12 Winter Programs for High School Students in New Jersey
As a high school student, winter break is a great opportunity for you to dive into subjects you care about. These programs help you build new skills outside of the classroom and explore future career paths. You can work on projects that help you apply and improve your skills and learn more about fields that interest you. You also have the opportunity to work with and learn from top professionals and meet like-minded students, helping you build a network.
New Jersey is home to various universities and organizations that host structured programs during the winter. These programs can be a great fit for both local students and those from nearby states looking to make the most of their winter break and explore the opportunities available in New Jersey. From hospital internships and coding intensives to creative writing workshops and research opportunities, the state offers accessible, resume-boosting experiences across disciplines.
Below, we’ve curated 15 winter programs for high school students in New Jersey that combine academic depth with real-world learning.
1. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School: High School Internships
Location: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by faculty availability
Dates: Arranged individually with the host faculty member
Application deadline: Varies based on arrangement with the host faculty member
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
At Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, motivated high school students can initiate their own research internship by reaching out directly to faculty members whose work aligns with their interests. This winter program for high school students in New Jersey is not a formalized or scheduled one, so you’ll need to browse the faculty directory, identify a researcher in your chosen field, and contact them to discuss potential opportunities. Once accepted, you may assist in active labs studying subjects like immunology, biomedical engineering, or molecular biology. Your day-to-day work could involve learning essential laboratory techniques, supporting ongoing experiments, and gaining insight into the process of academic medical research.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
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). You can apply to the program here.
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 provides an online learning experience for high school students interested in exploring artificial intelligence through structured instruction and mentored projects. The AI Scholars track introduces foundational concepts such as machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing through live classes, coding sessions, and small group discussions. For more advanced learners, the AI Fellowship allows one-on-one collaboration with mentors from top universities to design and execute an independent AI project. These projects often apply AI methods to real-world issues in fields like healthcare, environmental science, or finance. Students can also receive editorial support to transform their work into a formal research paper, sometimes with opportunities for publication.
3. NJIT – Saturday Morning STEM High School Sessions
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Cost: $399
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January 18 – February 15
Application deadline: January 8
Eligibility: High school students
The New Jersey Institute of Technology runs hands-on Saturday morning winter programs for high school students in New Jersey that introduce students to key STEM disciplines through interactive workshops. For 9th and 10th graders, Forensics Uncovered focuses on the science behind crime scene investigations, where you’ll learn about evidence collection, fingerprint analysis, DNA testing, and toxicology through case-based activities. For 11th and 12th graders, ‘Careers in Cybersecurity’ explores how professionals safeguard digital systems, covering core topics like encryption, ethical hacking, and network defense.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program connects high school students with Ph.D. mentors from leading universities to conduct original research in a field of their choice. Over 12 weeks, you’ll meet weekly with your mentor to develop and refine your research project in subjects such as psychology, engineering, computer science, or economics. The program emphasizes academic rigor, guiding you through each stage of the research process — from question design to final paper development. By the end, you’ll have produced a detailed research paper that reflects your own analysis and understanding of the topic. Lumiere also offers a fully funded version, the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, for talented students from low-income backgrounds.
5. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL): Science on Saturday
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrolment
Dates: Saturday mornings throughout the winter months
Application deadline: Varies by lecture
Eligibility: Open to high-school students, teachers, families, and the public
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s Science on Saturday series is a long-running public lecture program that brings scientists and engineers to share their research with high school and college audiences during the winter months. The talks, part of the Ronald E. Hatcher Lecture Series, cover topics ranging from fusion energy and plasma physics to quantum technologies and climate research. Each Saturday session features in-person presentations and demonstrations aimed at making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging. The winter program for high school students in New Jersey typically attracts hundreds of students, teachers, and community members.
6. New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) – TD Jazz for Teens
Location: Arts High School, Newark, NJ
Cost: $700 per semester or $1,200 for full year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January 24 – May 16
Application deadline: September 29
Eligibility: Students ages 13–18; beginners welcome
The TD Jazz for Teens program at NJPAC is a structured jazz education initiative that helps high school musicians refine their instrumental or vocal skills through professional-level instruction. You’ll study jazz history, theory, composition, and performance while working closely with GRAMMY Award-winning artists and educators. Students participate in small and large ensembles, including the James Moody Jazz Orchestra and George Wein Scholars Ensemble, which perform at venues like the Newport Jazz Festival. This winter program for high school students in New Jersey also incorporates studio recording sessions and field trips, such as visits to Rutgers University-Newark’s Institute of Jazz Studies. Beyond performance training, participants receive college and career guidance, preparing them for future studies or careers in music.
7. Morristown Medical Center – Junior Volunteer Program
Location: Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: September – June
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High-school students (typically ages 15–17); medical clearance, parental consent and training required
Morristown Medical Center’s Junior Volunteer Program allows high school students to gain experience in a hospital environment by assisting in non-clinical support roles. Volunteers typically help with patient transport, information desks, mail and flower delivery, and other service-oriented tasks that keep the hospital running smoothly. Participants are required to complete a minimum of 75 service hours between September and June, serving once a week for either two hours after school or three hours on weekends.
8. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Apprenticeship
Location: Various U.S. Army Research Labs and university research centers nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; varies by placement
Dates: Varies by location and placement
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old to qualify
The AEOP High School Apprenticeship allows high school students to take part in paid, full-time research within U.S. Army laboratories or affiliated university labs. Under the mentorship of professional scientists and engineers, you’ll work on projects across diverse STEM fields such as biology, materials science, engineering, and cybersecurity. The program also integrates professional development components through webinars, career panels, and networking sessions that introduce participants to STEM career paths within and beyond the Army research community. Students gain real-world laboratory experience while becoming part of AEOP’s national network of mentors and peers.
9. Girls Who Code Clubs
Location: Virtual and in-person options available across various locations
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Ongoing throughout the school year; clubs typically meet 1-2 hours per week after school or on weekends
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Clubs are open to all high school students
Girls Who Code Clubs are free, community-based programs for students in grades 3–12 that focus on building computer science and problem-solving skills through hands-on projects. Meetings take place throughout the year, either in person at schools, libraries, and community centers, or virtually, offering flexible participation options. As a member, you can explore topics like game design, web development, and cybersecurity while completing guided projects at your own pace. The curriculum covers coding fundamentals, collaboration, and creative thinking, with opportunities to apply what you learn to personal or community-oriented projects.
10. American Psychological Association (APA) – Remote Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some internship positions may be paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Internships are offered year-round
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students eligible to work in the U.S. (as verified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s eVerify service) and residing in one of the states where APA is already registered as an employer.
APA’s Remote Internship Program enables high school students to gain early professional experience in psychology-related fields from home. Interns are placed within APA departments such as education, research, communications, or public policy and work under the supervision of mentors. Responsibilities can include data collection and analysis, drafting educational materials, contributing to digital resources, or supporting policy initiatives. The online winter program for high school students in New Jersey also features optional workshops, group discussions, and networking opportunities that help participants explore the diverse applications of psychology in real-world contexts.
11. MIT’s OpenCourseWare
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by placement
Dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: No deadline
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
MIT’s OpenCourseWare (OCW) provides free access to materials from nearly all of MIT’s undergraduate and graduate courses, making it an extensive online resource for self-paced learning. You can explore a variety of subjects, including thermodynamics, physics, and computer science, through comprehensive learning materials like lecture notes, video lectures, assignments, and exams. For instance, the “Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in Python” course introduces key programming concepts and problem-solving strategies used at the university level. The platform’s open-access model encourages students, educators, and self-learners to use these resources for educational and personal development.
12. Cornell University’s Precollege Studies
Location: Online
Cost: $1,940/credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January 2 – 17
Application deadline: December
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Cornell University’s Winter Session allows high school students to take intensive, credit-bearing courses taught by Cornell faculty in an accelerated three-week online format. The program covers a broad range of subjects such as economics, engineering, business, medicine, and the humanities, offering a chance to explore academic interests or get ahead on college credits. Courses are delivered asynchronously through Cornell’s Canvas platform, giving you flexibility in scheduling while maintaining the rigor of college-level work. Each course condenses a full semester’s content into a few weeks, requiring strong time management and focus. Upon completion, you’ll earn credits recorded on an official Cornell transcript.
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