10 Winter Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you’re a high school student, structured programs are a great way to explore new interests during your winter break. Winter programs allow you to build practical skills, gain industry exposure, and connect with like-minded peers. Whether you are interested in STEM, finance, public policy, or the arts, these programs let you explore your interests and build your profile for future opportunities.
Texas is home to many reputable universities and organizations that host programs during the winter months. You can take up research opportunities, pre-college programs, and even self-paced courses to help you learn about your interests. If you’re a local student, these opportunities can be especially convenient, but they’re also a great option for out-of-state students who want to explore opportunities in Texas.
To make your search easier, we’ve put together a list of 10 winter programs for high school students in Texas.
1. Veritas AI – Winter Cohort
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 12–15 weeks, exact dates vary by cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling; You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; AI Fellowship applicants must have completed AI Scholars or demonstrate prior 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 and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
2. Space Center U
Location: Space Center Houston, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
Cost/Stipend: There is no information available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; small team-based missions
Dates: November 24–26; December 22–24; December 29–31
Application Deadline: Rolling registration; spaces are limited
Eligibility: Open to students ages 11–18
Space Center U is a multi-day winter STEM camp hosted at the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center. If you join a Winter session, you’ll get experience in astronaut training, robotics, rocketry, and space systems design inspired by real NASA missions. The program includes a scuba-based microgravity simulation where you’ll build a mock airlock underwater, just like astronauts train. Across all tracks, you’ll practice teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking while exploring space science and engineering in an authentic setting. Each camp wraps up with a graduation ceremony and presentation by a NASA astronaut.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote (students can participate from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: December – February (12 weeks; exact start dates vary)
Application Deadline: November (for winter cohort; exact deadlines vary)
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic achievement (accepted students typically have a 3.3+ GPA on a 4.0 scale); no prior subject knowledge required
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 that you can explore as a high schooler. 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.
4. SkillsUSA Texas District Contests
Location: Multiple Texas State Technical College campuses (Waco, Harlingen, Rosenberg, Hutto)
Cost/Stipend: There is no information available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to district-level SkillsUSA high school competitors
Dates: February 6 – March 1 (district contests); April 2 – 5 (state contest in Corpus Christi); late June (nationals in Atlanta, Georgia)
Application Deadline: There is no information available
Eligibility: High school students competing in SkillsUSA through their district chapter
SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit that helps students develop technical, leadership, and employability skills through competitive events, and Texas State Technical College (TSTC) will host several district-level contests in February. High school students will compete in fields such as welding, culinary arts, health care, criminal justice, IT, manufacturing, and robotics, with each district competition held at one of TSTC’s campuses across Texas. The events are designed to give students practical, hands-on experience while also offering a preview of college-level facilities and career pathways. Winners at the district level advance to the Texas State Leadership and Skills Conference in Corpus Christi, and state champions earn the chance to compete nationally in Atlanta. For students, participating in SkillsUSA not only sharpens technical skills but also builds confidence, teamwork, and leadership abilities that stand out in college applications and future careers.
5. Texas High School Aerospace Scholars
Location: Virtual (online curriculum and Moonshot), with top teams invited to NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Free; all-expense-paid residential experience for top-performing team
Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Dates: Year-round courses
Application Deadline: September 24
Eligibility: Current Texas high school juniors who are Texas residents and U.S. citizens
Texas High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) is one of NASA’s most prestigious STEM opportunities for Texas high school juniors. Over the course of a year, you’ll complete a five-month online curriculum exploring space exploration, Earth science, technology, and aeronautics while building practical skills in coding, CAD, and engineering design. High-achieving students earn the chance to join Moonshot, a five-day virtual summer program where they collaborate in teams under the guidance of NASA scientists and engineers. From there, top teams are invited to NASA’s Johnson Space Center for an all-expense-paid residential experience, where students present their projects and gain firsthand exposure to NASA careers. This program is highly regarded for helping students strengthen technical expertise, teamwork, and leadership skills while getting a unique look at pathways into aerospace and STEM fields.
6. Medicine: An Inside Look at Treating Patients
Location: Online. Texas students can apply.
Cost/Stipend: $1,895; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Dates: Various cohorts from December 21 - March 15
Application Deadlines: Based on the selected cohort
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and older
In this enrichment program, you’ll explore the patient journey through real case studies, including kidney transplant, vascular disease, and cancer. You’ll also learn how healthcare teams collaborate, compare integrative and complementary medicine techniques, and complete a capstone project designing your own healthcare team for a patient scenario. If you’re considering a pre-med track, these winter sessions give you a flexible, immersive way to understand the medical profession while earning a certificate of completion from Georgetown.
7. Cornell Precollege Studies
Location: Online. Texas students can apply.
Cost/Stipend: Tuition varies by course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Dates: January 2–17
Application Deadline: October 15
Eligibility: Rising or current high school juniors and seniors, ages 15–19
Cornell University’s Winter Precollege Studies Program offers ambitious high school students the chance to take an Ivy League course online while earning college credit. In just three weeks, you’ll complete a fast-paced Cornell undergraduate course taught by distinguished faculty and earn an official transcript. Students can choose from a wide variety of subjects ranging from architecture and hotel management to international relations, biology, computer science, and more. Courses may be synchronous (live lectures on a fixed schedule) or asynchronous (self-paced with recorded content), providing flexibility for different learning styles. You’ll also connect with motivated peers worldwide, sharpen your study skills, and strengthen your college applications with rigorous academic experience from a top-tier university. Many students use their Cornell credits when applying to other institutions, though transfer credit depends on each university’s policies.
8. Georgetown University Biology College Credit Course
Location: Online. Texas students can apply.
Cost/Stipend: $3,995; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Dates: Multiple options throughout the year, including October 12–December 7 (8 weeks), October 12–January 4 (12 weeks), and November 9–January 4 (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: October 5 (for October sessions); November 2 (for November session)
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13 and up
Georgetown University’s online Biology College Credit Course allows high school students to study cutting-edge biology while earning official college credit and a transcript. You’ll explore how scientists use advanced microscopy to study cells, investigate how cellular organization relates to human disease, and engage with recent discoveries reshaping our understanding of biology. The course combines approximately 128 hours of instruction, multimedia lessons, and guided assignments, supported by teaching assistants who provide mentorship and feedback. All students complete a capstone project where they present their findings in a format of their choice. Alongside strengthening your foundation in cellular and molecular biology, you’ll gain transferable skills in research, analysis, and scientific communication.
9. Rice University Pre-College Medicine
Location: Online. Texas students can apply.
Cost/Stipend: $1,795
Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Dates: December 21 – January 4
Application Deadline: December 14
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13 and up
Rice University’s Medicine: Diagnostics, Treatment, and Patient Care course offers high school students a fast-paced winter learning opportunity in medical science. Over two weeks, you’ll explore how physicians evaluate patients, make diagnoses, and design treatment plans across multiple body systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine systems. You’ll learn how doctors use tools such as imaging, blood tests, and ultrasounds, while also studying common conditions like asthma, heart disease, and neurological disorders. The course includes a capstone project in which you analyze a patient case study and communicate a diagnosis effectively, practicing both scientific reasoning and patient-centered communication.
10. SCAD Joint Enrollment – Winter Quarter
Location: Online (SCADnow virtual learning). Texas students can apply.
Cost/Stipend: $100 application fee; tuition information not listed for joint enrollment
Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Dates: Winter Quarter – January 6 to March 13
Application Deadline: There is no information available
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors, 16 years or older
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Joint Enrollment program gives motivated high school juniors and seniors the chance to earn college credit during the winter quarter while exploring creative fields such as design, digital media, drawing, and communications. Students can take up to two online courses per quarter, with each course counting for five credit hours toward a potential SCAD degree. The winter session offers a supportive way to learn from SCAD professors, connect with peers in Zoom discussions, and build a portfolio of work before graduation. This opportunity is especially helpful for students who want to experience a university-level environment while balancing their regular high school studies.
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