15 Astronomy Research Opportunities for High School Students
Astronomy research opportunities for high school students are a great way to gain practical skills, industry experience, and professional connections, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional pre-college programs. Many of the research opportunities below are hosted by popular universities and institutions, making them a solid choice for you!
Exploring astronomy research opportunities in high school can give you early hands-on experience and help you understand what a career in the field could look like. Whether you’re studying the night sky or working with astronomical data, these programs can open doors to your future.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled the top 15 astronomy research opportunities for high school students eager to learn and explore.
15 Astronomy Research Opportunities for High School Students
1. Stanford Online High School Summer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $6,195 - $30,970; financial aid available
Cohort Size: 12 per class
Dates: Varies as per course
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12
The Stanford Online High School Summer Program offers live, discussion-based seminars designed for high school students. Students meet online in an interactive virtual classroom, with a college-style schedule that encourages intellectual engagement. You will take advanced courses developed specifically for Stanford OHS, replacing traditional AP offerings with rigorous custom curricula. Options include the Astronomy Research Seminar, where you’ll use robotic telescopes to collect and analyze data, and writing a paper for potential academic publication. You can also be part of the Astronomy Club, where you can discuss astrophotography, the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad, original astronomy research, and more. Students may also prepare for AP exams independently while pursuing these courses.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Cohort Size: 70-100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; Fall cohort: September 14
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort ; Fall cohort: August 24; apply here
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a program that offers ambitious high school students the chance to gain practical experience working with fast-growing start-ups. The program connects you to remote internships across a variety of industries, including technology, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. The participating start-ups are dynamic and rapidly expanding, with many having secured over a million dollars in funding and have founders from top accelerators like YCombinator and companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. Throughout the 8-week virtual internship, you will work closely with both a start-up manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach, contributing to projects and concluding with a presentation of their work to the company.
3. Yale Young Global Scholars
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $6,500 + $75 - $90 application fee; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Session I: June 22 - July 4 | Session II: July 6 - 18 | Session III: July 20 - August 1
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Current high school sophomore or junior between the ages of 16-18 years old by July 20
The Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) program is an academic enrichment experience for exceptional high school students. The program blends lectures, seminars, breakout discussions, and peer-led activities to foster a collaborative learning environment. You’ll be taught by Yale faculty and experts in lectures, then dive deeper in small group discussions to explore real-world applications. You will also work on a Capstone Project, brainstorming solutions to global challenges under the guidance of staff mentors. YYGS offers multiple academic tracks, including Innovations in Science & Technology and Applied Science & Engineering, which explores fields from neuroscience to astronomy.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program created specifically for high school students. It offers individualized, one-on-one research experiences across a broad range of academic fields. You will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor to collaboratively design and execute an independent research project. Over the course of the 12-week program, you will work toward completing and submitting your own research paper. Research areas span disciplines such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You will also be eligible to earn credit from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). To find out more about the application process, click here.
5. NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS)
Location: Virtual; in person at Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: October - July
Application Deadline: September 24
Eligibility: Texas resident enrolled as a junior in a Texas high school
NASA High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) is a year-long STEM experience that begins in the fall with a five-month online course covering topics like Earth science, technology, aeronautics, and human exploration of space. You will work through five modules inspired by Moon and Mars missions, completing interactive STEM activities aligned with NASA’s six exploration themes. Top students (overall average 70%) are invited to a five-day Virtual Moonshot Experience, mentored by NASA engineers. The best teams from the summer are selected for an in-person residential experience at Johnson Space Center. The curriculum may lead to a 0.5 Science elective credit.
6. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Summer Programs
Location: Multiple sites
Cost: $3,149 - $7,501; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Vary as per site
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Students in 2nd - 12th grades
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Summer Programs offer advanced learners a chance to keep growing when school is over. With over 70 on-campus courses taught by expert instructors, you will explore subjects like astronomy, bioethics, engineering, public health, and more. The programs bring together peers from around the world for hands-on learning and collaborative discussions. Courses include options like Introduction to Astronomy, where students study the physics and chemistry of planets, stars, and galaxies while analyzing data and calculating astronomical distances. Outside of class, you will get to participate in social events and group activities.
7. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Summer Internship Program
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: June 30 - August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Graduating seniors in high school who are at least 16 years old when the internship begins | Authorized to work in the U.S.
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Summer Internship Program offers an opportunity for high school seniors to gain hands-on research experience after graduation. You will work closely with PPPL’s research or engineering staff on ongoing projects in areas like astronomy, plasma physics, and experimental engineering. Projects may include designing, constructing, or maintaining experimental equipment alongside experienced engineers. If you are interested in computer science, you can contribute by developing simulations, analyzing data, or creating software tools. Some projects may involve computational work involving coding or CAD design. This competitive program provides exposure to a cutting-edge research environment.
8. Penn Arts & Sciences - Experimental Physics Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,949
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: July 5 - 26
Application Deadline: April 27 or on a rolling basis till seats fill up
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students
The Experimental Physics Research Academy is a fully residential program designed for high school students interested in deepening their understanding of physics. You’ll explore topics including astrophysics, electromagnetism, nuclear physics, and quantum mechanics through lectures, experiments, and discussions. Classes also touch on the philosophy of science, research ethics, and education paths in STEM fields. Throughout the program, Penn faculty deliver research talks about their ongoing work in physics, giving you insights into cutting-edge topics. You will also receive a guided tour of topics such as kinematics, electricity, nuclear physics, modern physics, and quantum mechanics. Previous physics knowledge is recommended but not mandatory.
9. SSP International - Summer Science Program in Astrophysics
Location: SSP International, Wilmington, DE
Cost/Stipend: $9,800 | Limited number of $3,000 stipends
Cohort Size: 500-600
Dates: 5 weeks starting mid-late June; depends on the hosting institute
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are at least 15 years old but not yet 19 during program operation
The SSP International – Summer Science Program in Astrophysics offers high school juniors a five-week research experience at a leading university. You will dive deep into astrophysics by observing and calculating the orbits of near-Earth asteroids, blending real-world astronomy with hands-on data gathering and analysis. Key activities include direct observation using professional telescopes, applying computational techniques to orbital mechanics, collaborative research projects, and attending expert guest lectures. You will develop valuable skills such as programming, teamwork, critical thinking, scientific writing, and public presentation. Completing SSP significantly strengthens college applications by demonstrating initiative and achievement in research.
10. Stony Brook University - Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: None, but on-campus housing and meals cost $2,360.25, plus $500 for extra food | Stipend provided, amount unspecified
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: Students in their junior year of high school at the time of applying | At least 16 years of age by the start of the program | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program at Stony Brook University offers high school students an opportunity to engage in hands-on research across physics and astronomy. As a Simons Fellow, you’ll become part of a research team, collaborate with faculty mentors, and take charge of your own research project. Throughout the summer, you’ll gain experience with lab techniques and attend lectures from faculty. The program also includes weekly workshops, campus tours, and special events to enrich your experience. After the program, you’ll share your work through a written abstract and a research poster presentation. Click here to explore the different Physics & Astronomy projects you can pursue.
11. Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics
Location: Hybrid (At Yale University, New Haven, CT)
Cost: $8,000; need-based financial aid is available
Cohort Size: 32
Dates: June 23 - August 3
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who must be 15.5 years or older by July 6
The Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics (YSPA) is a residential research program for 32 rising high school seniors with strong interests in science, math, and astrophysics. For four weeks, you’ll live on campus, attend classes at the Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium, and work in the computer lab to learn programming and data analysis. You’ll use Yale’s telescopes and remote observatories to gather data for your research project. At the program’s conclusion, you’ll write a scientific paper and present your findings at the YSPA mini-conference. The program offers hands-on research experience in a collaborative and academically rigorous environment.
12. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)
Location: Michigan State University
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 20 - 25
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Current high school student enrolled in a U.S. school | U.S. resident
The Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) program introduces high school students to nuclear physics and its connection to astrophysics and cosmology. Over the course of the program, you’ll attend lectures led by faculty, staff, and students at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). You’ll gain hands-on experience through experiments exploring the behavior of atomic nuclei, one of the smallest building blocks of matter. The program emphasizes the link between the microscopic nuclear domain and the vast scale of the universe. By participating, you’ll deepen your understanding of fundamental physics concepts.
13. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Cost/Stipend:
Dates: Spring Session: Mid-January to Early May | Summer Session: Late May to August | Fall Session: Late August to Mid-December
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22 | Spring: September 12
Eligibility: U.S. citizens | Full-time students (high school through graduate level) | Aged 16 at the time of application | Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s OSTEM internship program provides students with hands-on experience in areas such as science, technology, engineering, and space exploration. You will have the flexibility to work remotely or on-site at a NASA center, contributing to STEM projects that bring classroom concepts to life. Throughout the program, you’ll be guided by NASA mentors, helping you build technical expertise, improve problem-solving skills, and gain insight into the industry. With three application cycles each year, there are multiple chances to get involved in research and innovation. This internship is an excellent way to boost your resume, explore career options, and gain practical experience.
14. Research Experiences in Astronomy at CIERA for High School Students (REACH)
Location: Northwestern University, CIERA Evanston, IL
Cost: $2,500 for Core Program + $1,500 for REACH Further; full and partial tuition waivers are available
Cohort Size: 50-55
Dates: Core Program Dates: Session 1: June 16 – July 3 | Session 2: July 7 – 25
REACH Further Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 25 | Session 2: July 28 – August 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: High school students who are in grades 10-12 at the time of application
The REACH program at CIERA offers high school students an interactive introduction to astronomy research via team-style learning, hands-on training, and mentorship from professional scientists. Over three weeks, you’ll engage in astronomy research projects with CIERA astronomers, gain proficiency in Python, learn astronomy-specific tools, and complete research mini-projects under expert guidance. Activities also include observing at Dearborn Observatory, a college and career panel, and games with your peers. Students who complete the Core program may advance to REACH Further, a deeper, mentored research experience. Beginners are welcome; no previous coding or astronomy knowledge is necessary.
15. Summer Internship Program @ The Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy
Location: Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy, Marina, CA
Cost: $2,000; scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 8 - 10 weeks in the summer with flexible start and end dates
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors interested in astronomy, astrophysics, or related fields | Should have a background in high school science and mathematics, and a demonstrated interest in the physical sciences, engineering, or computer science
At MIRA’s Summer Internship Program, you will join research astronomers to study topics ranging from star formation, gravitational lenses, earth-threatening asteroids, comets, unusual stars, stellar flares, asteroseismology of evolved stars, polarimetry of stars and planets, and more. You will work individually with mentors on current research questions. You might also analyze NASA infrared images, study variable stars, or help integrate instruments at the Oliver Observing Station. Some of the past projects included Studies of variable and explosive stars, Computer models of stellar atmospheres, Photometry and discovery of T Tauri stars in the Pelican Nebula, etc. The program emphasizes hands-on experience with real astronomical data and equipment.
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