15 Online Science Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in exploring science, online programs give you a practical way to build skills and understand how scientific ideas are applied. Online science programs for high school students are a cost-effective option because they eliminate expenses like commuting, campus accommodation, and sometimes even physical textbooks. Participating in a selective online science program can boost your college applications by showing admissions officers that you were selected for a nationally competitive opportunity.
Online science programs allow you to gain valuable experience by working on research projects mentored by university faculty or industry experts. This can build your resume and foster critical thinking. Whether you’re curious about biology, physics, engineering, or environmental science, online science programs let you test your interests in a flexible format. With so many options available, we’ve identified the top 15 online science programs for high school students to help you find opportunities that align with your goals.
1. ASPIRE by Johns Hopkins
Location: Virtual | In-person (Baltimore, Maryland)
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; up to 200 students each summer
Dates: June – August (Summer Session) | September–May (Academic Year Session, optional)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 15 years old at the program start date | Minimum 2.8 GPA | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The ASPIRE program at Johns Hopkins’ Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) allows high school students to explore scientific fields through both virtual and in-person options. When you apply, you select one of eight areas, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, IT and cybersecurity, mathematics and data analysis, physics, or planetary science, as your primary focus. You work closely with APL mentors on research assignments that build your technical, analytical, and project-based skills. Your work may involve running simulations, interpreting data, or supporting engineering and computing tasks, depending on your chosen field. Throughout the program, you collaborate in a professional research environment and gain exposure to real scientific workflows.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (students can participate from anywhere)
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 25%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects high school students with remote internship placements at early-stage and fast-growing start-ups. In this program, you work directly with a manager at a company in fields such as technology, AI and machine learning, health tech, marketing, journalism, or consulting. Projects typically involve real company tasks, allowing you to build practical skills while contributing to ongoing work. Many partner start-ups operate in high-growth environments and have secured significant funding, which shapes the fast-paced nature of the assignments. Throughout the internship, you collaborate with professionals, develop workplace skills, and complete a final presentation summarizing your contributions.
3. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Internship Program
Location: Virtual | In-person (Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Some positions may offer a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically, small cohorts
Dates: 5 – 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, are graduating seniors when the internship begins, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In this program, you work alongside laboratory scientists or engineers on experimental or computational projects, which may involve coding, simulations, or using design tools such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Throughout the internship, you build skills in analytical thinking, data interpretation, and research collaboration, while gaining exposure to the structure and workflow of a professional research lab. You explore advanced scientific concepts in physics and engineering, which helps you understand how large-scale scientific research is conducted. The experience gives you a foundation in scientific investigation and problem-solving before entering college-level STEM studies.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, 1:1 mentor-student cohorts
Dates: By cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers a guided research experience for high school students. In this program, you work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to complete an independent research project over about 12 weeks, with some sessions lasting longer depending on the cohort. You can explore a wide range of subjects such as physics, psychology, economics, chemistry, engineering, data science, computer science, and international relations. During the program, you learn how to shape a research question, evaluate information, and strengthen your academic writing. Your work concludes with a full research paper based on your project, and you become eligible for a USCD Extended Studies credit.
5. Camp Zon by Zon Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; around 25 students per year
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older who live in Massachusetts and attend a Massachusetts high school
Camp Zon, offered by the Zon Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, is a paid virtual research program that introduces high school students to cancer biology and blood disorders. During the two-week session, you work in teams to design research studies focused on anemia using zebrafish as the model system. You develop hypotheses, plan experimental steps, and evaluate results, while lab scientists carry out the experiments live for students to observe remotely. The program includes lectures covering basic biology, disease mechanisms, and clinical relevance, along with training in reading scientific papers and learning introductory coding for data visualization. You also engage in mentorship discussions and career-focused panels.
6. High School Aerospace Scholars (NASA)
Location: Online (virtual); top students invited to Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; large cohort size
Dates: October – March
Application Deadline: September 27
Eligibility: High school juniors who are Texas residents and U.S. citizens
As a Texas high school junior, you can join the Texas High School Aerospace Scholars program to engage with NASA’s missions in space exploration, Earth science, aeronautics, and technology. You’ll complete a five-month online learning experience where you’ll gain skills in coding, computer-aided design (CAD), and engineering. If you perform at the top of your cohort, you’ll be invited to Moonshot, a five-day virtual summer program mentored by NASA scientists and engineers. Your team could even earn an all-expense-paid residential experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Throughout the program, you’ll work on hands-on projects, tackle engineering challenges, and develop teamwork and technical skills.
7. Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 80 – 100 students
Dates: July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: Typically, early May
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–11 at the time of application; students of any gender; international students welcome; first-generation and under-resourced students particularly encouraged
SPINWIP is a virtual summer outreach program hosted by Stanford Physics and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, designed to inspire high school students to explore physics. You’ll learn about topics like quantum physics, astrophysics, cosmology, and quantum computing, and gain coding experience in Python to apply to physics-based projects. The program includes lectures by Stanford professors, small group work with Stanford undergraduates, and college/career workshops. You’ll have opportunities for mentorship and collaboration while participating in a 3-week intensive schedule. No prior physics or coding knowledge is required, making it accessible for motivated students from diverse backgrounds.
8. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual | Hybrid | In-person (Fairfax, Virginia)
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee (waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10%; 15 – 20 interns per session
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old by June 18 at the start of the internship; must not have graduated from university before or during the internship
In this program, you’ll work one-on-one with faculty mentors on independent research projects across diverse fields, such as molecular medicine, neuroscience, bioengineering, computer science, robotics, astronomy, and environmental science. The internship provides hands-on experience with advanced laboratory equipment, data analysis, and research writing, while also developing your skills in scientific communication. Alongside research, you’ll participate in seminars, workshops, and discussion forums on coding, statistical modeling, analytical thinking, and career development. Past interns have contributed to projects ranging from antibiotic development to nanoscience and game design, with some work even published in scientific journals. The program culminates in a symposium where you present your research to peers, mentors, and faculty.
9. Harvard Undergraduate OpenBio Laboratory – Student Research Institute (SRI)
Location: Online (virtual research program)
Cost/Stipend: $20 application fee (fee waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~70 students selected
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students worldwide (grades 9–12)
In this program, you will explore fields such as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computational biology, bioinformatics, physics, engineering, computer science, neuroscience, genetics, and related areas. You spend the summer developing research skills in experimental design, scientific reading, data interpretation, and scientific writing while receiving personalized guidance throughout the process. You and your mentor co-design a project that aligns with your interests and your mentor’s expertise, giving you authentic insight into real scientific research. At the end of the program, you present your work to the SRI team and Harvard undergraduates to strengthen your communication skills. Exceptional projects may be supported for publication in an undergraduate research journal.
10. NYAS Junior Academy
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 5 – 7 members per team
Dates: Typically, February – May
Application Deadline: January 6
Eligibility: Students aged 13–17
The Junior Academy is a virtual program that connects high school students with an international community of peers to collaborate on solving STEM challenges. Over the course of the program, you will engage in innovation challenges that build critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. You dedicate three to four hours per week during challenge periods and receive mentorship and guidance throughout the process. You’ll have the chance to develop creative solutions to pressing global issues while learning from experts and interacting with like-minded peers worldwide. By participating, you gain valuable experience that strengthens your STEM knowledge, leadership skills, and global perspective.
11. Harvard Summer School – Secondary School Program
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $4,180 – $15,735, depending on type, duration, and number of credits, + $75 application fee; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; large cohort sizes
Dates: 7-Week Online: June 20 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12 who are 16 – 19 years old by the start of the program
In this program, you choose one or two online classes and follow a structured weekly schedule that includes live sessions, assignments, and independent study. Under the science and technology track, you can choose courses such as The Molecules of Life, Nature, and Industry, Quantum, Statistical, and Computational Foundations of Chemistry, User Experience Engineering, Technology and Spirituality, and Spaces, Mappings, and Mathematical Structures. You learn alongside peers from many countries and develop skills in time management, college-style reading, and academic communication. This online format lets you experience Harvard academics without relocating, while still engaging in a rigorous summer learning environment.
12. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $3,200 + $65 application fee; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically, around 16 students
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 26; Session 2: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8–11
In this two-week online program, you take one intensive, single-subject course designed around real-time, interactive learning. You attend daily live classes with instructors who are experts in their fields and guide you through advanced material rarely offered in high school. You explore STEM topics through hands-on projects, discussion-based sessions, and collaborative problem-solving with academically motivated peers from around the world. Science and tech options include courses in areas like artificial intelligence, engineering, bioscience, computer science, and mathematics. You also complete asynchronous assignments that prepare you for the next day’s sessions and help deepen your understanding.
13. University of Pennsylvania – Pre-College Online Program
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: 1 Course Unit: $8,462; 2 Course Units: $13,858 + $100 nonrefundable application fee; limited scholarships are available for Philadelphia residents
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Summer Session I: May 26 – July 1; Summer Session II: July 2 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; final deadline falls in early spring
Eligibility: Current 10th–11th grade high school students who have a minimum 3.5 GPA
In this online for-credit program, you enroll in real Penn undergraduate courses and complete the same assignments, papers, and exams as college students. You attend live classes two to five times a week and engage directly with Penn faculty and undergraduates in a rigorous academic setting. You can choose one or two science and math courses, such as Earth Systems Science, Modern Biology and Social Implications, Introduction to Calculus, Calculus Part I, or Ideas in Mathematics. Coursework includes readings, problem sets, research assignments, and graded assessments that follow Penn’s academic standards. By completing the program, you earn official Penn undergraduate credit that you may later request on a transcript.
14. Brown University – Summer@Brown Online
Location: Online (mostly asynchronous or blended)
Cost/Stipend: Varies as per duration between $3,364 – $6,520; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; cohort size varies as per individual programs
Dates: Varies as per course between June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12 (ages 14–18)
In this fully online program, you choose from Brown’s STEM and science offerings in areas such as biology, natural sciences, engineering, technology, medical and health sciences, physical sciences, and math. You learn through a mix of asynchronous modules, project work, discussions, and optional or required live sessions, depending on the course format. You typically spend 15+ hours per week completing readings, experiments, problem sets, lab-style investigations, and multimedia assignments designed to reflect Brown’s Open Curriculum. You receive personalized feedback from instructors and interact with peers through virtual office hours, workshops, or collaborative forums. When you finish the course, you earn a digital Certificate of Completion and a detailed Course Performance Report for any class lasting three weeks or longer.
15. Summer Research Program with Columbia University (The Coding School)
Location: Online (virtual with live instruction)
Cost/Stipend: Around $3,995; scholarships available; payment required only after acceptance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, limited cohort size
Dates: Five-week summer program
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Incoming 10th–12th-grade high school students and recent graduates
In this five-week virtual program, you build data science proficiency and apply those skills to research projects led by Columbia University faculty and PhD researchers. During the first two weeks, you receive intensive training in R programming, data visualization, data cleaning, web scraping, data analysis, and research methods. Over the next three weeks, you will work as a research assistant on active projects from the Columbia Data Science Institute, contributing to college-level research under faculty supervision. You also complete your own data-driven research project, which you present in formal lightning talks and full presentations. Throughout the program, you receive structured mentorship, technical instruction, and feedback from university researchers.
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