12 Best STEM Extracurricular Programs for High School Students

Summer extracurriculars are a good way to put your curiosity, formal education, and a drive to learn more into practice. These extracurriculars, or extracurricular programs, are usually in the form of educational programs, internships, camps, or courses. They can help build acumen, drive meaningful connections, and gain practical skills, allowing you to dive deeper into your specific interests. Many universities, research institutes, and even industry leaders now offer accessible, high-quality STEM opportunities. These experiences give you a head start in understanding how STEM is applied while also strengthening your college application. We have curated 12 of the best STEM extracurricular activities designed to challenge, inspire, and prepare you for what lies ahead.

1. UCSC’s Science Summer Internship Program

Location: University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
Cohort size: 180 
Dates: June 16 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students aged 14-17 years. Should not be graduating in the summer of the applied year.
Stipend: Need-based stipend consideration

You’ll get the chance to engage in scientific and technology projects through the University of California, Santa Cruz's Science Internship Program (SIP). The ten-week program concentrates on data analysis, computer programming, algorithm simulation, and computer simulation. You will work on projects that are typically linked to ongoing initiatives at UC Santa Cruz. In labs, you will collaborate with an assigned mentor on projects and give a final presentation.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). 
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

For ambitious high school students, Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program where you work with a high-growth start-up. Startups from a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more offer internships under this program. The start-ups associated with Ladder Internships are all high-growth companies raising over a million dollars on average. You will get the opportunity to work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on diverse projects and present your work to the company. 

3. Stanford AIMI's Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Cohort size: 25
Dates: June 16 - June 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12, aged 14+ by the program start. Strong preference for those with math or programming skills and/or experience in healthcare projects. 
Cost: $40 Application Fee. $850 program participation fee

In this two-week virtual program, you will be introduced to the world of artificial intelligence in medicine, where each day is structured to give you an experience that blends learning, mentorship, collaboration, and career exploration. The program includes lectures on the fundamentals of AI in healthcare, and mentoring sessions by Stanford students and researchers. Beyond the academic experience, the program includes social activities and “Career Lunch and Learns” featuring guest speakers from across academia, industry, non-profits, and government. You will receive a Certificate of Completion as recognition of your efforts and achievements by the end of the program.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Duration: 12 weeks to 1 year.
Location: Remote 
Eligibility:

• You must be currently enrolled in high school, demonstrating a high level of academic achievement ( GPA of 3.3 out of 4 preferred)

Program Dates: Summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).

Tailored for high school students, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a research program that offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project where you choose topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, etc. The 12- week program culminates with you developing an independent research paper. 

5. MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES)

Location: Cambridge, MA
Cohort size: 60-80 students
Dates: June - August
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: 7th–12th grade students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend

This six-week residential program offers an opportunity for you to explore five courses that cover math, science, and the humanities. The program also provides support with college admissions counseling, helping you make an informed decision about your future. It includes life skills workshops, designed to help with navigating both educational journeys and personal growth with practical tools. A major highlight of the program is the college fair, presenting you with an opportunity to meet admissions counselors from top-tier universities. The experience also includes research opportunities such as lab tours, seminars led by STEM professionals who are passionate about their fields.

6. Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Cohort size: 110
Dates: June 21 - August 2
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Be at least 16 years old by the program start date and in 11th grade in high school at the time of application submission
Cost/Stipend: No cost

This program is an opportunity to network with peers from across the country, forming a network of competitive and collaborative STEM aspirants. It offers an opportunity to connect and collaborate with peers from all over the country and build relationships with fellow STEM aspirants. The program allows you to explore science, technology, engineering, and math and benefit from mentorship from experienced professionals who can guide you. Different disciplines will have something new to offer like for example, Biology explores areas of modern research in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, while Chemistry will offer understanding of theory and the process of experimental design.

7. Girls Who Code

Location: Virtual
Cohort size: 180 
Dates: June 30 - August 8
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: 9th-11th graders
Stipend: $300 needs-based grant for eligible students

In the Girls Who Code’s free virtual Summer Programs, you can choose between two options: the Summer Immersion Program or the Pathways Program. The Summer Immersion Program is a dynamic two-week course where you will learn game design from instructors and connect with like-minded peers. You will also receive college and career guidance from industry professionals in a supportive environment as you build confidence along with your coding skills. The Pathways Program offers a flexible six-week journey through tech topics. In this section, you will work independently but with access to resources and support to guide your learning.

8. BRAINYAC

Location: New York City, NY
Cohort size: 20
Dates: June - July (based on 2025 schedule)
Application Deadline: October (based on 2025 schedule)
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students enrolled in one of their partner programs at the time of the application
Cost/Stipend: Information unavailable

This program offers you an opportunity to explore research in the field of neuroscience at Columbia University. As part of the program, you will be assigned a neuroscientist from Columbia who will mentor you through a research project. The program helps you develop essential lab skills and explore the process of scientific discovery. You will also get an opportunity to be a part of the Columbia University community, gaining exposure to an academic research environment. The program needs you to be located in New York City and be enrolled in any one of their New York City-based partner programs, such as S-PREP, BioBus, Lang Youth Medical, Columbia Secondary School, or Double Discovery Center. 

9. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Online
Cohort size: 272
Dates: June 18 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students must be 16 or older
Cost/Stipend: None ($25 application fee)

This is an 8-week full-time internship where you will work with equipment and technologies. These resources and infrastructure will help you learn practical lab skills through direct exposure to methods used by researchers. The program includes scientific writing that will help you sharpen your communication skills when interacting with both technical and non-technical audiences. The internship includes participation in forums and discussions with STEM professionals and developing creative thinking - an essential skill in exploring complex research questions and driving innovation. If you end up being a selected participant, you will work with faculty researchers at George Mason University and other collaborating institutions.

10. Microsoft High School Program

Location: Redmond, WA OR Atlanta, GA
Cohort size: Low acceptance rate due to high demand 
Dates: July 7 - August 1
Application Deadline: Information unavailable
Eligibility: 9th-11th graders
Cost/Stipend: None

In this 4-week internship, you will receive personalized mentorship from Microsoft professionals as you choose and work on your own project. The mentors will guide you in collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. You will see how your personal interests can translate into a meaningful tech career through interactive sessions and team-based learning. The program will also help you understand the design phase of product development, the development of foundational skills, and potential career paths in the tech industry.

11. Biobus Junior Scientists Internship

Location: New York City, NY
Cohort size: 7-8 
Dates: July 7 - August 15
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Students aged 14-17 years. Should not be graduating in the summer of the applied year. Must live and/or go to school in the Lower East Side or Chinatown
Cost/Stipend: $16.50/hour

Biobus Internship offers the opportunity to explore your own independent science project. You will receive mentorship from research scientists and an opportunity to work with and use modern biolab technologies. This internship program enables the development of leadership and teaching skills, where you will co-instruct science events and programs for younger students. You will be involved in activities such as community sampling events and learn about the importance of vaccines and pandemic preparedness through dedicated outreach. 

12. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program

Location: Lubbock, TX
Cohort size: 12 
Dates: June 22 - August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee and $750 stipend upon completion of the program

The Clark Scholars Program offers you an opportunity to engage in research through Texas Tech’s faculty in this seven-week summer program. The program functions across a broad academic spectrum, including philosophy, literature, performing and visual arts, natural sciences, social sciences, mathematics, and engineering. The research includes areas such as cellular biology and microbiology, cancer biology, and cancer bioimaging. The program also has weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips.