot alongside instructors. As each session builds on the previous one, you begin to see how theory translates into practical engineering applications. You also get a feel for NJIT’s campus, helping you picture what studying engineering or computer science there might be like. By the end of the week, you’ll have a clearer sense of whether that specific tech path excites you.
7. TCNJ Artificial Intelligence & Wireless Communications Camp
Location: The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $2200 + $40 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: July 5 - 10
Application Deadline: Rolling; full tuition payment due before May 30
Eligibility: High school students in the top 30% of their class
This camp blends artificial intelligence with wireless communication systems, giving you a broader understanding of modern technology. As you explore machine learning algorithms, you experiment with hardware and antenna design, which adds a hands-on dimension to your learning. Faculty guide you through labs that require you to apply theory in tangible ways. Because each topic builds logically on the previous one, you begin to understand how different tech systems connect with each other. By the end of the program, you'll likely find yourself thinking more critically about how smart devices actually function behind the scenes.
8. Game Design Academy @ Rider University
Location: Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ
Cost: $1,500 (includes room & board)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 36 students per cohort
Dates: July 5 - 11
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
This academy walks you through the entire process of creating video games. You start by learning basic coding and design principles, then gradually move into team-based development. As your skills grow, you collaborate on creating a playable game from concept to execution. The Game Jam format challenges you to think creatively under time constraints. Along the way, you see how storytelling, art, and programming function together within a single project. By the end of the program, you won’t just approach games with a more analytical perspective, but also understand the mechanics behind them.
9. Seton Hall University Giant LEAP STEM Workshops
Location: Laboratory of Electrophysics and Atmospheric Plasmas (LEAP), Department of Physics, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
Cost: $1,200 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 - 11
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
These workshops give high school students practical exposure to robotics and electronics in a university setting. You begin with foundational electronics concepts and then transition into assembling and programming robotic systems. As you troubleshoot challenges, you develop a systematic approach to problem-solving. Faculty mentors guide you each step, ensuring you understand not just how something works, but why it works that way. Because each lab session builds on the previous one, the learning feels cumulative and coherent. By the end of the week, core engineering concepts become much more tangible and approachable.
10. STEAM Clubhouse Tech & Robotics Camps
Location: Delran, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; limited spots
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Elementary through high school students
If you enjoy building things with your hands, this camp keeps you actively engaged from start to finish. You begin with foundational coding or robotics fundamentals and gradually move into more advanced builds. Using tools such as VEX kits and electronics components, you see your code translate into physical action and real-world results. As you collaborate on team challenges, you build both communication and technical skills. Each project increases in complexity, allowing you to strengthen your understanding step by step.
11. JA NextGen Tech Series (Junior Achievement of New Jersey)
Location: Various NJ school/community sites
Cost/Stipend: Varies (often free/low-cost)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment through schools
Dates: Throughout the school year
Application Deadline: VariesEligibility: Middle & high school students
This workshop series is designed for high school students seeking tech exposure that aligns with the school schedule. Sessions are typically held during the academic year and include coding sessions, hackathons, and cybersecurity workshops. Industry mentors help you connect classroom learning to real-world careers. As you collaborate with peers, you strengthen both your technical and presentation skills. While each session may be short, the cumulative experience can spark a deep interest in IT, software development, or even tech entrepreneurship, all without requiring a full summer commitment.
12. CodeDay Labs
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; open enrollment
Dates: Flexible start dates; six-week sessions
Application Deadline: Currently closed
Eligibility: High school and college students
CodeDay Labs is designed to resemble a structured software internship, giving you a practical introduction to professional development workflows. Over six weeks, you collaborate with peers on open-source projects and contribute code to shared repositories. You'll participate in sprint planning and weekly demos, which help you understand how real engineering teams organize their work. As you become comfortable with GitHub and code reviews, you start thinking more like a contributing member of a development team rather than a solo coder. The environment is beginner-friendly, but still pushes you to produce tangible outcomes. By the end of the program, you’ll have actual project contributions you can showcase in future applications.
13. Girls Who Code Summer Pathways Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 - August 14
Application Deadline: Early acceptance: February 25 | General: April 10
Eligibility: High school girls, non-binary students, and rising 9th graders
Girls Who Code is a beginner-to-intermediate programs that give high school girls structured exposure to core computer science concepts. In the Summer Immersion Program, you participate in instructor-led sessions focused on coding and game design. Meanwhile, the Pathways track allows you to explore topics such as cybersecurity, web development, and artificial intelligence at your own pace. Across both programs, you build real-world projects using programming languages such as Python and JavaScript. Industry panels and career events also give you insights into potential tech careers.
14. Kode With Klossy Summer Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer dates to be announced
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens ages 13–18
This two-week experience introduces women and gender expansive teen students to coding in a supportive, structured environment. Depending on your selected track, you might focus on web development, data science, or mobile app creation. As lessons progress, you apply your knowledge through hands-on projects, working with technical languages such as JavaScript and Swift to build functional applications. The program emphasizes accessibility and inclusion, creating an environment that supports learners at different starting points. By the end of the program, you will have gained both confidence and foundational coding skills.
15. CS@Mines Computing Internship
Location: Remote and in-person options available
Cost/Stipend: Varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school and community college students
This internship offers a balanced entry point for high school students interested in research-style computing but aren’t quite ready for an ultra-competitive lab environment. You’ll work on socially impactful computing projects in small teams, which makes the experience collaborative rather than overwhelming. Instead of being directly supervised by faculty, you’re mentored by undergraduate students, so the environment can feel more informal and conversational. As you move through your project, you’ll likely engage with applied areas such as artificial intelligence, software engineering, or data science in practical ways. The flexible time commitment also makes it easier to manage alongside school or other activities.
Tyler Moulton is Head of Academics and Veritas AI Partnerships with 6 years of experience in education consulting, teaching, and astronomy research at Harvard and the University of Cambridge, where they developed a passion for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Tyler is passionate about connecting high-achieving students to advanced AI techniques and helping them build independent, real-world projects in the field of AI.