15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Washington State
Summer programs present an exceptional opportunity for high school students to explore career interests while building practical skills and meaningful connections in their fields of focus. These programs, offered by leading universities, technology companies, research institutions, and nonprofits throughout Washington, provide real-world experience that traditional classroom learning alone cannot replicate. Whether you're interested in STEM, business, healthcare, or environmental science, summer programs offer accessible entry points to these fields without requiring extensive prior experience or significant financial investment.
If you’re looking for subject-specific programs in Washington, check out a list of business internships here, and law internships here!
Why should I do a summer program in Washington?
Washington state offers high school students top-tier summer programs anchored by world-class research universities and a booming tech and aerospace hub, including giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing. Beyond the classroom, its unique geography provides an unmatched natural backdrop for hands-on learning in environmental science, field research, and outdoor exploration.
Why should I do a summer program in high school?
Summer programs provide hands-on exposure to potential career paths, allowing you to test whether a field truly interests you before making significant educational commitments. You'll develop professional skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management in real workplace environments. Summer programs strengthen your college applications by demonstrating intellectual curiosity, dedication, and the ability to thrive outside your standard school day. The mentorship and networking opportunities you gain connect you with professionals who can offer guidance, letters of recommendation, and insights into various career trajectories. Additionally, many programs offer college credit, paid stipends, or free enrollment, making them practical investments in your future without imposing significant financial strain on your family.
To help you find the best fit, we have listed below 15 summer programs for high school students in Washington state.
1.UW Summer Sessions
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Approximately $4,448 for WA residents and $14,860 for non-residents; financial aid is available for degree-seeking UW students
Dates: Full-Term: June 22 – August 21; A-Term: June 22 – July 22; B-Term: July 23 – August 21
Application Deadline: Full/A-Term: June 21; B-Term: July 23
Eligibility: Must have completed 8th grade or equivalent by June 30 of the program year; students under 18 require parental/guardian consent and signed acknowledgment forms
This program allows you to earn genuine college credit that builds your UW transcript and can transfer to other institutions, providing a concrete academic achievement to showcase to other universities. You'll attend classes on a classic university campus alongside current UW students, adult learners, and international students, exposing you to a genuinely collegiate environment and diverse peer groups. Most high school students take 100-level courses, which are specifically designed to be accessible while still rigorous and college-level. Upon completion, your grades become part of your permanent UW transcript, which is particularly valuable if you later apply as a degree-seeking student.
2.Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
This highly selective startup internship program places you with fast-growing companies that have raised over one million dollars, giving you exposure to early-stage ventures across tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Over approximately eight weeks, you'll work directly on real projects with your manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach, participating in actual company operations rather than busywork or administrative tasks. You'll collaborate with your team on meaningful deliverables, attend training sessions alongside other interns, and present your completed work to company leadership and peers. Ladder's coaching model ensures you receive feedback and professional development support alongside your day-to-day project work.
3.Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Redmond, WA
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: Applications open in early February; rolling basis
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors living within 50 miles of Redmond, WA; completed pre-calculus or equivalent; members of Microsoft-sponsored organizations (Redmond) or attending specified school districts (Atlanta)
In this program, you'll spend four weeks at Microsoft's Redmond campus gaining hands-on project experience in technology while developing professional skills through direct mentorship from Microsoft employees. The program immerses you in how your interests and skills can translate into a career in tech at Microsoft and beyond, with opportunities to explore different roles and departments. You'll work on meaningful projects, participate in team meetings, and gain insight into operations and culture of one of the world leading technology companies. The program is specifically designed for graduating high school seniors who have completed pre-calculus and have demonstrated interest in technology. The selective nature of the program means you'll meet other talented high school students from your region who are interested in technology.
4.Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Vary based on yearly cohort; multiple 12-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with demonstrated high academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
This 12-week research initiative pairs you one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor from a leading research university to guide you through developing an independent research paper in a subject area you're passionate about. You'll choose from diverse research topics, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more, ensuring your project aligns with your genuine interests. Beyond research direction, you receive support from dedicated writing coaches who help you produce college-level academic work and refine your methodology. The program culminates in a symposium where you present your research to peers and mentors, with opportunities for your work to be published through Lumiere's networks.
5.Pacific Northwest National Laboratory High School Internship Program
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by position
Dates: Summer (June-August)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: 16+ years old (18+ for lab spaces), sophomore to senior, 3.0+ GPA, enrolled in high school
PNNL offers internships for high school students interested in business or STEM research, providing you with direct experience working alongside experienced scientists, engineers, and business professionals at a national laboratory. During the academic year, you can work up to four hours per day for elective credit through your school's work-based learning programs, making it easier to balance your internship with your academic schedule. Summer internships allow for full-time commitment from June through August, providing more intensive involvement and the opportunity to dive deeply into projects. You'll participate in leadership development activities, laboratory tours, communications workshops, and career awareness sessions that broaden your professional perspective.
6.Institute for Systems Biology High School Summer Internship
Location: Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Paid; amount not disclosed
Dates: June 29 – August 21
Application Deadline: March 11
Eligibility: Current 11th graders (rising seniors); at least 16 years old by the program's start date; authorized to work/reside in the U.S.
In this program, you'll gain hands-on experience in microbiology, engineering, and computational work while learning how to apply systems biology approaches to real scientific questions. Beyond laboratory work, the program involves interviewing ISB professionals to learn about career paths, building a website documenting your experience, and helping develop instructional curriculum for classroom use. This internship is notably different from typical research placements because of its focus on translating research into educational content. The program provides paid summer internship opportunities specifically for rising seniors. The systems biology approach exposes you to many specialists and varied project types, ensuring creative problem-solving and both independent and collaborative learning.
7.Washington Aerospace Scholars
Location: Online for Phase One; Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA for optional Phase Two summer residency
Cost: Phase One: No cost; Phase Two: $1,850; financial aid is available
Dates: Phase One: November-March; Phase Two: July-August
Application Deadline: Mid-October
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors in Washington State
This unique program combines an online college-level University of Washington course with optional in-person summer residency experiences, allowing you to explore flight, aerospace design, and space travel while earning college credit. The online portion runs from November through March and covers air and space vehicle design, NASA's space exploration program, and Earth and Space Science topics. Upon completion, you're eligible for five University of Washington college credits and can participate in optional multi-day summer experiences at the Museum of Flight, where you'll work with STEM professionals, NASA scientists, and engineers. You’ll gain access to $250,000 in exclusive scholarship opportunities and membership in the Museum of Flight's Connections Club.
8.Port of Seattle High School Internship Program
Location: Port of Seattle (multiple sites including SEA Airport and Seattle waterfront), Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: Summer (specific dates vary)
Application Deadline: Opens in May
Eligibility: High school students ages 16+
In this program, you'll work on real projects with genuine impact on local communities and the regional economy, not administrative tasks, gaining practical understanding of how large organizations function. The program explicitly teaches business skills, including diversity and inclusion, process improvement, project management, networking, public speaking, and leadership through a combination of assignments and career awareness activities. You'll gain work experience at well-known locations, including SEA Airport and the Seattle waterfront, providing professional credentials at an internationally recognized organization. The Port of Seattle's infrastructure and regional importance make this an exceptional opportunity to understand logistics, economic development, and maritime operations.
9.King County – Wastewater Treatment Division Clean Water Ambassadors Internship
Location: Downtown Seattle, Washington (interns meet in downtown Seattle; eligibility limited to the Seattle Metro area)
Stipend: $22 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 interns
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 22
Eligibility: At least 16 years old by July 7; living within the Seattle Metro area; current valid identification and proof of eligibility for employment in the U.S. required
As a Clean Water Ambassador, you join an internship with the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, run in partnership with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, focused on environmental education and community outreach centered on clean water. You build communication skills by teaching students, leading outreach about local environmental and social justice issues, and delivering a final presentation to your cohort. Through field trips and workshops, you learn how wastewater is managed and how communities protect water and public health. You explore environmental careers firsthand by interviewing working professionals across the field. Riding free public transit to downtown Seattle, you gain practical experience translating technical clean-water topics into accessible messages for the public.
10.Changemakers in Computing at University of Washington
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $1,200
Dates: July 6–30
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors attending Washington State high schools
In this program, you'll engage with technology concepts while explicitly examining how computing impacts society and learning to think critically about ethics in technology development. The program provides an intensive experience without requiring a full-time commitment, where you'll meet mentors who work in tech and learn about various career pathways in computing, gaining insight into what different roles actually entail. The program is specifically designed for rising high school juniors and seniors attending Washington State high schools, ensuring accessibility for students in your region. The free model removes financial barriers, and the focus on justice and societal impact offers a refreshing perspective on computer science beyond just technical skills.
11.Fred Hutch Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (16+ by start date) currently residing in the Greater Seattle area
In this program, you'll begin with two weeks of intensive hands-on training in laboratory safety and techniques, learning foundational skills used across biomedical research before moving to specialized work. For the remaining six weeks, you'll be paired with mentors in Fred Hutch research groups, engaging in hands-on work on real projects while participating in research seminars and professional development workshops. The program culminates in presentations to the Fred Hutch community, family, and friends, giving you the opportunity to share your work and contributions. You'll work alongside experienced scientists and researchers in a world-class cancer research environment that provides exceptional exposure to professional biomedical research.
12.Seattle Children's Research Institute Training Program
Location: Seattle Children's Research Institute, downtown Seattle, WA
Stipend: $2,000
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders residing within commuting distance of downtown Seattle
The Research Training Program introduces you to laboratory research in biology at a leading pediatric research hospital. You'll learn fundamental laboratory techniques while studying topics including biochemistry, immunotherapy, gene editing, and infectious diseases through a combination of hands-on labs and lectures. Beyond laboratory skills, the program includes college-readiness workshops, career-exploration sessions, facility tours, and an independent research project with a final oral presentation. The program is designed to support diversity in biomedical research, specifically seeking students from underrepresented populations in STEM. While you'll gain exposure to clinical research environments, the program is laboratory-focused rather than a clinical or medical shadowing experience.
13.University of Washington Engineering Academy
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 20–24
Application Deadline: April 19
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders attending high school in greater Seattle area
In this program, you'll participate in hands-on design challenges that apply engineering thinking to real problems, connecting with UW engineering students and faculty who share their experiences and perspectives. The program includes campus tours showcasing different engineering disciplines and discussions about how engineering creates impact in communities. You'll work on projects designed to explore different engineering specializations, helping you discover which fields most interest you. The program is intentionally accessible to students without prior engineering knowledge, avoiding prerequisites that might discourage interested students. Programming takes place in-person during a single week, with full-day sessions allowing for intensive immersion in engineering thinking and exploration.
14.Camp BIOmed
Location: Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA
Cost: $750–845 (varies by track); need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Weekly sessions from July 6 to August 14
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12 in fall of program year
In this program, you'll choose from six different tracks, including Molecular Biology of Cancer, CSI, Genetic Engineering, Bioinformatics, Microbiology, and Global Health, allowing you to focus on areas that genuinely interest you. The program increases your understanding of how biomedical research is conducted, from exploration and discovery through testing and analysis, providing insight into actual scientific processes. You'll interact with scientists and professionals working in biomedical fields, gaining a real perspective on career pathways and day-to-day work. The hands-on laboratory and bioinformatics activities provide practical skill development that translates to college-level coursework and potential future research. Early bird discounts and scholarships are available, making the program accessible to students regardless of family financial resources.
15.UW Medicine Neuroscience Summer Student Program
Location: University of Washington Medicine, Seattle, WA
Stipend: $3,200
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: High school or recent high school graduates; must be 18 years or older to participate; have a 3.2+ GPA (overall and STEM)
This NIH-funded eight-week program provides "bench to bedside" exposure in neuroscience through laboratory research placements combined with clinical observation opportunities. You'll complete a research project in one of UW's neuroscience laboratories while gaining exposure to clinical neurology and neurological surgery through observations and clinical shadowing. The program includes weekly Neurological Surgery Grand Rounds lectures, faculty presentations, and resident education discussions, providing comprehensive exposure to the field. You'll present your individual research project to program faculty, peers, and professionals, developing communication skills alongside your scientific work.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Several of these programs restrict eligibility to students living near Seattle. What if I live elsewhere in Washington or out of state?
Many of the most specialized research and city programs do require local residency or commuting distance, including King County Clean Water Ambassadors, Fred Hutch, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and UW Engineering Academy, all of which specify the Greater Seattle area. A few programs are open more broadly: Washington Aerospace Scholars and Changemakers in Computing accept students from any Washington State high school, and UW Summer Sessions and Camp BIOmed do not specify residency restrictions, only requiring you to attend or travel to the program site. Ladder Internships and the Lumiere Research Scholar Program are the only two fully remote options on this list with no geographic restriction at all.
2.I am only a freshman or sophomore. Are there any programs open to me, or is everything restricted to juniors and seniors?
A few programs are accessible earlier. Camp BIOmed is open to students entering grades 9 through 12. UW Engineering Academy and Seattle Children's Research Institute's Training Program both accept current 10th and 11th graders. UW Summer Sessions has no grade restriction beyond having completed 8th grade. Most of the more research-intensive and stipended programs, including Fred Hutch, PNNL, Institute for Systems Biology, and UW Medicine Neuroscience, are restricted to rising seniors or require students to be 16 to 18 years old, so freshmen and sophomores have fewer options but can use the earlier programs as a starting point.
3.How do the paid stipend amounts compare across the research-focused programs on this list?
Stipend amounts vary considerably. UW Medicine Neuroscience offers the highest disclosed amount at $3,200 over eight weeks, followed by Seattle Children's Research Institute at $2,000 and King County Clean Water Ambassadors at $22 per hour. Changemakers in Computing pays a flat $1,200 for a shorter, three and a half week program. Several programs, including Microsoft Discovery, PNNL, Institute for Systems Biology, Port of Seattle, and Fred Hutch, confirm a paid stipend but do not disclose the specific amount publicly, so checking directly with the program or asking during the interview stage is the best way to get a clear figure before committing.
Key Takeaways
This list covers 15 summer programs for high school students in Washington State, spanning university credit courses, technology internships at Microsoft and the Port of Seattle, and biomedical research placements at Fred Hutch, Seattle Children's Research Institute, and UW Medicine, with eligibility ranging from current 9th graders (Camp BIOmed) to rising seniors only (Fred Hutch, ISB, Microsoft Discovery). The strongest stipended research options are UW Medicine Neuroscience ($3,200), Seattle Children's Research Institute ($2,000), and King County Clean Water Ambassadors ($22 per hour), while UW Summer Sessions and Washington Aerospace Scholars stand out for offering actual transferable college credit rather than a stipend. For students outside the Seattle area or Washington State entirely, Ladder Internships and the Lumiere Research Scholar Program are the two fully remote options on this list, both with rolling cohorts throughout the year rather than a single fixed summer deadline.