14 Fall Science Programs for High School Students
For high school students interested in biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental science, fall programs offer a valuable way to explore these subjects beyond the classroom. These opportunities allow you to engage with scientific problems, practice lab and fieldwork techniques, and learn from researchers, educators, and professionals in the field. Participating in a competitive science program can also help you stand out in the college admissions process by demonstrating your interest in the subject.
Unlike summer programs, fall programs are designed to fit into the academic year, and they’re often held after school, on weekends, or in flexible virtual formats. This structure gives you the chance to build scientific knowledge and skills without stepping away from your regular studies. Many programs emphasize collaboration, mentorship, and exposure to current scientific research and tools.
In this blog, we’ve compiled 14 fall science programs for high school students. Each program was selected for its academic depth and learning opportunities.
14 Fall Science Programs for High School Students
1. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Remote or in-person at NASA centers across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend awarded based on academic level and session duration
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by placement
Program Dates: 16 weeks (late August – mid-December)
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16+ with a GPA of 3.0+ who are full-time students
NASA Internship Programs offer high school students the chance to explore science and engineering in a professional research setting. You can participate in projects that cover areas like space science, engineering, data analysis, and technology development. The program provides exposure to the ways scientific teams collaborate and solve complex problems, with mentorship from NASA professionals. Both in-person and virtual options are available, making the program accessible to students across the country. You can gain insight into ongoing research and missions, observing how scientific concepts are applied in live contexts.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary 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!
Ladder Internships lets you participate in an 8-week virtual internship with startups and nonprofit organizations. You work on projects in areas such as technology, healthcare, finance, artificial intelligence, and environmental science. You’ll be paired with a mentor from your host organization, who provides guidance and feedback throughout the program. You gain insight into how professional teams operate and how projects progress from concept to completion. With a fully remote format, you can join from anywhere, exploring career paths and professional environments without relocation.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; highly selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Fall (September – December)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort; Fall (September)
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3/4.0
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a global research mentorship program for high school students founded by researchers from Harvard and Oxford. You work one-on-one with a PhD mentor from top universities to conceive, develop, and execute an independent research project in your field of interest. Over the course of the program, you engage in reading academic literature, designing experiments or analyses, receiving iterative feedback, and writing up results ready for publication. Throughout, you join a cohort of peers from around the world and take part in structured sessions and check-ins. Upon completion, your project may be submitted to academic journals or conferences, and you are eligible to receive credit through a partnership with UC San Diego Extended Studies.
4. MIT PRIMES
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; highly selective
Program Dates: Year-long, with distinct phases that align with the academic year
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and sophomores from Greater Boston
The MIT PRIMES (Program for Research in Mathematics, Engineering, and Science for High School Students) is a year-long research program organized by MIT. You work with a graduate or postdoctoral mentor on projects in mathematics, computer science, or computational biology. The program is structured into stages that include reading background material, conducting research, continuing independent study, and preparing a final paper. You write progress reports and present your findings at the PRIMES conference in October. For students outside the Boston area, PRIMES-USA provides remote mentorship through regular online meetings. Projects focus on current open problems, with guidance and review from your mentor throughout the research process.
5. Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP)
Location: Virtual or in person at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) in Cambridge, MA
Stipend: Paid; exact amount not disclosed
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; highly selective
Program Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: May 10
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 attending Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
The Harvard-Smithsonian Science Research Mentoring Program (SRMP) is a year-long mentoring program in astrophysics offered by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian. You join a team of 2–3 students matched with a CfA astronomer or researcher from September through May. Meetings take place weekly, and you also attend monthly advisory sessions. Mentorship can be in person or virtual, and you have access to lectures as part of the curriculum. Over the year, you investigate a research topic in astrophysics, receive feedback from your mentor, and refine your work. At the end, you present your results in talks and posters at a symposium organized by Harvard.
6. Textron Aviation Internships
Location: Various U.S. locations; primarily in the HQs at Wichita, KS
Stipend: Paid internship (amount not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; highly selective
Program Dates: 6-week program; exact dates vary by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort
Eligibility: High school students at least 16 years old who are U.S. citizens
The Textron Aviation Students & Grads program introduces students and recent graduates to career pathways in aviation. You can join through internships, co-ops, or structured development tracks such as the Leadership Development, Sales Development, Pilot Development, and Aftermarket Development Programs. You will get to take on responsibilities similar to those of full-time employees and may earn academic credit for your work. In the development tracks, you rotate through different departments, receive mentorship, and contribute to ongoing business projects. The program also includes outreach opportunities for high school students and educators through internships, facility tours, and classroom visits that provide exposure to aviation careers.
7. California Academy of Sciences – Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid; exact amount not disclosed
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; highly selective
Program Dates: After school and weekends, multi-year and year-round (2-3 years till graduation)
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Underrepresented 9th or 10th graders in an SFUSD school with a 2.5 GPA and a grade C or higher in math and science, who can commit to 2-3 years of attendance
Careers in Science (CiS) is a multi-year, year-round internship and youth development program at the California Academy of Sciences. You participate as a high school intern conducting fieldwork outdoors and facilitating science communication on public floors on Saturdays and during summer weekdays. You attend bi-monthly trainings in science topics, careers, and skills like communication and civic engagement. You join project groups that work with Academy researchers or partners on research or environmental action projects. You may also serve on the CiS Leadership Council, mentor or be mentored by Academy experts, and contribute to exhibit or educational content design. Additionally, you can present at STEM conferences, go on college tours, and engage with the broader scientific community.
8. Wildlife Conservation Society | Bronx Zoo Project TRUE
Location: Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY
Stipend: $350 for the Fall session
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; highly selective
Program Dates: Starts in the summer and continues in the Fall with meetings on 14 Saturdays from September – December
Application Deadline: Late March
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors who are Bronx residents
Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology) is an urban ecology internship run by the Bronx Zoo’s Education team in partnership with Fordham University. You conduct field research throughout New York City on topics like mammal distribution, bird communities, water quality, and invasive species. You learn how to collect and analyze data, develop science communication materials, and follow the scientific process through an authentic research project. You work in small teams paired with undergraduate mentors and receive guidance from WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) staff. You present your findings to peers, scientists, and the public. After the summer component, the program continues into the fall with Saturday meetings and supports alumni through youth networks and research mentoring consortia.
9. The American Psychological Association (APA) Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on specific internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by opportunity
Program Dates: Varies based on specific internship
Application Deadline: Varies based on the specific internship
Eligibility: Open to high school students; high school students under 18 must submit an official District of Columbia Work Permit
The APA Internship Program offers year-round, remote internships in the American Psychological Association. You work within APA departments on ongoing projects ranging from research and policy to communication and administrative tasks. You collaborate with staff and other interns, contributing to APA’s operations and initiatives. The program features training sessions in professional skills, organizational mission, and departmental workflows. You also have opportunities to present work internally or support APA publications and reports. After the internship, interns become part of APA’s network, connecting with staff and alumni across the organization.
10. DNA Learning Center Urban Barcode Research Program
Location: DNA Learning Center, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; varies annually
Program Dates: August – May (academic year program)
Application Deadline: May 27
Eligibility: High school students in NYC who are at least 13 years old
The Urban Barcode Research Program (UBRP) is a student research mentorship program for New York City high school students centered on biodiversity studies using DNA barcoding. You begin by completing a training course covering biodiversity, conservation biology, and lab techniques. Then you partner with a researcher mentor to design your own project involving fieldwork, DNA isolation, amplification, and sequence analysis. Over the academic year, you commit to at least 55 hours of research, guided by your mentor. At the end, you present your findings at a student symposium.
11. Los Alamos National Laboratory Internship
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Cost/Stipend: Paid; rate based on position and hours
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies annually
Program Dates: Fall: August – September
Application Deadline: Fall: September 30
Eligibility: High school seniors who are at least 16 years of age with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and attend a high school in northern New Mexico
The Los Alamos National Laboratory Internship gives you the chance to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business within a national research setting. You work alongside laboratory staff on ongoing projects that reflect real scientific and operational challenges. Depending on the department, your tasks may involve assisting with experiments, collecting and analyzing data, or supporting administrative and technical functions. You get to observe how professionals in different disciplines collaborate to advance the lab’s work while building your understanding of workplace practices. During the academic year, you typically work part-time.
12. BioBus Junior Scientist Internships
Location: LES Community Lab, New York, NY (for LES Jr Scientist internship) | BioBase Harlem at Columbia University (for Harlem Women in STEM internship and Harlem Jr Scientist internship)
Stipend: $16.50/hr
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies annually
Program Dates: October – July
Application Deadline: August 17
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11, attending a NYC school in the Lower East Side, Chinatown, Harlem, Washington Heights, or Inwood.
The BioBus Junior Scientist Internship is a year-long research and teaching program based in New York City. You work on independent research projects under the mentorship of professional scientists, using advanced microscopes and lab equipment to collect and analyze data. Alongside research, you teach and mentor younger students through BioBus’s mobile labs, weekend programs, and outreach events. The internship integrates lab work with science communication, giving you experience in presenting scientific ideas to different audiences. You participate in professional development sessions, research discussions, and workshops with experts. As a participant, you will have to balance both research and teaching responsibilities while contributing to science outreach in local communities.
13. The Kamin Science Center Teen Volunteer Program
Location: Kamin Science Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies annually
Program Dates: Varies each year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students at least 14 years old by the application deadline
The Kamin Science Center Teen Volunteer Program engages teens in supporting visitor experiences across exhibits and special programs. You assist visitors in galleries, help with live science demonstrations or planetarium shows, and guide hands-on interactions in maker spaces like the Fab Lab. Training covers both volunteer methods and specific science topics, making a prior background unnecessary. You will interact with guests, for instance, at the USS Requin submarine exhibit, where you will provide interpretive information. The program runs in two sessions, each with set hour commitments per week and opportunities to volunteer at camps or during regular museum operations.
14. Alley Pond's Field Biology Internships
Location: Alley Pond Park, Douglaston, NY
Cost: $150; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies annually
Program Dates: Saturdays, September 27 – November 1
Application Deadline: August 1
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 14 years old
The Alley Pond Environmental Center Field Biology Internship is a seasonal program for high school students interested in ecology and environmental science. You explore local ecosystems around Alley Pond Park and other sites in Queens, collecting data through biodiversity surveys, soil and water sampling, bird observations, and macroinvertebrate identification. You also assist in habitat restoration tasks such as native flora planting and coastal seining. You meet with environmental professionals, receive training in research design, and learn how to present findings to peers.
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