15 Internships for High School Students in Frederick, MD
If you're a high school student looking to explore careers and build skills beyond the classroom, internships can be a valuable option. They give you a chance to work on projects, develop practical skills like communication and critical thinking, and gain exposure to industries ranging from healthcare to research and technology. Many internships are affordable - or even paid - and are hosted by respected colleges, labs, and organizations.
We've handpicked the top 14 internships for high school students in Frederick, MD, for you below. Whether you’re exploring college options, planning your career path, or just want valuable experience, an internship can be a strong addition to your resume.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort-based
Dates: Rolling cohorts; generally run for 8 weeks, with flexible start dates
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Open to high school students (Grades 9–12)
Cost: Varies depending on program type; need-based financial aid is available
Ladder Internships is a remote program that matches high school students with startups and nonprofits for an 8-week internship experience. You work closely with founders, industry experts, and mentors on projects in fields such as marketing, research, tech, design, public policy, and more. Each student is placed with an organisation based on their interests and goals, and supported through weekly mentorship, skill-building workshops, and community meetups. You’ll also gain access to resume-building guidance and project work, along with the chance to build a strong network of peers and professionals.
2. Werner H. Kirsten Student Intern Program (WHK-SIP) – National Cancer Institute at Frederick
Location: National Cancer Institute at Frederick, MD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 30–40 students accepted annually
Dates: Summer (8 weeks, full-time), school-year (3 hours per day)
Application Deadline: Application portal opens mid-November and closes mid-January
Eligibility: High school seniors attending a Frederick County public school; must be at least 17 years old by June 15
Stipend: approximately $3600
The Werner H. Kirsten Student Intern Program offers a year-long research internship for high school seniors interested in biomedical sciences. You will be placed in a lab or support unit at the NCI-Frederick campus, working full-time during the summer and part-time throughout the school year. You'll assist with molecular biology experiments, cell culture, data analysis, or scientific communication, depending on your assigned lab. A research mentor will guide your progress as you participate in workshops, lab meetings, and professional development sessions. The program concludes with a research symposium where you will present your work.
3. NASA OSTEM Internship – Goddard Space Flight Center
Location: Glenn Dale, MD (in‑person)
Dates: Summer session: 10 weeks (late May–August) Other sessions: Spring (16 weeks, mid-January–early May) & Fall (16 weeks, late Aug–mid-December)
Application Deadline: Typically in April for summer intake
Eligibility: High school student (sophomore–senior), at least 16 years old
Stipend: Based on academic level and session length
If you’ve ever imagined working with rocket scientists or contributing to space missions, this internship might be your first step. At NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (just over an hour from Frederick), you’ll work on STEM-based projects alongside professionals in engineering, coding, data science, space systems, or outreach. The experience requires you to dedicate around 40 hours a week during the 10-week summer session. You’ll learn how NASA teams collaborate, how research gets implemented, and how large federal science agencies operate day-to-day.
4. NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: Gaithersburg, MD (in‑person at NIST campus)
Dates: June – August (approx. 8 weeks)
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Must be 16+
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; small cohort of U.S. high school juniors & seniors
Participants are paired with NIST scientists and engineers in one of six labs - including engineering, IT, materials science, and neutron research - to work on cutting-edge research projects. You’ll gain hands-on laboratory or computational experience, attend seminars, and complete a cohesive eight-week research assignment, culminating in a presentation at program end. Each of NIST’s six labs has a distinct focus, ranging from sustainable construction and cybersecurity to nanomaterials and quantum physics. Students are encouraged to explore the labs’ research areas and choose placements that align with their academic interests in fields like computer science, chemistry, physics, and engineering.
5. Frederick County Health Department Internship
Location: Frederick County Health Department, Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD (in-person)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: Rolling; internships fill quickly and require school approval
Eligibility: Must be a high school student, with approval from your school to participate
Cost/Stipend: None, unpaid; most internships are volunteer-based
Through the Frederick County Health Department Internship, you can choose a public health area (such as communicable disease, environmental health, epidemiology, or community outreach) and complete an online application indicating your interests and availability. Interns work under the supervision of departmental staff and gain exposure to public health programs. Depending on your placement, you might assist with awareness campaigns, review public data, or support wellness initiatives in schools and neighborhoods. You must coordinate schedules with your school and are responsible for arranging your own transportation.
6. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort size
Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Mid-March
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and undergraduates interested in AI, medicine, and health equity; prior coding experience is recommended but not required
Stipend: Provided
This virtual internship introduces students to the intersection of artificial intelligence, medicine, and health disparities. You will work on projects under the mentorship of Stanford faculty and researchers, attend weekly speaker sessions and workshops, and gain experience in data science, clinical research, and responsible AI development. The program culminates in a research presentation and aims to build pathways for students from historically underrepresented communities in STEM and healthcare.
7. EnergyMag Virtual Internship
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited
Dates: Half-time (20 hrs/week): Summer only, for 2 to 8 weeks | Quarter-time (8 hrs/week): Available year-round, lasting 1 to 9 months
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class, and maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher
Cost/Stipend: None
This remote internship involves researching and analyzing a specific energy-related company, technology, or market under the guidance of a mentor. You will conduct independent research, contact relevant experts, and draft a professional analysis report, which may be published on EnergyMag’s website. Interns stay in regular contact with their mentors via digital platforms and receive a Letter of Accomplishment upon successful completion. Along the way, you can expect to gain experience in professional communication, information synthesis, and clear analytical writing.
8. Frederick County Fire & Rescue Services High School Work-Based Learning Internship Program
Location: Frederick County Public Safety Training Facility, MD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited slots available
Dates: Begins in August; follows the Frederick County Public School calendar
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; students are advised to speak with their high school Work-Based Learning Coordinator in advance
Eligibility: Must be a high school junior or senior, at least 16 years old; must become a volunteer member of a Frederick County fire/rescue corporation; must pass a physical exam Cost/Stipend: None
The Frederick County Fire & Rescue Services High School Work-Based Learning Internship gives students the opportunity to train alongside local fire and rescue professionals. The program begins with GEAR UP orientation, which includes CPR, NIMS, TIMS, SCBA training, and facility tours. In this two-year program, first-year students attend weekday classes and skill sessions at the Public Safety Training Facility, and second-year students are assigned to field stations for response experience. Participants build essential firefighter, EMS, and rescue skills, complete an internship manual, and take part in both emergency and non-emergency calls.
9. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences (JHIBS)
Location: In-person at Johns Hopkins Neurology (East Baltimore, MD) or virtual nationwide
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: In-person: 8 weeks during June–August, Virtual: 5 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: December 1–March 1 each year
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors
Stipend: In-person interns earn an hourly stipend ($11–15/hr) and receive transportation support; virtual participants receive a $500 honorarium
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences offers a mentored research experience in neurology and neuroscience. As a participant, you’ll engage in scientific reading, attend seminars, complete research assignments, and present your findings in a final symposium. In-person interns work directly with research teams at Johns Hopkins, while virtual interns receive structured remote guidance and complete similar training through digital platforms. In-person interns also take part in clinical rotations and attend weekly development sessions, while virtual participants engage in educational presentations, lab technique training, and mentorship activities.
10. Maryland Public Television (MPT) Internship
Location: In‑person or hybrid at MPT’s studios in Owings Mills, MD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; placements open to high school juniors and seniors, college, and graduate students
Dates: Summer Session: June 2 – August 15, Fall Session: September 10 – December 15, Spring Session: January 28 – May 15
Application Deadline: Varies per session; refer to online postings
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid for high school interns
During this internship, you’ll work alongside production teams on television programming, development, community engagement, and administrative operations. Tasks can include research, field and studio shoot assistance, post-production work, communications or PR duties, IT support, or event coordination. You’ll gain insight into the full lifecycle of broadcast production and public media operations while building technical and collaborative skills in a professional environment.
Location: Primarily Annapolis, MD, with opportunities across the state
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by position; competitive depending on role
Dates: 10–12 weeks in June–August (Summer) or October–December (Fall)
Application Deadline: Varies by internship; summer roles open in February, fall in July
Eligibility: High school or college students (minimum 2.5 GPA)
Cost/Stipend: Both paid and volunteer internships available
As a Maryland DNR intern, you’ll gain field-based experience working on conservation and environmental projects. Interns may inspect marinas, assist with shoreline restoration, collect biological samples, or support fisheries and wildlife programs. The program emphasizes hands-on work, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, ending with a final presentation to DNR staff. It’s an excellent opportunity for students exploring careers in environmental science, ecology, or natural resource management.
12. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: In-person at local nonprofit placement (varies by city)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 300 students selected annually across the U.S.
Dates: 8-week summer program, typically late June to early August
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors and seniors (must be legal U.S. residents)
Stipend: Paid; students receive a paid internship at a local nonprofit (35 hours/week) + all expenses covered for the D.C. summit
As a Student Leader, you will be placed with a nonprofit organization in your community to develop leadership skills, civic engagement experience, and workplace readiness. The program includes a week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will connect with peers from across the country and engage in workshops on leadership, social justice, and public service. Through the internship and summit, you’ll gain insight into how nonprofits, businesses, and government work together to strengthen communities.
13. NIH High School Scientific Training and Enrichment Program (HiSTEP)
Location: In‑person at NIH campus, Bethesda, MD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; open to rising 12th graders from DC/VA/MD
Dates: July 2 – August 1 (5 weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically closes mid-January
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors; minimum 3.0 GPA
Stipend: Monthly stipend $2,150
The HiSTEP program at the National Institutes of Health is designed to increase the representation of underserved and underrepresented students in the biomedical sciences. Over the course of five weeks, you’ll participate in career readiness workshops, lab visits, and group projects, with exposure to research topics in biology, medicine, and public health. You will work in a cohort environment and benefit from access to NIH staff scientists and mentors. In addition to technical training, you will explore the broader landscape of STEM and biomedical careers through workshops, lectures, and skill-building activities designed to deepen your understanding of scientific research and its impact.
14. Exelon Foundation STEM Academy
Location: In-person, University of Maryland, College Park
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; young women in STEM focus
Dates: July 20-July 25 (1-week residential program)
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Female students currently in 10th or 11th grade
Cost/Stipend: Free, each participant receives an iPad
This one-week residential STEM academy is designed for young women with a strong interest in science, technology, engineering, and sustainability. The program includes interactive labs, activities, energy-themed challenges, field trips, and professional development workshops. You'll also have the opportunity to connect with Exelon engineers, sustainability experts, and academic researchers. Beyond technical learning, the program also emphasizes leadership, problem-solving, and career exploration in clean energy and STEM innovation.
15. Summer Academy of Actuarial & Mathematical Sciences (SAAMS)
Location: Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 30 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising 11th or 12th graders
Stipend: At least $600
SAAMS is a math-intensive summer enrichment program that introduces students to actuarial science, computer programming, and advanced statistics. The five-week curriculum includes mathematical modeling, college-level coursework, field trips to industry sites, and workshops on college readiness and financial literacy. The goal is to prepare students for success in math-related majors and careers while exposing them to opportunities in insurance, finance, and STEM. You will also receive mentoring and guidance from professionals and university faculty.