15 STEM Programs for High School Students in Georgia
If you're a high school student interested in exploring STEM concepts and careers, joining a structured program can benefit you. These programs allow you to develop a range of STEM skills, including critical thinking and problem-solving, and participate in projects, while gaining mentorship from leading faculty and professionals. Participating in a STEM program can also help you clarify your academic interests, develop connections with mentors, and gain early exposure to potential career pathways.
Why should you attend a program in Georgia?
Many reputable universities and organizations in Georgia offer insightful STEM programs for high school students. You will have the opportunity to learn about a range of STEM topics and disciplines, including biotechnology, physics, artificial intelligence, programming languages such as HTML and Python, cancer research, data science, and more. With access to major research institutions, industry partners, and innovation hubs across the state, Georgia offers a strong ecosystem for students seeking both academic enrichment and practical experience.
To make your search easier, we have a list of 15 STEM programs for high school students.
If you are looking for research programs in Georgia, check out our blog here.
1. Winship Cancer Institute’s Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Emory University campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free; A $2,400 stipend is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10-12 students
Dates: June 8 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors (minimum age: 16 years); Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Winship Cancer Institute's Summer Scholars Research Program is a six-week internship opportunity for high school students. The program will expose you to cancer research, provide one-on-one mentorship from a Winship investigator, and allow you to attend lectures led by oncologists and faculty. You will have the opportunity to conduct hands-on research in an active laboratory setting, participate in roundtable discussions with cancer survivors, and explore career paths in oncology. The program offers field trips to various locations, including the Michael C. Carlos Museum and the Emory Proton Therapy Center. In addition to gaining practical knowledge, you will have the opportunity to interact with fellow participants, form meaningful relationships, and present your work to Winship researchers, doctors, and graduate students.
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, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: Rolling. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students. 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 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. One benefit of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help 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. Project ENGAGES
Location: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Paid Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-long program
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Project ENGAGES (Engaging New Generations at Georgia Tech through Engineering & Science) offers a paid year-long research project opportunity to high school students. You will work around 35 hours per week in the Georgia Tech research laboratory, participate in enrichment programs, and explore career paths in STEM. The program will allow you to conduct research, participate in programmatic classroom activities, and present your research project at a science fair. The program is a valuable learning opportunity for students interested in STEM fields, including biology, physics, chemistry, biotechnology, environmental engineering, robotics, materials science, and more.
4. Lumiere Research Scholars Program STEM Track
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 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 strong academic achievement.
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 STEM research topics in physics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free; A stipend is paid.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors. More information available here
Microsoft Discovery Program is a four-week internship opportunity for high school students. The program will allow you to engage in hands-on project work, receive mentorship from Microsoft employees, and develop valuable professional skills. You will gain exposure to the product development design phase and knowledge of software engineering, UX design, and technical product management. You will have the opportunity to work on a project and develop an understanding of customer needs and pain points. You will participate in discussions, develop technical and foundational skills, connect with other interns, and learn from Microsoft employees.
6. Science, Technology, and Engineering Program (STEP)
Location: Georgia Tech main campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students; Must be Georgia residents (minimum age: 16 years)
The Science, Technology, and Engineering Program (STEP) is an educational outreach program for high school students. The program will enable you to participate in hands-on engineering internships, work in teams, and solve a challenging problem under the guidance of a Georgia Tech faculty mentor. You will have the opportunity to contribute to real research problems, challenge yourself, and build greater self-confidence. At the conclusion of the program, you will participate in a poster session and share your work results with parents, faculty, teachers, and industry representatives.
7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend to New participant: $4,000; Stipend to Returning participant: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least Grade 9. More information here
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is an eight-week summer research program for high school students. The program will allow you to work in the Department of the Navy's laboratories and conduct real Naval research. You will gain knowledge about Naval research and technology, receive mentorship from experienced professionals, including engineers and scientists, and contribute to meaningful research in STEM. You will have the opportunity to explore opportunities in DON research and development, as well as science and technology.
8. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC Headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 27 slots/session
Dates: June 23 – 27 and July 21 – 25 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: To Be Announced
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors (minimum age: 16 years)
CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp is an interdisciplinary educational program for high school students. The program will enable you to work in a fast-paced academic environment and gain in-depth knowledge of the diverse field of public health. You will learn about a range of topics, including chronic disease, public health intervention, data analysis, school wellness programs, infectious disease, public health law, scientific communication, epidemiology, and more. The program is a great opportunity to work in teams and gain exposure to the public health field through active participation.
9. University of Georgia Young Scholars Program
Location: University of Georgia campus, Athens, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 7: Internship Program; July 8 – July 10: Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Students must have completed their sophomore year
The University of Georgia Young Scholars Program offers a five-week summer internship experience to high school students. You will have the opportunity to actively participate in supervised research in agricultural, food, and environmental science through receiving guidance from a faculty mentor. You will work approximately 30 hours per week, attend workshops, visit agricultural operations, and explore different careers in agriculture. The program will conclude with a poster session at the Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference, where you will be presenting your research.
10. Georgia Tech's Summer Engineering Institute (SEI)
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 7 – 15
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-grade students
Georgia Tech’s Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) is a one-week residential program for high school students. The program will allow you to participate in hands-on experiments, attend interactive workshops, go on guided tours, and explore cutting-edge technology. You’ll connect with other aspiring engineers, gain valuable insights into the discipline, and experience life as a student at Georgia Tech. The program is a great opportunity to develop creativity and problem-solving skills and gain valuable insights into the admissions process at Georgia Tech.
11. University of North Georgia Summer Honors Program
Location: University of North Georgia campuses, Dahlonega, Gainesville, Cumming, and Oconee, GA
Cost: $1,750; Full or partial scholarships available for students from some school districts
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 31 – June 12
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students between junior and senior year; Minimum GPA: 3.5/ 4.0
The University of North Georgia Summer Honours Program is a twelve-day academic and leadership experience for high school students. The program will allow you to learn through college-level STEM and other disciplines courses, receive one-on-one guidance from college professors, and develop skills such as college writing and public speaking. You will have the opportunity to enhance self-awareness, participate in team-building exercises, and build leadership skills. You will have the opportunity to engage in a range of courses, including data science and personality, paleontology, microbiology through cheese, and many more. The program focuses on unique undergraduate research experiences and is a great STEM learning opportunity.
12. MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy: Authentic Research Experience
Location: MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $1500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 6 – July 10
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Rising 10-12 grade students interested in biomedical research with a minimum 3.0 GPA
MSM S.T.E.A.M Academy: Authentic Research Experience is a six-week program for high school students. You will have the opportunity to engage in scientific discovery at MSM, paired with a research mentor and work on a hands-on research project in a biomedical discipline. The program allows you to work with MSM faculty and graduate students and to develop a range of skills, including critical thinking, scientific curiosity, and problem-solving. You will develop an in-depth understanding of the role and impact of research in health equity and medical innovation. The program is a great opportunity to learn, investigate, and contribute to real science.
13. R.E.A.L. (Research, Experiment, Analyze, Learn) Program
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2-3 students selected by each teacher
Dates: June 11 – July 16 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: For sponsors: February 27
Eligibility: High school students must be 16 years of age or older and paired with a teacher from their respective high school who has been accepted into the GIFT program.
R.E.A.L. (Research, Analyze, Experiment, Learn) is a five-week immersive program for high school student researchers. You will have the opportunity to conduct STEM research in university laboratories with your respective GIFT teachers. The program enables students from underrepresented groups to pursue research in STEM fields. The program prepares you for a career in STEM in your post-secondary education. You will work 20 hours per week for the duration of the program and complete an online lab safety training. R.E.A.L. is an initiative of the GIFT summer program and is a great learning opportunity for students inspired by STEM research.
14. Museum of Aviation Summer Camps
Location: Museum of Aviation, Warner Robins, GA
Cost: $160.00/week, per camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Vary with different programs
Application Deadline: Applications open on February 1. Email education@museumofaviation.org for registration-related queries
Eligibility: Grade 9th-12th high school students
Museum of Aviation Summer Camps offer interactive, creative STEM exploration for high school students. You will have the opportunity to participate in engaging experiments, tackle practical STEM challenges, and receive guidance from enthusiastic educators. You will have the opportunity to choose from a range of topics, including Aerospace Systems Studio, Mechatronics Foundations, Cyber Security, Immersive Media Pathway, and Food and Farm Tech Institute. The camps are usually fast-paced but respect students' diverse learning needs and encourage families to contact the camps in advance in such situations.
15. Kode with Klossy: Summer Camps
Location: Virtual + in-person options
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: To Be Announced
Eligibility: Girls, gender nonconforming and trans students, ages 13-18
Kode with Klossy: Summer Camps offers a free two-week intensive coding experience. You will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of STEM, gain valuable insights from experienced instructors, and develop a range of skill sets in STEM. The program will allow you to choose from four curricula: web development, mobile app development, machine learning, and data science. You will gain knowledge of a range of topics, including programming languages such as JavaScript, CSS, and HTML; the foundations of AI, datasets, and natural language processing; and how to develop iOS mobile apps, among others. The program is a great opportunity for those with a strong passion for STEM.
Image source - Emory University